I'm coming up only to show you wrong - 1st of Sunsdusk - 4 E 201 - The Throat of the World
Eliana had searched for Delphine's corpse all night and brought the late Blade to High Hrothgar to give her a proper funeral.
Paarthurnax had suggested her to be buried up the Throat of the World with the Heroes of Old. Galthor, Sorri, Birkir, Gormlaith, Delphine… All blinded by an everlasting hatred of the dragons… All meeting their doom at their 'hands'…
Eliana took off her Amulet of Talos and placed it around the Breton woman's neck.
"Arkay, Talos, Kynareth, Akatosh, Stendarr, Mara, Dibella, Julianos, Zenithar. Divines, bless this soul. Watch her steps through the Realm of the Dead."
Eliana placed Deathbells around the body and turned towards the four Greybeards and Esbern waiting for them to add something.
"Grant her, in death, the peace she could not achieve to find in this life.", the last and only remaining Blade prayed.
Eliana bowed respectfully and placed the very first stone of the tomb. Esbern placed the second, the Greybeards the next ones, and so they kept on until Delphine had been granted a decent resting place.
Eliana bowed her head and prayed or a long time after that. She prayed for forgiveness, for the soul of her late ally to find peace, for her to be safe from Alduin's destruction wherever she'd be… A hand patting her shoulder brought her back to reality. Esbern was standing by her side.
"I am sorry, Esbern. I never wanted this."
"I know, my dear…", the old man sighed. He placed a bunch of Dragon's tongue and Deathbells on top of the stone grave and addressed the Divines one last prayer. "Delphine ran for half of her life… I guess she just wanted to rest at last…"
The Dragonborn blinked. "What about you, Esbern? What do you intend to do?"
"I am no threat to you… nor to them, Dragonborn… I am no warrior, I am a scholar…", he let out a heavy sigh. "I'm old… I just want to rest too…"
The old archivist bowed in front of the tomb, addressing one last goodbye to his late friend and left the Monhaven, never to return.
1st of Sunsdusk - 4 E 201 - High Hrothgar - The Seven Thousand Steps
"Will you go back to Skyhaven, then?"
"For now, yes. I still have much to do there… Alduin's Wall still holds secrets. I've been writing some notes about all the Akaviri designs we've discovered. If only the Imperial Library could see my research..."
"Winterhold College might be very interested by your works, my friend. Talk to Urag gro-Shub, he's the librarian. I think you two will get along just fine."
The old archivist bowed his head. "Thank you, my dear."
"Esbern.", she called out as the old Blade was taking his leave. "There is… something I'd like to know…"
The Grandmaster of the Blades nodded, motioning her to proceed.
"Alduin's Wall foretells I will defeat Alduin in Sovngarde…" The Blade nodded. "Does it state whether I come back or not?"
"Akatosh's purpose is beyond the sight of mortals, child. You are His herald… If He so chooses, you will come back."
The young woman bit her lip and nodded. Akatosh tends to be cruel with his heroes… They served their purpose, their time had come…
Eliana swallowed hard, biting down bitter tears.
'I could do so much more, you know... So much more!'
She shook these thoughts out of her mind. She couldn't let herself despair… She had to hope… hope and pray…
"Before I go…", Esbern's voice brought her back to reality. The Blade unbuckled the leather strip holding his sword and handed her the weapon. "This is Dragonsbane, the ancient and long lost sword of the Akaviri of old. It used to be passed from the Grandmaster to his successor but we lost it, centuries ago. Delphine and I found it in the depths of Skyhaven Temple. I want you to have it."
The Dragonborn unsheathed the sword, watching in awe the purple glades of the sharp dark metal. "I can't accept it."
"It has been carried by the greatest dragon slayers of all times…", Esbern pointed. "Their might and their rage still surges through its blade… No doubt you will need it, when you face the World-Eater. This is my gift to you, Dragonborn, a peace offering, as Grandmaster of the Blades."
Eliana carefully traced the carved hilt with her thumb and bowed her head.
"Then I gladly accept it. Thank you, Esbern."
"Fare thee well, Dragonborn."
"Julianos guard you, my friend."
In case you'd wonder, the title for this chapter comes from the lyrics of a song by Band of Horses : The Funeral. I thought it quite fitted! ^^
And the 'I could do so much more' quote comes from... Well, I'm not telling you XD This sentence will have some importance in a few chapters and then only I'll explain where it comes from ;) But if you think you recognized the quote, don't hesitate to PM me ;) I always answer!
Next chapter : time to meet Odahviing!
Stay tuned, don't forget to review ! :)