Chapter Six: Another Adventure Awaits (Turdas/Fridas, the 27th/28th of Sun's Dusk)
Elain had spent several days at home with Meeko. She'd relieved her housecarl of his duties for a time, preferring solitude over his presence looming over her. She was bored, and she knew it was time to return to the Sanctuary. She'd put it off, and as overwhelmed as she was by all the Night Mother business, she had left Astrid alone with her thoughts long enough.
She had just decided she would strike off in the morning for Whiterun to see how her sister was progressing with the dragon business and offer her help before traveling to Falkreath Hold when there was a knock on the door. She was surprised when she opened it to reveal Mari, once again, though this time she was accompanied by another mage, a young Dunmer woman.
"I'm surprised to see you again so soon," she told her sister as she watched the other two women remove their cloaks and snow-covered boots. "I figured you'd be dealing with this Eye stuff."
Mari sighed and collapsed into a chair. "Oh I am. That's why I'm here," she explained. "I need to ask for you help again. We're off to Labyrinthian. This is my friend and fellow Apprentice, Brelyna Maryon. Bre, my sister, Elain."
"Pleasure to meet you," the Dunmer commented, studying the other Altmer.
"You as well," Elain replied. "Of course I'll help you. What is this place we're headed to?"
"All I know is what Brelyna has told me," her sister replied, motioning for her friend to tell the story.
"The Arch-Mage Shalidor built a labyrinth deep within a set of Nordic ruins located there," Brelyna supplied. "He used it as a test for potential arch-mages to determine their worth, and it is supposedly littered with magical traps and what not. Draugr and other beasties. Folks even claim it's haunted. I'm told people avoid the road traveling near it at all costs and take the long road around to Morthal."
Elain nodded, taking in the information.
"I'm coming along so that Mari has some backup with magical knowledge, but I suggested she get as much muscle as she could for this trip," Brelyna continued. "This is a dangerous venture, much more so than anything either of us have undertaken before."
Elain and Mari exchanged a glance, both thinking about their previous undertakings against the Thalmor and weren't quite convinced, but they agreed it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Rest up then," Elain stated as she stood. "We'll head off to Whiterun tomorrow and recruit some Companions."
"Will Aerenwen be at home?" Mari asked.
"I'm not certain," her sister replied. "I helped her in Riften, and last I knew, the old scholar we found there was trying to figure out just where some temple was located. Apparently the return of the dragons means Alduin has returned, and it's going to be the end of the world if our dear sister doesn't stop it. He seemed to think the answer was in the temple, and it sounded like they thought it was out in The Reach, but she could be back home by now. If not, I wouldn't be surprised if we could talk Farkas at least into joining us, and definitely Aela if she's around."
Mari nodded. It sounded to Elain like they could use all the help they could get.
Lydia answered their sister's door with a smile and directed the group toward Jorrvaskr. Partway there, they were accosted by a small Nord boy who rushed toward them with shrieks of "Aunty Elain! Aunty Mari!"
Both women laughed and lifted him into hugs, placing soft kisses atop his head before he ran off to play with his friends some more.
They found Aela and Aerenwen in the mead hall, and after being greeted exuberantly by all who knew them, were led down to the Harbinger's office where they could speak privately.
Mari made introductions, and the group sat down. As it turned out, they were lucky they had arrived when they had. The two women had only just returned from The Reach the night before and were planning to strike off for High Hrothgar the following morning, looking for answers as to how the ancient Nords defeated Alduin.
"What's going on, Mari?" Aerenwen asked. "You look as exhausted and overwhelmed as I am. Is it more with this discovery you made in Saarthal?"
Mari sighed and went into the story, explaining to her sister that when she had returned to the College, they had brought the Eye up from the ruins and placed it right in the main hall. She told her about discussions with their uncle and the Augur and of the trip she and Elain had taken to Mzulft. Finally, she reached the part in her tale where the Thalmor were once again the problem and told her of the Arch-Mage's death.
"Where is that you need to go to retrieve this staff?" Aerenwen asked when she was finished.
"Labyrinthian," Mari replied.
Aela looked startled at that news.
"What is the history of that place?" she asked curiously. "Brelyna only knows the magical portion of it in more recent times, that Arch-Mage Shalidor built a labyrinth within some Nordic ruins."
"It was originally built as a temple to the dragons ages ago when the dragons ruled Skyrim," the huntress explained. "It grew over time into a great city and was Skyrim's capital when the Dragon Cult held the most power. Bromjunaar, it was called. All of the most powerful dragon priests would gather there to meet, and it is said that powerful relics of theirs are still hidden within the ruins.
"After the Dragon War, it was abandoned. Ages later, this arch-mage you spoke of, Shalidor, built his labyrinth deep within the ruins of Bromjunaar, and it became known as Labyrinthian. Some say he built his labyrinth to hide powerful relics he had stolen, but, as your friend told you, he began to use it to test out the abilities of mages. The tests were brutal, and eventually, it was deemed too barbaric and again, fell into disuse." Aela sighed. "Before the Oblivion Crisis, from what I've read, people would make pilgrimages to Labyrinthian in part of a journey that followed the Eternal Champion's steps. Now people generally avoid the place. It's cursed."
Elain chuckled. "Sounds like just the place we'll all feel right at home."
Mari frowned. "I hate this. I hate every minute of it. I wasn't built for adventure like you guys. I want my books and my alchemy table and my spells. I don't get off on dungeon delving like you two and Nesta."
Aerenwen wrapped an arm around her smaller sister. "I don't like what I have been called to do or the responsibility put upon my shoulders either, Mari, but it's ours. We were brought to Skyrim and followed the paths we have for a reason. This is your story and your battle, but we will be with you every step of the way."
Mari shook her head. "I can't ask you to do that. You need to head to High Hrothgar and find out what this shout is you need to learn. You're in the process of saving the world."
"So are you," Aerenwen argued. "That Eye, or whatever it is, that was found is extremely powerful. If it cannot be contained within the College, who knows what will happen to the rest of Tamriel? Not to mention, right now, it's in the hands of one Thalmor. Where will we be if it falls into the hands of them all? As far as I'm concerned, this battle is just as worthy as the one I am fighting. I will help you, just as I know you would help me should I come across a need for magicka in my quest."
Mari smiled and rested her head on her elder sister's shoulder.
"Besides, it's an ancient Nord ruin," Elain interjected. "There's apt to be a word wall in there. You'll get to see the cool thing that happens when our sister learns a new shout."
This made Mari smile a bit.
"And as linked as Bromjunaar was with the Dragon Cult, perhaps we'll find some useful information there in reference to all this dragon business," Aela added.
Mari sighed and nodded against her sister's shoulder, and Elain was glad she was accepting their help. The business with the Night Mother and the dragons could wait, as far as she was concerned. Her sisters came first.
Author's Note: This is the end of this portion of Elain's story. I will be updating Glenys' next.