~O~

Dear Old Uncle Sanguine

The fortress of Morvunskar wasn't welcoming.

Anja was attacked my several mages upon entering the territory. Spells fired at her from all sides and Trunks was struck in the chest with a bolt of fire, sending Anja tumbling across the dirt and grass in a painful flurry of limbs. She looked back at Trunks upon gaining her senses and noticed several skeletons were ripping him to pieces. The horrible scream of agony emitted from the horse chilled her blood.

"Dammit... I see Twilight was smart to always run..." she muttered. "Idiot horse."

Anja fought her way into the fort and kept herself against the wall. She could make out the sounds of conversation in another room and peered around the corner. Two warlocks were sitting by a forge. One - a male warlock - was working on a sword while another - a female warlock - observed this.

"They drink all day and night and what do I do?" the male warlock muttered.

The female sighed and rolled her eyes. "You work the forge."

"Why do they need me to do this? We use magic, not weapons. I swear they make me do this for a laugh. At least I'm not dealing with the prisoners down below."

"Yeah, I don't know how I feel about what goes on down there."

"I bet Naris gets a kick out it. Nasty fella he is."

Anja made her way around them and avoided being seen.

Meanwhile, at the Shivering Isles, Sheogorath was just returning from his trip, in quite decent spirits. He didn't even notice the peculiar condition Elli was in when he entered the throne room. Haskill was beside her and they had been talking, just as their lord entered.

"I have had a marvelous time!" Sheogorath announced. "It's quite refreshing to meet an old insane, dead patriarch every so often!"

He noticed that he had received no response.

"Well what's all this then?" Sheogorath asked, smiling. "Why so glum, Elli? Well...why so glum more than usual?"

Haskill went on to explain what had happened with Relmyna and Elli's visit with her sister. The Dark Seducers had even put in a word as well that all of what Haskill said was true. Strangely enough, Sheogorath had grown silent; it was an unnerving change in the Mad God.

"Haskill?" Sheogorath smiled once more at his chamberlain. "Be a dear and retrieve Relmyna for me. Tell her she's welcome to New Sheoth."

Haskill's voice never changed, despite his apparent surprise. "My Lord?"

"Herdir can't lose his touch, you know." Sheogorath informed him.

Haskill seemed to understand something Elli missed, but nodded and disappeared in a puff of violet smoke.

Sheogorath turned to Elli and shushed her soft whimpering sounds like a child, placing his arms around her and patting her head. "Ahh, did I not tell you?" he said. "No matter what happens, you will always find your way to me. Such is your fate, my little wolf pup."

"She lied to me..." Elli hated how infantile she sounded.

"That she did."

"Why? I don't understand what I did to merit such a fate."

"You were born." Sheogorath replied, with a small laugh. "A spirit of such imagination and freedom, born into a boring world attempting to be sane. Sooner or later, they all fall into my kingdom. But I don't turn away a good maniac. I never will. They will all fall out of control eventually."

Elli frowned up at him. "We need some control."

"No, we don't. Humanity craves it. They crave insanity. The ability to lose it all and never again know the deep, boring cut of order."

Elli let out a miserable sound. "I wish I was never born..."

"Now now, let's not make wishes that I could make come true." Sheogorath laughed. "Come now, lass. I have a gift that'll bring you back to your crazy, plotting self in no time!"

Elli frowned at him when he took her hand and helped her to her feet. "Gift?"

"That's right! See, I had Haskill retrieve Relmyna for a good reason!" Sheogorath continued. "The lass certainly knows how to make your teeth itch, but she's quite skilled when it comes to flesh and torture. However, I see now that her use has run its course. She shouldn't have told you what you needed to know just yet. Only I do that sort of thing. Like just now!"

Elli still didn't follow.

"Herdir!" Sheogorath called.

An older Imperial man in patchwork walked into the throne room. He regarded Elli with a nonchalant look. "My Lord. How may I help you?" he acknowledged, nodding to Sheogorath.

"We're bringing a new plaything for you!" Sheogorath announced.

"Delightful! I was getting rather fidgety."

Elli wasn't sure why she was waiting as long as she was, but when Haskill returned with Remlyna and Nanette, she tensed furiously and started to lunge, but the Mad God took her wrist with a smile on his face before approaching the two women. Relmyna seemed pleased beyond all imagination.

"My Lord!" she exclaimed. "You've FINALLY brought me here!"

Sheogorath chuckled. "Yes, but for reasons your wee little brain might not consider." He looked to his palace staff and smiled brightly. "I've decided to take a second. Someone who would stand beside me as my equal! This mortal has certainly proven she's mad enough to stand by my side! Yes, you heard it here, my delightful minions! I'm going to take a wife!"

Haskill's brows rose and the entire palace was alive with chatter. The Dark Seducers and Golden Saints started talking all at once.

"Yes, yes, I realize I haven't had a bride in some time!" Sheogorath told them, raising his hands to silence the chatter. "The last one lost her head! I'm sure we remember that messy, sordid affair, don't we?"

Elli glanced at Haskill questionably and the chamberlain made a simple gesture suggesting decapitation.

"But, I think it's time to settle down a bit, take a bride, make wee little mad monsters...the whole thing!" Sheogorath continued. "And I know the perfect lady for the job."

Relmyna seemed so confident that it would be her, but Sheogorath instead turned to Elli, backed away a little and smiled, pointing.

"You." he said.

Elli blinked once. Twice. "Excuse me?"

"You got mushrooms in your ears, lass? I've had mushrooms in my ears once. I wouldn't recommend it." Sheogorath laughed. "I've been waiting for you, or someone like you, or someone other than you, for some time. Since the day of your birth, I watched you. I knew you were perfect. Well, not at perfect as me, of course. But perfect enough for me."

Relmyna stepped up in disbelief. "W-What is this, my Lord?" she cried. "You choose her?! THAT THING OVER ME?!"

Sheogorath looked at her and his voice took on a slightly darker note. "Hold your tongue, little minion, or I'll tear it from your mouth." he told her. "YOU told Elli about the truth when she wasn't ready to learn yet. You've been a good tool, Relmyna; but alas, I have no use for broken tools." Then, he giggled and looked at Elli. "Woops! I guess the cat's out of the bag on that one! Who puts cats in bags anyhow? Cats HATE bags."

Relmyna started forward in some desperate attempt to be rid of Elli, but Sheogorath raised a single finger, sending the Dunmer woman flying back with little effort.

"Herdir? I think Relmyna forgot her place." he told the torturer. "See that she finds where she put it."

Relmyna was forced to her feet by the Dark Seducers there, sobbing bitterly. "No!" she wailed. "My Lord, please!"

"Now now, don't make such a scene." Herdir told her, following them. "Screams can come later."

Sheogorath smiled brightly and turned to Elli. "Time for a celebration... Cheese for everyone! Wait, scratch that. Cheese for no one. That can be just as much of a celebration, if you don't like cheese, true? You've run a maze like a good little rat. But no cheese for you yet. Well, maybe a little."

Elli actually managed a small smile.

O

Anja faced a portal.

She had no idea where this portal would go. She could see through the shimmering veil beautiful lights, a thick grove and flowers. Something about it seemed welcoming, but Anja knew that nothing like that was at it seemed. She was looking for Sam and it seemed like this portal would take her exactly where she needed to go.

So she stepped through.

Anja entered a misty grove of streams, lanterns and beautiful flowers. She was actually pleasantly surprised by such a sight. She followed a path of lanterns and it led her to a clearing where she spotted several men sitting at a table. And sure enough, Sam was among them.

He smiled brightly when he saw her.

"You made it!" he said, approaching. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't."

Anja frowned. "Yeah, it was quite something." she murmured. "So where is...this place?"

Sam chuckled. "I thought you might not remember your first trip here." he told her. "You had a big night. I think you definitely earned that staff."

"Staff." Anja looked a little perplexed. "I hope all this was worth the trouble."

"It was, it was." Sam assured her. "You see..."

Suddenly, he disappeared in a swirl of violet and black and in his place now stood a taller being in Daedric armor, bright red war paint and gnarled horns.

"I really just needed you to have an incentive to go out into the world and spread merriment!" he said. "And you did just that! I haven't been this entertained in two-hundred years!"

Anja looked startled. "Who are you?"

"Sanguine. Daedric Prince of Debauchery!" The Daedric Prince gave a funny bow.

At the annoyed look, Sanguine went on to explain himself. "Yeah, yeah, I know. How could I lie to you? But how could I know I could trust you until we had a few drinks? Anyway, it wasn't long until I realized you'd make a much more interesting bearer of my not-so-holy staff than this waste of flesh."

Anja scowled. "I've got a bruise on my head, I smell like something a goat shat out and I'm covered in mead stains." she snapped.

"Hey, a small price to pay for bliss." Sanguine shrugged. "Besides, some guys like that 'au naturale' look in a woman."

"So why me?"

Sanguine put his arm around Anja's shoulders and ushered her away from his followers. "Let's be honest here," he told her. "I don't always think my decisions through. But you? You're going places. A nudge from your dear old uncle Sanguine might help you out a bit."

Anja frowned at him. "So this is your big trick? Huh? Making people get drunk and run around like maniacs?"

"Doesn't take much - hardly a push." Sanguine replied, with a nonchalant shrug. "Mortals are too much fun these days. They're always starving for something. I'm just the kind of guy who tries to fill their aching need. Hunger doesn't just come from the body, it also comes from the soul."

"That's funny. Bercause I'm as sane as I ever was." Anja snapped. "You're little trick didn't work."

Sanguine smiled down at her. "Yes. I've noticed that from the moment you stood beside me." he said. "Most mortals who bask in my presence are immediately thrown. They get nuttier than skeever scat! There's something interesting about you that I can just keep on using. Humans have limits, but you..."

He placed a hand on her chest and Anja winced a little. She glanced up at the Prince and Sanguine's smile broadened with delight. "Yes. I see. That's one deep, dark void you've got there, my dear minion. You just can't fill it, can you? Not with food or mead. Not even with sex. I'm an expert to these things, you know. You can smirk and joke and lie to your half-blood sister, lie to yourself, but not to me. That is my kingdom. I can see inside you, Anja Bjansen. I can see how broken you feel, how defeated. You want to waste away into my kingdom."

Anja stared at him and for the longest time, said nothing. She didn't know what to say. A nagging part of her felt wounded by his words.

What if he's right?

Sanguine smiled and clasped his hands together. "Don't worry. You're not like everyone else. You'll never die from drinking too much. You're the exception that proves the rule. Just the way...dear old Akatosh wanted you to be. And just the way I would love you to be."

He turned and gestured to one of his followers. They departed and Anja's eyes widened when she noticed Twilight brought out. Sanguine took the reigns and led the horse to Anja.

"How in Talos' name...?" she gasped, taking the reigns from the Daedric Prince.

Sanguine smiled. "Your horse told me how high-strung you get. He also wants you to stop kicking his ribs so hard. Also, the only reason he runs is to lure monsters away from you. That is one loyal animal." he told her. When she looked at him strangely, he laughed. "Old Sanguine has quite the animal magnetism!"

Anja rolled her eyes.

"I suppose I should thank you."

"Nah." Sanguine waved his hand. "Just bear my staff and call on me when you need someone to have a good time with."

Sure enough, a green staff was tied to Anja's pack. It had a beautiful rose on the end.

"Okay." she said. "I suppose that's fair."

Sanguine patted her shoulder. "You take care of yourself, Anja. And relax. It'll all work out. You'll see."

He left a passing gesture with one finger to her cheek. It felt almost intimate and Anja was a little ashamed by her blush. Sanguine raised his hand and before she knew it, she vanished along with her horse.

They reappeared in Candlehearth Hall and the patrons let out cries of disbelief.

"GET THAT HORSE OUT OF HERE!" Elda shouted.

Really? Anja had literally just appeared out of nowhere and they were questioning the fact that Twilight was in the building?

Meanwhile, Elli wandered the palace that night and found herself in the cemetery.

She stared down at a few of the headstones.

In memory of Ahjazda. The world wasn't coming to an end - only her.

In memory of Big Head. Completely Forked.

Vilval Telaram was thrown in this hole.

Here lies Blaise Sette. Faster than the wind, dumber than a stump.

Sickly Bernice - This time, she was right.

I think his name was Bolwing.

In memory of Raven Biter. He was one crazy son of a bitch.

Hirrus Clutumnus never felt like he fit in anywhere. He fits in a coffin quite nicely, now.

Fimmion died hungry, or at least he thought he was.

In memory of Gloorolros. Sticks and stones broke his bones.

Helene the Deaf. She never heard it coming.

Elli found the headstones amusing in the worst way. She actually giggled a little and it disturbed her. Maybe Sheogorath was right. Maybe it was time to just accept what she was. She had nothing more left in the outside world to exist for, so why not just lose it all?

It was easier.

She glanced back when she noticed Sheogorath approach with that same cheerfully mad smile on his face. "I've got a surprise for you, love!" he said.

Elli stood up and her eyes widened when she noticed a massive hound-like daedra appear behind Sheogorath as well as a large, drifting Ice Wraith. They looked familiar to her and she had a feeling they knew her as well, given the way they willingly approached without argument.

"Ysmir?" she exclaimed, "Akhos?"

"Pre-wedding gifts!" Sheogorath told her.

Ysmir resembled a bear than that dog she used to know. He had a large, drooling mouth with crooked fangs and yellow, daedric eyes. His paws were massive, human-like weapons of destruction and his large ears were tipped. She recognized the purring creature because of the scar across his side where... Oh, yes. When Ysmir had been wounded from a saber cat, Valund had forced Elli to kill her beloved pet. He said it was "merciful", but Elli hadn't thought so. She had tried to heal him, but she had been so young...so naive and foolish. Her "father" had made her crush his body.

Akhos was a beast of pure ice and fog, only she had larger teeth, flaring red eyes and terrifying facial features. She made rattling sounds of content when Elli rubbed her head.

"How?" she asked, looking at the Prince.

Sheogorath laughed gently. "Really? You have to ask a Daedric Prince that?"

"I suppose I don't."

"Come then. We have much planning to do."

And this time, Elli didn't argue.

O

Ulfric studied Anja in silence.

She stood before the Jarl, mildly perplexed by his stare. "What?" she asked.

"I'm simply attempting to decide whether or not you are truly Stromcloak material." Ulfric said, frowning.

Anja chuckled bitingly. "Really? I'm trying to decide whether or not I should have to deal with this."

"What happened?" Ulfric asked, ignoring her tone. "What drove you to such recklessness?"

Anja sighed, annoyed. "My sister's given up on me and fled to be with a Daedric Prince, if you must know." she snapped. "Some of us aren't as strong as you, oh mighty Jarl Ulfric. We can't shake off our pains so easily and pretend like they don't even exist. So, forgive me for not owning up to your expectations."

Ulfric squinted at her. "Is THAT what you think I do?"

He stepped down from his throne and approached her. She stood strong, glaring up at him as he faced her. His features were as hard as stone, but there was also a glimmer of pain there.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not feel agony from my losses." he said, "Never a single second that passes where I don't think all the hatred I feel may consume me. I feel pain for the loss of my father, the men and women who die while serving underneath my banner. There may be days that I want to drink all my despairs away, but that is something I just cannot do."

"At least not this second." Galmar quipped from the other room.

Ulfric glanced sideways in his direction. "Yes, Galmar..."

Anja let out a sigh.

"It's...just been difficult for all of us, I suppose." she said.

Ulfric nodded his head in agreement. "That it has. But we can use our pain for a better purpose than simply mourning the loss of our loved ones." he replied. "We can use all of our anger, hate, despair and fuel our drive to bring down the Imperial Beast once and for all."

"Yes."

Anja was surprised at how quickly she agreed.

Maybe it was time for a change after all.

Of course, Sanguine had his own opinion to add when she returned to Candlehearth Hall.

"I saw that, you know." he said, folding his arms across his chest.

Anja frowned back at him. "Saw what?"

A smirk slithered onto the Daedric Prince's lips. "You like him, don't you?"

"What? I do not. I simply believe he has a point." Anja argued, as she walked to her room. Luckily, no one was around to have a heart attack from the sight of the Daedric Prince walking alongside her. "Ulfric is quite insufferable on his own, but I feel the Imperial Beast must be slain."

Sanguine chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, right. Of course. That's all it is."

"I'm telling you, it is. Now go away so I can sleep."

"Go away?" Sanguine made a false, hurt expression. "You wound me, little princess."

"And don't call me that. For the love of Talos, do NOT call me that."

Sanguine grinned at her. "Ah okay, I can take a hint."

Anja returned to her room and started to climb into bed. Sanguine's voice filled the air.

"Sleep tight. Don't let Vaermina bite." he laughed.

"Sanguine..."

"She really does, you know."

"Sanguine!"

"Okay, okay."

It was peculiar, really, to be on such "friendly" terms with a Daedric Prince, but Anja didn't want to think about it and just decided to sleep.

O

Note - This chapter was partially inspired by the song "Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche mode. Don't ask. It just felt right. LOL.