I am SO sorry for the delay, but school got really hectic for a while. I'm actually submitting this while running late for my art class. :P
This chapter has a bit of everything. I can't respond to the reviews right now, but I might come back and do it later, so keep checking in. I appreciate reviews a LOT!
Thanks for your patience! School's almost out!
Oh, and moon sugar is a bitch.
Brett was nervous as she paced back and forth, waiting for Alduin to bring Paarthurnax to her. She was using this time, free from her captor's scrutiny, to contemplate escape. Everything seemed linked to one thing: Her lack of magicka. If she could regain even an iota of it, she could take Skuldafn by storm. Her summoned sword would be more than enough.
She paused mid-step, then turned to her pack. She was no alchemist (alchemy tables tended to explode around her), but she had carried ingredients in her bag for one reason or another. She had noticed various residues of it caught in the leather lining, but hadn't been desperate enough to try it. As such a novice, there was a very good chance she could accidentally poison herself. But, as time had passed, she had grown desperate.
The residue was a white powder, with specks of pink dotting it. It was hard to identify, but the sweet smell lead her to suspect that it was moon sugar. She'd spent a great deal of her childhood with the Khajiit caravans; moon sugar was a more familiar smell than other ingredients. And she knew that Elsweyr fondue could restore magicka.
She scraped the powder from the lining and creases, until she had a small amount in her hand. It couldn't have been bigger than a snowberry, but it would have to do. Taking a deep breath and holding her nose, she poured the powder onto her tongue and forced herself to swallow it. She gagged: It did taste sweet, but sweet in the same way that rotting fruit was sweet. It burned as it worked its way down her throat, and she rushed to chase it with water.
'Gods above,' she thought, her stomach churning. 'How do people eat this?!' –she fought back the urge to retch- 'C'mon, Brett, get it together! Try your magicka, see if it works….'
She focused everything she had on her flame spell, which wasn't easy with the moon sugar jolting and burning her stomach. Her head was swimming, almost as if she was drunk, but she still caught sight of something that amazed her.
A flicker.
It was gone almost as soon as it had appeared, but she knew what it was. She'd cast a spell, a weak spell, but still a spell. It had worked.
"I can't believe it!" she whispered, fighting back tears. "I can't-"
Her stomach lurched again, stronger this time. She dashed to the balcony, and vomited over the edge. She had a brief thought about the poor people who might be below, but was too nauseous to truly care.
"Not a perfect solution," she mumbled, wiping her mouth. "But a solution."
Paarthurnax was nervous as he walked towards his brother's chambers. He didn't know how Brett would be, what Alduin had done to her. He was still worried as he pushed open the door….
Only to be waylaid by a short, dark-haired blur that was all but shouting, "Vomal zeymah!" ["Big brother!"] Arms were thrown around his neck, and he was suddenly holding a crying Brett off the ground, holding her tightly.
"Mal briinah," ["Little sister,"] he said, clutching her as though he would never let her go. "It is so good to see you."
"I thought he'd hurt you," she said, still not letting go. "He…he wouldn't say…. Oh, Paarthurnax."
He pulled away to look at her face, and brushed away her tears. "Don't cry, briinahi. [my sister.] It's alright, I'm fine," –he stroked her hair in a fatherly fashion- "How are you? Is he mistreating you, Dovahkiin?"
She shook her head. "Niid. [No.] No more than usual, anyway."
"And…and he has-?"
"Geh," ["Yes,"] she said, blushing. "But I don't want to talk about that. You're here now, that's what matters. I have better news," –she took his hand, and lead him toward the balcony- "C'mon."
He allowed her to lead him out to the balcony. Once the light hit her, he noticed something. "Are you truly well? You look...green."
"I'm fine," she brushed off. "Paarthurnax, I managed to cast a spell today!"
He looked truly surprised. "Naal Bormahi," ["By my Father,"] he said. "Daar los vahzah?" ["This is true?"]
She smiled. "Geh, zeymah. ["Yes, brother.] It was weak, but it was a spell."
"We must find a way for you to do it again."
This time, it was a cheeky grin that split her face. "All I need to do is convince Alduin that my favorite food is Elsweyr fondue."
Alduin had decided not to supervise this meeting of his brother and the Dovahkiin. Instead, he found himself skulking through Brii's apartments. He was amazed to find them empty. He made himself at home in her bedchamber, wondering where the frost dragon had disappeared to. Maybe she had taken to the sky in this, the first sunny morning in a long time. Gods knew he wanted to, as well.
Almost an hour had passed before the doors to the chamber opened, and in walked Brii. For the first time in weeks, he smiled at her. "Brii," he said, looking at her with a warmth he did not feel. "Meyz het." ["Come here."]
She did as he bade, looking a bit uncomfortable. He chalked it up to his lack of attention since the arrival of the Dragonborn.
"Drogi," ["My lord,"] she said. "Ni los pruzah wah koraav hi." ["It is good to see you."]
He pulled her into a kiss. When he pulled away, he stroked her face. "You taste like mint," he mumbled, trying to pretend that the hair he was stroking was black, not ice blonde.
"My servant girls have begun to grow it," she said. "Zu morah hi fenaan med ni." ["I thought you would like it."]
He nodded. "Geh. Zu dreh." ["Yes. I do."]
She stroked his face. "Zu'u hini, Drogi." ["I am yours, my Lord."]
He growled. "Geh. Ahrk Zu fent lost hi." ["Yes. And I shall have you."]