A/N : This chapter involves my take of logic between a human's body and its corresponding soul. Please bear with me as I did only a little research and the concept was just purely made inside my head.

Anyways, I'll go start the bus.

Chapter 25 : His Last Wish

Loredas, 31st of Evening Seed, 4E 204

The winter cold already seeped in through his skin, even if the sun was high up in the sky. In fact, it was already around afternoon when they went out and about, looking for food. At last, after many failed attempts, he had luckily found a rabbit sprouting from its hole. It was very peculiar as to why some of these creatures live in this desolate tundra. Nontheless, it was prey, and they needed food.

He drawed out an arrow, mist leaving between exhales of slow breaths. Time seemingly slowed down as he gazed steadily at the tip, on the end was his target. With one last exhale, he released the arrow.

Twish.

Hit. Right on its neck. He breathed out a deep sigh as he eased the tension on his body.

"Good shot."

He tilted his dark-brown head and saw her moving down the snowy slope downhill.

"That was, how many times have you attempted it?" She quipped.

Elsa was trudging downhill, one arm filled with a basket of snowberries that commonly sprung about in this part of Skyrim. She saw him, Alvring, crouching on the ground with his bow drawn. He looked at her so eagerly, somehow glad that she was with him.

Of course, Erik was somewhere there too.

To where he was, she didn't know. He was also out and about, doing his part of the hunt.

He let out a chuckle. "I'm hurt." He played an inconvincible frown. He strapped his bow on his back, and then walked up towards Elsa. He snatched some of the snowberries and put it on his mouth, grounding its sweet tangy pulp to his lips.

"Four." He grumbled.

She smacked his fingers before he could attempt to get some more.

"Get your own berries." She sighed.

Not convinced with her intimidation, he attempted to grab some more, only to receive a faint shock of electricity jolting from Elsa's fingertips.

"Ack!" He hissed.

She laughed at Alvring's predicament, not even a hint of regret to what she'd done. As soon as she slowly stopped her contentment, she noticed Alvring's pained look. The innocent yet comical look he had on his face was very laughable. It brought up a smile on her face, to which he noticed immediately.

He replied with a radiating smile as well.

"Looks like you two are having fun."

Erik entered into the scene. He held in his hands two perfectly shaved pheasants and a rabbit all wrapped in a string.

Elsa smiled at her approaching husband. If he couldn't have looked any more primitive, she would've laughed at the very sight of him. But she wouldn't. She approached him also and gave out a warm, endearing hug.

He kissed her forehead to reciprocate the gesture. He held out his hands that bundled the animals altogether away, making sure they wouldn't get any stain from it. His other hand then strayed to her belly, rubbing it gently and feeling it. She then carried his hands to trace and feel the little baby inside.

Elsa then tilted her head to Alvring, who had a smile. A genuine one. It looked painful, something in her heart somehow made her felt that way. But it looked real. He was so much happy, for both of them.

"Seems like you've already gotten one." Erik then brought about a conversation.

"It's not enough, if I do say so myself." Alvring replied.

"With you as our guest, it will never be enough." Elsa chuckled.

Both of the men laughed so hard that even some of the birds fluttered away.

"Well," Alvring then huffed. "I have a rabbit to attend to. See to it that your hunt goes to the horses."

"Sure thing." Erik replied.

As Alvring turned towards the rabbit, Erik looked at Elsa so blissfully. He then trailed his hands again over her stomach only for a few seconds then guided her towards their horse.

While walking, Erik prodded another conversation.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"Yeah…" She said lazily.

"He seems to enjoy himself too."

"And what does that mean?" Her brows furrowed in question.

"Well, over the days, you two sure spend an awful amount of time together."

Elsa was about to speak in protest, but Erik quickly uttered his own thoughts.

"I don't intend to hold you out in any way. I respect your decision. I even trust you wholeheartedly for that matter,"

She closed her mouth and looked straight ahead. They were already over by the horses, which their reins were strapped unto a tree. Erik was already undoing the knot of his hunt, and then tied it to the horse.

"I just worry, ok? I mean, I know we're doing this out of respect for his wishes—"

"It's his last."She interrupted.

He breathed out a sigh after he finished tying the two pheasants and the rabbit properly behind one of the horses' back. He then looked at Elsa and clasped his hands over her shoulders.

"What he wished for was not this." He gestured from his hands. "It was you."

She looked away. "I know." She put the snowberries in one of the small packs.

"Then I guess you know where I'm coming from, right?"

"Yes... No…" She replied. She wanted to say something more, but her mouth paused in an instant. She never knew the right words to say. Then it got herself into thinking.

"What if," She pondered, "By fate's design, you were Alvring? You were never meant to wed me, and I was in another man's arms, pregnant with a child that's not yours," Her eyes struck his firmly.

"Would you do the same thing?"

His entire body was petrified. He couldn't react swiftly, as if the horror was utter reality. He was somehow disheartened by her words. Of course, she didn't know it'd hurt him. Rectifying the situation was already far behind them. She already asked the ultimate question.

"Of course I would." He hugged her tight, possessive instinct running through his mind. "I love you. I would've stayed with you, endured every pain in my heart knowing that you were not mine. I would ache each night and suffer regret from all of my decisions. I would rue the thought that it was not me that waited for you at the end of Mara's altar. I would've already suffered everything," He then intensified the closeness of his body to hers.

"If only to see you, one last time..." His voice was true. It pained him, so much just to say what he said. She heard his soft sobs whispering in her ear. If he really was Alvring (but it felt like it was really him saying everything), he would've done so in a heartbeat.

"But you see, I'm not him, Elsa." He leaned back. She saw his face flustered red, tears almost trickling from his eyes, but he was smiling. He was a mix of contradicting emotions, not really sure which side emanated more.

"I was the one that said 'you were mine'. I was the one that looks at you, each night when you're sleeping; thanking the Gods that you chose me above anyone else. I was the lucky one that waited for you at the end of Mara's altar, forever bounded in our love for each other."

Elsa was struck by a lightning bolt through her chest, his words were pure. It was the honest truth. He loved her so much that he would do that for her sake. Even if it was not meant to be — yet it was — he could never stray afar. He would be there for her, even if he was on his dying breath.

"Then you should at least understand Alvring's situation." She then said. "He just wanted to see me, that's all."

"Why you? Why couldn't it be some other person that deserved his love?"

"I don't know…"

He sighed yet again. He grabbed one of her hands and placed it firmly on his.

"Come, let us not speak of this anymore. It is already painful for me to even think about such thoughts."

They walked again through the snow-covered ground, finding Alvring through the forest.

"I'm sorry." Elsa said.

"Don't be. You only thought of something that didn't happen." He said. "Though what happened to us was real, and I wouldn't want it any other way."

He smiled that smile. The heaviness in her heart seemed to lighten. It was as if forever when she last saw that, but clearly he kept his promise through and through. There was never a day she'd miss out on one of those smiles, which had gotten herself into thinking that she really did deserved him and his the same way back.

"Me too."

As they were about to near the clearing Alvring was in, she looked straight ahead.

She stopped dead in her tracks.

All happiness faded in an instant.

She saw him, lying unconscious, almost breathless on the ground.

"Daar Lein los dii. . ." Alduin whispered as the fire slowly spun around him, enveloping himself in flames of torture.

"Hin los dii. . ." The dragon mustered all his strength left and roared at the defenseless Alvring. . .

The roar was nothing they had ever imagined. The winds shifted color, a faint blue in its wake. Alduin bellowed an irregular pitch of voice. It was more of a desperate howl yet it still retained its ferociousness.

Alvring thought it was a Force Shout, so he steadied his feet, bracing himself for the push, yet he never even moved an inch.

Something didn't felt right though.

The other Dragonborns charged at the falling dragon. They struck its head before Alduin could continue further.

And just like that, Alduin roared from the skies, as thunder and fire collided with each other.

He didn't disintegrate like many dragons they've fought before. He was charred in a vortex of flames, and then dissolved without even leaving a skeleton.

Alvring did not even absorb his soul.

At last, Alduin was finally defeated. He finally breathed out that sigh of relief. Everything was finished. The deed was done, the prophecy was realized. He could finally go back.

Back to her.

The storm faded, stars in the sky twinkled beautifully in its appearance. Colors of light danced in the sky again, night claiming the beauty of it all.

Tsun approached the last Dragonborn, though he was not at all jubilant at the defeat of the World-Eater. He looked at Alvring in apprehension, fear and anxiety in the God-Protector's eyes.

"You…" He pondered his thoughts.

At an instant, Tsun struck his hand deep in the completely exposed Alvring. Tsun's hands glowed blue and somewhat phased through him, yet it felt like daggers had run through his chest. He slowly felt like Tsun had grasped something inside of him, then slowly pulling it out.

He felt an intense burst of pain, groaning and growling as the blue essence inside his body was slowly ripped out from him.

With a last tug, Tsun successfully pulled it out, Alvring completely sprawled in the ground, agonizing.

The blue essence then turned into a black slime of unknown entity. It looked hideous, far from any anomaly he'd seen before.

"This thing was lodged inside your soul, Dragonborn." He crushed it with his hands as the slime slowly dispersed in air.

"What? Why?" He took short intake of breaths.

"What he attempted was to consume your soul. He did not manage to do so…" He paused. "Completely."

Alvring struggled to stand up, but slowly managed to do so in the end. "What does that mean?"

"He had already taken a part of your soul with him." Tsun grimaced.

"Then to Oblivion to what happens to it. I've already defeated him, it doesn't matter."

"It does. Please understand." He then looked away, the God-Protector was afraid of what he'll say next.

"A body cannot live without the soul."

Alvring wide-eyed. He finally realized the situation. His soul was taken away from him. Alduin had stolen it. No, Tsun had stolen it. Out of rage, he gripped Tsun firmly and growled at him.

"Then why would you even take away my soul!?"

"I did not take it. I simply took what was corrupting it." He said. "If it had stayed longer, Alduin would've enslaved your spirit and took over your body."

He was confused and utterly dazed. He was taking all too much than what he could have.

I had just defeated Alduin, right?

Everything was supposed to be over.

Why is fate asking more of me?

"What would happen now?" He then asked after his contemplations.

"If one's soul is unstable, it will age far rapidly than that of the norm. Your body will not receive any change, but you will eventually notice it." Tsun explained.

"What you're saying is: that I'm aging faster than the rest?"

The God-Protector nodded.

"And that I'm…" He stopped.

"There's still something good that can come out of this."

Alvring glared at the God-Protector, anticipating his words to falter, and then somehow plunge a sword deep within his throat. If he wasn't in this forsaken place, he'd really ensure the pain he'll receive.

"Your soul can still travel to Sovngarde. Once you die—"

"Death." He wide-eyed, realizing that one thing he'd forgot.

"I couldn't… die. No, not yet."

That one thing. He couldn't leave everything like this. He needed to go back. Back in the land of the living.

"Take me back to Skyrim."

"Yes, but don't you even want to talk abo—"

"NOW!"

Mortar and Pestle – Guest Bedroom

She placed a hand to his forehead, checking to see if he was at all fine. The heat of his body was normal, and his skin was of natural color. His eyes weren't swollen, nor was he even sweating. There were no scars that needed tending, but she noticed there were quite a few more than she'd remembered. Other than that, he was perfectly fine.

He looked perfectly fine.

She tried everything. She used her most advanced healing techniques, but none seemed to work. She even tried to use potions, but it never did the trick. Her choices started to wear thin, but she never gave up on him. How could she?

"This curse Alduin gave me, nothing can cure it."

She flipped book after book, looking for something about dragons and souls, but obviously, in times like these, even the slightest relation couldn't be found.

"Elsa, it's okay. Don't cry."

She looked at his unconscious state, eyes still and breaths slow. She wondered what was running through his head at this very moment, if he was having a dreamless sleep or thoughts about if fate would've entrusted what he wanted.

If fate could entrust her with what she wanted,

She would've wanted Alvring well and okay.

"Time is seeping away from me Elsa, I do not have much left…"

She shook the thought away, then delved into the books some more. Dusk has already set upon the highlands of Dawnstar, but she still pursued her goal. She lit up a candle for her to see through the gaining darkness.

"Can I ask only one thing from you?"

She slammed her fist into the table, rage and confusion settling upon her thoughts. She gritted her teeth, eyes watering, and her sight hazed a little. She just couldn't accept that fact. He can be here right now, but he may never be tomorrow.

That was what she feared most. Alvring was a good friend, a very dear one. Even if he had made mistakes in the past, he knew he could atone for what he had done. He had saved everyone from a doomed fate. He did his duties first… if he didn't, who knows what could happen.

"I just want to stay here with . . . you."

She couldn't believe what he said that day. Erik almost burst out with anger all until she calmed him down. She remembered him ranting about "doing this all over again" and "still have never learned". She was surprised that Erik could even say such a harsh language, that to his closest friend, his confidant.

She tried to contain her despair, but the more she denied it, the more it gets worse. She was getting irritated just by thinking about it. Soon enough, she started blaming herself for that matter. She thought of those horrible things again when she first knew about his disappearance.

How she became so incompetent.

How she became so selfish.

How she had made the wrong choice.

Sadness turned to loathing, pain had struck her to the very core. Her mind snapped, and she went on a rampage. She tore those pages that never seemed to have any use from the first place, and then throwing them wildly. She was screaming loudly and then sobs came shortly after. Scrolls and parchments were tossed into the air. Her fit only fueled her more.

She was about to throw another book, but she notice the cover title of it.

The Book of the Dragonborn

Sheer curiosity took its place, though she could honestly say that she never read it entirely. She skipped to the last page to read the last line. Burst of tears filled her eyes.

The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.

She sat back again, covering her mouth in pure, utter sadness. She was suddenly realizing Alvring herself, how cruel life must be for him. He never wanted this. He never chose to be this. He wanted to have a life, a peaceful one, away from all the troubles he had undertaken so far.

And when he'd sought that one he desired. . .

It was again denied from him.

She tossed the book across the room, creating a loud thud as it crashed into the wall.

Her mouth agape, hands covering her dismal voice, she sprawled across the table, crying and sobbing her sorrows away. . .

"Elsa…?"

His voice called out to her.

Her eyes widened, surprised to hear his voice again.

She looked back to him, seeing his eyes lit up, but barely keeping it out.

She hurried to his side, tears still flowing from her face.

"Elsa!"

Another voice called out. It was behind her. The door creaked open and it revealed a worried Erik. Papers scattered about as he entered the room. She saw the shock on his face when he saw Alvring awake.

"How…" The weak Alvring said. He looked around to see the place a mess. Despite his state, he could see Elsa sobbing and whimpering.

"I told you not to cry right?" He moved his hand to her face, wiping some of the tears, but eventually held it down. All until she kept his hand near, holding it like a precious gem. He felt glad from the gesture and then weakly grinned. He then slowly continued to wipe some more away.

Even from all the sorrow she felt, she brought up a smile, something to rest his worry. "I know."

He breathed out a faint sigh, and then tilted his head to rest again. He laid back his arm to rest on hers, energy almost exhausted from him.

Her heart trembled when he slowly closed his eyes.

"Please stay awake. . ."

She waited for a response, something to assure her that he's okay.

He didn't say anything, only a few short inflation and deflation of his chest.

She cried again in front of him, never following what he asked. How could she? She was so much in distraught.

Erik approached slowly, calming her and rubbing her shoulders like he always did.

By the time she woke up, it was already in the dead of night. The room was dark, moonlight barely passing through the thatches of the roof. She noticed she was covered by a huge quilt encompassing her body. It must've been Erik's doing. Though he was probably sleeping already in the other room.

She wanted to stay, like she said she would. Erik would understand. He always did. He never judged her differently, and he was ever so willing to trust her so much than he'd always have. He never thought the wrong way between the two of them, and he was right. She cared for Alvring, that was a fact, but that could never ascend to something more. She loved Erik wholly, and nothing could ever change that.

She lit up another stick of candle, light brimming inside the room.

He grunted.

She tilted her head in surprise.

She saw him shifting in his bed, attempting to carry himself towards the headboard. He struggled in gaining the posture, so he gave up halfway through.

Elsa rushed to his side again, but this time she steeled herself and willed to keep her promise to him.

"How are you doing?" She said affectionately.

"Never been better." He chuckled, to which she also made in reply.

He closed his eyes again, Elsa holding his hand firmly. He also reciprocated the gesture but only ever barely.

"Listen," He then said, opening his eyes again and tilted his head to hers. "I never meant to take Erik away from you." He paused, pursing his lips and looked at the ceiling.

"He's a good lad. You're better with him, and you look good together." He continued.

She shook her head. "Erik understands. This is all for you anyways. We want to spend as much time as we can with you."

She saw him gulped and tilted his head away.

"If I have offended you, I apologize." She bowed her head.

"No," He tilted his head towards her again, holding her hands as tight as he could muster. "I wanted this also."

She didn't reply back, just a slow nod in understanding. He laid back to his sleeping position, worn out already like an old man in his late years. Though it felt like he really was just like that.

"When this is all over," He said. "When I'm gone—"

"Don't say that." She cringed.

"I'll still be here. I will protect your son or daughter, as if it were mine." He still continued.

"No, no. You'll still be here. You won't go anywhere. You will see them, and I will see yours. . ." She ached.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. I've already set my eyes upon someone. But she was never fated to be mine in the first place." He then said. "I'll settle for whatever she wants me to be. What she needs me to be."

"Then I want you — need you — to stay."

"I will stay, just not in the way you will see it."

"Please Alvring, don't go. . ." She clung to him and buried herself deep within his arm.

"Don't worry, I won't." He closed his eyes again, sleep almost about to take him away again.

She wanted to utter something— anything, but none came up to her mind. She was only still, staring at his discomposed state.

"I love you, Elsa." He suddenly said. Her eyes widened and gained shock.

She did not respond.

"It's okay. You don't have to say anything at all."

She shook her head to say no, but her voice just muted and her throat blocked everything she wanted to say.

"See you. . ." He softly murmured.

Her eyes watered, but she tried her best to hold it back, and she did. She held his hands tighter than before. She placed it on her cheek to caress the feeling of his roughness colliding to her own softness.

She rested on his body, to feel the warmth of him. It had a different glow, almost even faint. But he was still there, breathing softly through her hair.

See you too.

Her eyes were hazy, but she could see the sun was already up. The wax of the candle already melted and cooled over by the table. She rubbed her eyes again to gain the proper consciousness and to see it was already past the morning dews.

The place was a mess. She never knew her outburst could lead to this. She never was this type of person to begin with. Maybe it had something to do with having a child. She picked up the pieces of torn paper near her and then shuffled through it.

Then, she saw his face.

His eyes were closed, and his chest didn't heave at all.

She shook his shoulders to wake him up.

"Alvring. . ." Her voice was rasp by lack of drinking water and spending the whole night on the side of his bed.

Nothing.

"Alvring. . .?"

A/N : So, is everyone aboard?

I don't know, this is my best attempt to carry out a tragic/sad theme. I hope I did good :\

Anyways, last chapter will be posted around this weekend (hopefully), it will be a short one.

Thanking everyone again who viewed, faved, followed the story!

Keep them coming ! :3