Serana let the man's body fall to the ground with a thud. The snapping and popping of electricity filled her hand as she drew her dagger, readying herself to meet the werewolf in combat. She thought quickly about transforming herself, but discarded the idea rapidly. Not yet…

"Wuld!" Azriel launched herself at the werewolf, her feet never touching the ground as her shout carried her forward. Her body slammed harshly into Aela's werewolf form, sending them both sprawling onto the freezing ground.

The werewolf howled at the indignation of being hit from behind and snapped at Azriel in her fury. Aela's jaws bit down just as Azriel moved her right arm into their path and Azriel screamed in pain. Aela instantly released, but the damage was done. Azriel's eyes reflected unadulterated rage at wolf's challenge. Her wolf pushed out, transforming her instantaneously.

Serana's heart leapt to her throat hearing Azriel's pained cry. She closed the gap between them, skidding across the ice trying to stop herself from slamming into them both. She watched Azriel's red-brown form rise and howl at the dark red werewolf.

Azriel snarled furiously at Aela and Aela snapped back at her, protecting herself from the alpha wolf. The vampire slipping on the ice behind Azriel caught Aela's attention and she pushed Azriel aside in her want for the vampire's blood. In trying to protect Azriel, Aela had only succeeded in infuriating her more.

Azriel's claws raked down Aela's back, pushing her off the road and away from Serana. Azriel jumped between Serana and Aela, snapping and barking frantically at Aela. She stepped directly into Serana's path and she could feel the vampire's frustration.

Aela rose from the snow, trying to calm herself down enough to gain control over her furious wolf. Azriel's actions confounded her, she had never attacked her before and it dawned on her that Azriel was protecting the vampire for some reason. Aela let the wolf fade and resumed her mortal form in hopes of calming the alpha's temper.

Azriel stopped barking and visibly calmed as well, letting her wolf form melt away.

The vampire shot daggers at Aela from behind Azriel, but Aela was more concerned with Azriel. "Azriel, I'm so sorry…"

"Don't worry about it." Azriel took a deep breath and looked at the vampire's hate filled face. "But, why didn't you understand me? I was trying to stop you. I don't want you two ripping each other to shreds."

Aela looked behind Azriel at the frigid vampire's stare and back to Azriel. "I only saw a threat. I didn't realize… I didn't understand your meaning."

Azriel held her injured right arm in her left hand and stepped aside for the two to see the other clearly. "Serana, this is Aela. She's the one I told you about. She's my Shield-Sister and an honored member of the Companions." Azriel winced as she rolled back the sleeve on her wool tunic. "Aela, meet Serana. We're… um… traveling together."

Serana shot Azriel a look and Azriel shook her head at her.

Aela nodded to Serana, but the vampire ignored her completely.

Serana was taken aback by Azriel's introduction, but she recovered quickly. "Azriel, let me see your arm." Serana reached for her.

Aela's eyes went wide. "No don't! You're bleeding!"

"Chill Aela, she isn't going to hurt me… or you for that matter." She growled, looking at the seriousness of the wolf's bite.

"Damnit Azriel, let me see it." Serana growled at her. I'm not so sure about not hurting her…

"For fuck sakes, it's just a little scratch." But, she held out her arm anyway.

Serana looked at it and back to Aela with a livid scowl.

Azriel covered the wound with her hand and a soft light emanated from it, healing her arm.

Serana glowered at Aela and Aela stared right back, unintimidated by the vampire.

Azriel sighed glancing at the pair. This is going to suck…

After a few minutes concentrating on her arm, Azriel lifted her hand and inspected the wound. She looked back up at the two silent women and their silent heated exchange. This is really going to suck...

Azriel looked over at the dragon that patiently waited for them. She looked between Aela and Saaraadgraat. Something was different about both of them. But, she also needed to snap the two women out of their hate filled silence.

"You showed up with Saaraadgraat? Classic." Azriel smirked amused at the Huntress.

Her voice startled both Serana and Aela and they turned to look at her.

"Um, yeah. I did and we saved your Imperial hide."

Serana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

Azriel grinned at her. "Damn you Nord… You did, didn't you?" Azriel chuckled softly. "I really missed your cocky ass."

Aela walked forward, hugging her tightly. "I really missed your shit eating grin."

Serana felt like she was going to burst into flames. This had to be the one thing that was completely blocked from her? She couldn't read Azriel's emotions in the slightest. Watching them together made her realize how extraordinarily jealous of Azriel she truly was. The two women had a long history together and it pissed her off more. Time seemed to tick by as they hugged, making her more irate.

This had to be the reason Gabriella said to let it go. She knew that this woman obviously cared for Azriel. But, it's more than the deep friendship… She watched them closely and grew even angrier the longer they held one another. She suspected that Azriel hadn't told her the entire truth about the werewolf.

Azriel finally pulled away and Aela brushed her hair out of her face. She took in her features as she hooked Azriel's hair behind her ear. Her smile faded as she grew concerned. "Azriel, when's the last time you slept?"

"This morning for a couple of hours. Why?" Azriel raised an eyebrow at her.

"Because, you look like shit… Have you been eating well?"

Azriel cleared her throat. "I ate today."

There's no way you've been eating and sleeping regularly… "And how long before today did you go without either?"

"Um… a couple of days." Azriel answered her quietly.

Aela's eyebrow crept up.

"Okay, more like a week. But, I'm fine, Mother."

Aela tightened her grip on Azriel. "You went a week without sleeping or eating?! Are you crazy? You're a werewolf! I've told you that you can't do that before. You'll lose control of your wolf and it will take over to fend for itself."

Serana growled lowly behind Azriel. Let her go or I'll rip your fucking arms off...

"Alright, I get it. Get off my back. We were busy." Azriel moved, pulling away from her. Her tunic shifted as she did, the open collar pulling slightly off her shoulder. It exposed her throat and the faint bite marks on her neck.

Aela's hand slowly slid down Azriel's cheek and pulled the tunic back. Her eyes lingered on the bite marks and then traveled to the smirking vampire behind Azriel.

Serana knew what she was looking at, and for the first time, smiled fully at her. She knew it was evil, but she didn't care. History or not, Azriel was hers and she had no intention to let the werewolf just walk in and steal her away.

Aela's eyes didn't leave the vampire's. "Has this… vampire... been drinking your blood?"

Azriel closed her eyes and let out a long breath. This definitely sucks… "Yeah. She has."

Azriel opened her eyes when she felt Aela looking at her. The layers of silver held anger and resentment, but also hurt in them. Azriel could feel Aela becoming angry at Serana, she knew any second Aela was going become very frightening.

"I see… So let me get this right…" Aela glanced from Azriel to Serana. "…you're not eating or sleeping, but you let this vampire drink your blood."

Way too calm for Aela…

Azriel coughed and Serana narrowed her eyes at Aela.

Aela didn't say anything and for a few moments all three were silent.

Azriel shifted uncomfortably in the weight of their silence. She could hear the breeze and the dragon shift the more uncomfortable she became. She could feel both women's eyes boring into her, waiting for her to say something.

Aela looked at the vampire and had a bold desire to wipe the smirk of her face. Azriel was acting strangely and she didn't like it. Aela waited as Azriel shifted more and more in place, looking uncomfortable. The way she averted her eyes spoke volumes to her. She's hiding something…

Aela let her eyes sweep the vampire's form, keenly aware that the vampire was doing the same to her. She had to admit the raven haired woman wasn't just beautiful, she was drop-dead gorgeous. The vampire was standing behind Azriel, protectively. Why? A cold chill slowly made its way through Aela's body. She glanced at Azriel, who was staring at the dragon and completely avoiding her. She looked at the bite marks on her neck. Why would she let the vampire bite her? Azriel could be extremely caring with people, but Aela didn't think she knew any vampires. But, it didn't explain why she'd let a vampire bite her… Unless… You're sleeping with her...

Aela growled at the revelation. I leave you alone for a few weeks and you're sleeping with a leech? That's fucking… Her temper was flaring and she tried not to show it. She let her eyes linger on the vampire's burning orbs. She could see the coldness and resentment growing in them.

Aela slowly smiled at the vampire. Two can play this game, bitch... She leaned forward and kissed Azriel softly on the lips, but kept her eyes fixed on the vampire behind her watching Serana silently steam.

Azriel pulled away quickly, shocked. "What in Oblivion was that for?"

Aela smirked, looking back at the Dragonborn. "Happy Birthday, Shield-Sister. I just remembered what day today is and your birthday has passed."

This is seriously going to end in a bloodbath… Azriel could feel the coldness radiating off of Serana's body. "Um… thanks." She muttered quickly, wanting to pull herself free from Aela's grasp, but her body refused to listen to her. The heat pulsed from Aela and the comfort she felt in the woman's arms was both wonderful and torture at the same time.

Serana was already over the woman's infernal presence. "Azriel, we need to go."

Azriel heaved a sigh. The coldness in Serana's voice wasn't lost on her. "I know."

Aela looked between the two. "Go? Where are you going?"

"That's not your concern, mortal." Serana hissed at her.

"Chill, Serana. It was just a question." Azriel spoke quietly, taking a step away from Aela.

She looked from Serana to Aela and shook her head. This wasn't what she hoped for at all. She had foolishly hoped they would get along. But, why the fuck would they? I know how I feel for them and it's fucking selfish to think they would just let another woman feel that for me. Azriel wanted to kick herself for her own selfish greed. She wanted them both and the two women would never go for that. She was going to hurt them no matter what she did.

She wasn't oblivious to Aela's feelings and she care for the Huntress. She had already said the words out loud to Farkas. She had fought the Huntress every step of their friendship, but standing in front of her now, Azriel was a simpering idiot. With Serana, things had become more complex.

Azriel could feel her head beginning to ache. She rubbed her face and walked over to Saaraadgraat.

"Drem. Yol. Lok. My Thuri." The dragon bowed its head to her.

"Drem. Yol. Lok. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner, elder."

The dragon laughed softly. "You were preoccupied, Dovahkiin. It is of no consequence."

Azriel was still trying to figure out what the difference was about the dragon. She looked at Aela again and rubbed the back of her head in thought. "What's different about you two?" She mumbled more to herself than him.

The dragon laughed harder. "Mu ofuun sil grin."

"I officially have a headache." Azriel huffed looking at him. "Why did you bond with her?"

"It was my wish." Saaraadgraat shifted under her stare.

Azriel sighed again and sat on the ground in front of him, rubbing her aching head.

"You didn't answer me, Azriel." Aela walked over to where she was sitting and knelt down. When Azriel didn't look up, Aela set her hand on top of Azriel's.

"A lot has been happening Aela, I don't know where to start." Azriel shook her hair into her face.

Aela brushed it aside. "I hate when you do that. Tell me what's going on… start at the beginning."

"Azriel, we don't have time for this, it's getting dark out." Serana huffed at her.

"Are you afraid of the dark, leech?" Aela growled at her.

"Fuck you, dog." Serana answered curty.

"Would you both please stop?" Azriel yelled. "You haven't known each other for more than five minutes and you already hate each other."

Aela gripped Azriel's hand tighter. "I'm sorry…"

Azriel pulled her hand away and kept her voice low. "Don't insult her. It's beneath you, Aela."

Azriel cleared her throat and stood up. "I found Serana in a cave in the East when I went there for the Dawnguard. She had…"

"Wait, why would you join the Dawnguard? They're just another extremist group like the Silver-Hand…" Aela was shocked.

"I know that…" Azriel started to pace. "I cut a deal with a vampire for some information I needed. I went to check things out because I thought I could get the information and wash my hands of the group. Somehow I thought things might actually be simple."

Azriel ignored both women and continued to talk. "I found Serana and she had an Elder Scroll… and…"

"Wait. You found another Scroll? Fuck, I thought finding one was 'the find of a lifetime'?"

Azriel stopped pacing and looked at Aela. "Yeah, I did too." She glanced at Serana's shocked face.

"Azriel, why didn't you tell me you found a Scroll? This makes more sense now…" Serana asked, curious why she hadn't mentioned this beforehand.

"It never seemed important. Why?"

"My Thur, the Scrolls are of vast importance. They choose the finder, otherwise they are not found."

"Can I please finish?!" Azriel growled loudly and all three back away from her.

Azriel started to pace again, running her hand over her head. "Anyways… Serana needed to go home and so we traveled to Solitude. After that, I left and went to my place there… I had a small run in with Tullius and that bitch Elenwen." Aela rolled her eyes at the mention of the Thalmor Ambassador's name. "Then I went home to Whiterun and met up with you." Azriel said looking at Aela. "After we parted ways again… I went to find Nahfahlaar and then to my hunting cabin in Falkreath. Serana found me there." She looked at Serana and smiled at her.

Aela stifled a growl. She knew Azriel had a tendency to sleep around. She could sort of understand why. But this? This she couldn't understand. This is worse than that bitch Janessa…

It was bad enough that Azriel was traveling with a vampire, but to be sleeping with her made Aela angrier than a wounded sabre cat. It really infuriated her that the vampire seemed to be amused with her anger.

Aela caught the vampire's smile back and this time couldn't restrain the growl. You want a fight, bitch? You got one… "That doesn't tell me where you are going, Azriel."

"That is not your concern." Serana added with an air of finality.

"Seriously, Serana? Relax." The smile left Azriel's face as quickly as it had come. "Long story short, we're chasing down a scholar from Cyrodiil. He's a Moth Priest and can read Elder Scrolls. He's gone to the College in Winterhold…"

Aela was perplexed. "Why don't you just read it like you did the last one?"

Serana looked sharply between Aela and Azriel. "You read an Elder Scroll?"

"Yeah, I had to call Alduin back to the time tear… look it's not important." Azriel said, shrugging it off.

"It is always important, Dovahkiin. You were chosen to…"

Azriel rolled her eyes at the dragon's comment. "Yeah, I know… I'm the chosen one… blah blah blah. It's getting really fucking old. Look, we're heading to the College of Winterhold. I'm guessing he came here for the Dragon Scroll you and I dropped off."

"You left an Elder Scroll at the College? Azriel, we need to go now!" Serana looked alarmed.

"What the fuck was I supposed to do with it? Drag it around for eternity?" Azriel shot back.

"Azriel, if my Father gets a hold of that Scroll… it may lead him to find answers to this Prophecy in some way."

Aela looked between the two of them. "Prophecy? What prophecy? Azriel, I'm coming with you."

"The fuck you are." Both Serana and Azriel answered her.

Aela glared at the Azriel and Azriel sighed. "I know that fucking look… you can't come with us, Aela."

"Who's going to stop me?" Aela's voice held a deadly threat to it. "I didn't come all this way to find you just to be told to go home like a good little girl."

Azriel sighed. "Aela, that's not what I meant. There are vampires looking for Serana and me. Serana's father is trying to bring about a Prophesy to end the Sun. If he finds us, he'll drag Serana back to her castle in chains and he wants me dead. There are Stormcloaks everywhere and the Blades are killing the dov. It's dangerous and most likely I…"

Aela stepped forward. "It is dangerous, that's why I'm going with you. I didn't abandon you when you went to fight the World Eater. I know about Odahviing… the rest we'll take as it comes."

Serana growled as Aela's hand cupped Azriel's cheek.

Azriel lifted her eyes to Aela's. "I brought Odahviing back."

"Hi los Thur do dovah!" Saaraadgraat roared.

Aela practically jumped into Azriel's arms, not expecting his roar. "What the fuck? What do you mean you brought him back?"

Saaraadgraat lowered his head. "That right is only for the Thur! It proves the Old One's claim is not true!"

"From Aetherius… Odahviing is alive." Azriel looked from Aela to Saaraadgraat. "I don't care what it proves, Saaraadgraat! Paarthurnax does rule and he will continue to do so… I don't want it!"

"You will eventually, my Thuri. I feel it within you. You will claim your right to rule." The dragon's tongue flicked from its mouth.

Azriel rubbed her face with both hands, there wasn't a point in arguing. But, another thought struck her as she looked at the dragon.

"Saaraadgraat, the Blades are downing the dovahhe with poisoned arrows. You can hunt the plains, but do not fight them. I don't give a shit about your pride. If I am Thur, then you will listen to me." She thought a little more about the other dov. "Go find other Dovahhe that will listen to you. Tell them what is happening and to spread word on the winds. Tell them the Dovahkiin wishes them to seek the Old One and that I will offer Grah-Zeymahzin, all who accept will have the Sky. Send them to the Old One so they may hear his Thu'um. That is my command."

"If they will not accept your offer?" His golden eye fixed on her's.

Azriel growled softly. "Tell them 'They shall hear my Thu'um in battle and I will feast on their soul.'"

The dragon bowed his head deeply to her. "I will obey, my Thur."

He spread his wings and lifted into the air. Azriel took a deep breath. Now what the fuck do I do about them? She turned around facing the two women she cared for more than anything and decided to avoid that question all together.

"Serana, whether you like it or not… We need all the help we can get. We can't possibly do this on our own." Serana started to argue, but Azriel held up her hand. "If you want to stop your father, Aela is coming with us."

Serana looked crestfallen for a moment. She looked from Azriel to Aela and bit her lip.

Azriel didn't waste any more time and started walking down the road. She looked over her shoulder at them, still standing there glaring at each other. "Winterhold is this way."


Serana was walking on Azriel's left side and kept glancing at the two silent women on her right. As much as she disliked Aela's intrusion, Azriel was right. They needed every bit of help they could get. She let herself fall half a step behind the two and looked over at Aela. The werewolf shot her a filthy look and kept walking.

She's no fool. She already knows… good, then she can back the fuck off of Azriel.

Serana saw Azriel stifle a yawn and wondered how long she could keep up their fast pace. She hadn't slept more than a couple of hours and the only real meal she had was at the tavern. It worried her that she pressed herself so far past exhaustion. Even Aela had noticed.

Serana fell back in step with the two, pondering her thoughts. As much as she hated to admit it, Aela was stimulating. She extruded confidence to the point of being borderline arrogant. Serana would have found her commanding air attractive in any other circumstance. She was definitely a warrior and Serana didn't detect any real magical abilities in the woman. It was blatantly obvious she cared for Azriel beyond any friendship. But, there was something different about her and as much as Aela pissed her off, the woman intrigued Serana.

It made it worse that the Nord was attractive physically as well. She wore her scarlet hair similarly to Azriel's, almost to her elbows. It was obvious that the woman cared for her appearance even if she wore ridiculous war paint on her face. The woman was naturally beautiful. Which, if Serana had to guess, was probably why she wore the paint.

Serana could sense she was a powerful werewolf even before she had transformed. Aela was definitely older than Azriel, but her age was difficult to determine because of her wolf blood. She's what, maybe twenty-two or twenty-three?

Serana chastised herself for thinking about the woman in such a manner. You're not supposed to find you're competition attractive!

Serana glanced up at the darkening sky worriedly. They were almost to the old ruins where she had caught and killed the messenger. "Azriel, it's getting dark out. Maybe we should stop for the night."

Azriel looked at her. "You're worried we'll be found?"

"Yeah, I am. You haven't really slept that much and after earlier, I know you're tired." Serana ran her fingers through Azriel's hair.

Aela growled watching her. Seriously, bitch?

Azriel yawned. "Alright, but there's not much around. Maybe we can find a cave or something."

Serana groaned at the mention of a cave. "There's an old ruin up ahead."

Aela grumbled. "Ruins mean Draugr, vampire."

Azriel was already getting cranky. "Fine. The ruin it is. I'll seal the doors when we get inside."


Azriel looked at the old ruins. There were definitely Draugr inside. She let out an annoyed breath as she picked the lock and pushed open the old Nordic door. Inside was a cold antechamber, but it was big enough for the three of them to comfortably settle down for the night. The foyer had a series of very small vent holes, which would make it safe for them to build a fire in the old hearths. Mercifully, the foyer was completely shut off from the rest of the ruin and she could seal them in for the night without much effort.

She looked at Aela already setting up their small encampment. "Here. There's plenty inside." Azriel chucked her ruck sack at Aela with a smile. She looked at the small hearths in the walls on opposing ends and willed them to life. Aela rummaged around in her sack and Azriel set to work on locking the doors.

Aela smirked. "Plenty of fucking apples… You're worse than a skooma addict." She murmured to herself. She heard the vampire stifle a giggle, but didn't look at her.

Azriel closed her eyes and held both of her hands in front of the door. A purple-green light grew around the doors in the back and flashed to red multiple times. Serana sat fascinated as she watched her work, listening to her whisper softly the incantations. Azriel delicately weaved the enchantment together, combining fire ruins on one side of the door and an impenetrable lock on the other.

After several minutes, the glow faded to a dull light and Azriel moved to the other set of doors. She recited the same incantation slowly over the course of several minutes. When she finished, she turned and saw Serana's soft smile in the firelight.

"That's impressive. Where did you learn to do that?" Serana asked quietly.

Azriel smirked. "I wrote it based off an old spell I found. I've gotten blown up a few times trying it, but I eventually figured it out. Sometimes, these ruins can be ridiculously long and there's nothing worse than waking up surrounded by a bunch of pissed off Draugr."

Azriel grazed her fingers as she paused before walking by her and Serana sighed quietly. The comfort of her electric touch was fleeting and she was really sick of the other werewolf's company already. She could see the disappointment in Azriel's eyes as she moved away from her. Serana longed to feel the Dragonborn's burning skin against her own. It seemed that would have to wait.

Aela was setting up to cook over the fire as Azriel walked over. "Want some help?"

Aela cracked a smile. "Not from the human flame. Just go sit down and don't burn anything."

Azriel chuckled and looked at the pot she was adding vegetables to. "You've been hanging out with Lydia way… too… much." Azriel's voice died.

Aela looked at her concerned. "What's wrong?"

Azriel swallowed hard. "Lydia…"

"What about her?" Aela asked, she knew something was seriously wrong by the expression on Azriel's face.

"There was an attack on Whiterun last night. My Housecarl Calder… was ripped to pieces. Aela, Brill was killed and Lydia…"

"Azriel, what kind of attack? Brill is dead? What the fuck happened to Lydia?" Aela grew instantly irritated at the news and stood.

"Lydia was taken…" Azriel looked away. "…vampires attacked Whiterun dressed like Legion soldiers. No one knows what's happened to her."

Aela started to move to the door and Azriel grabbed her hand. "No… no Aela… as much as it kills me… we aren't going after her. Vilkas is."

"Have you lost your mind? We can find her faster than that ice-brain can!" Aela yelled at her.

Azriel closed her eyes in shame. "Aela, we have to trust Vilkas… Trust me…"

Aela glared at her. "Has this vampire poisoned your mind somehow? Azriel, this is Lydia we're talking about! How do you know she isn't behind this?" Aela was seething.

Serana hissed from behind Aela.

Azriel's eyes snapped open. "No she isn't, Aela. I trust Serana with my life! She doesn't have anything to do with this!"

"What else do you trust her with?" Aela yelled back. Damn it…

Azriel started to shake in her rage, she could feel Serana's anger at the insinuation and her own melting together. "Vilkas is going after her. We have to stop these vampires from attacking and the only way we can do that is by figuring out what they are trying to find."

"So you're willing to gamble Lydia's life on this?" Aela growled at her.

Azriel smashed her fist into the wall, the sickening crunch of bones and rock echoed around them. The fire in the hearth blew upward and the temperature in the antechamber fell.

Serana sprang forward faster than Aela could see her move and took Azriel's hand carefully, hissing at the damage she had done to it.

"I would love to just be able to walk out of here and save one person I care about over the thousands I don't. I wish it were that simple, but it isn't." Azriel's rage fueled her on. "I want to say 'to the Void with the rest of the world', Aela! I'd be more than happy to march out of here tonight and go and find her. But, I can't!" Azriel ripped her broken hand from Serana's and crushed into a fist. The pain seared through her arm.

Aela clenched her jaw in frustration. "Azriel, it's your duty to protect your Shield-Siblings… We can figure out what these vampires are doing later. We need to help Lydia!"

"It's not that simple!" Azriel growled at her.

"Azriel, take a deep breath. This prophecy can wait… this vampire can wait."

"No, it can't and I'm not leaving Serana to be captured!" Azriel took a deep breath, trying not to explode. "More than one person's life is on the line, Aela. It's more than just Lydia… it's all of you. The rest can rot in the Void for all I care."

"Azriel, if innocent lives are on the line that's one thing..."

Azriel's were beginning to glow. "Innocent? How are they fucking innocent? They're selfish… they lie… they fight endless wars to serve themselves! Tell me how they are innocent!"

"What's gotten into you? We're honor bound to protect innocent lives, Azriel! It's our duty as Companions!" Aela yelled back.

"Don't talk to me about duty, Aela… don't you dare tell me how I should be saving their worthless skins after everything they've done. They do nothing for anyone but themselves, nothing at all! Just because you think you have a proud heritage doesn't mean I see it the same way. Nords are racist pigs, prove to me how wrong I am. Show me how they aren't self-serving! How many times have you heard their complaints? How many times, Aela? How many times have they asked me for everything and never so much have said thank you? How many times have they asked for the ridiculous? Yet, here I am… going to save their asses again."

"Then let this vampire go! Let her sort out her own affairs." Aela raged back at her.

"Absolutely not! Her father will destroy her to get to what he wants." Azriel crushed her fists tighter, letting the pain check her rage. "Aela, I've seen what will happen when the Sun dies. Your people will flounder when they fight in the plane of Coldharbour. They will enslave, murder, and rape each other for the favor of their masters. Your race and the races of Men and Mer will suffer and die. This world will end if Serana's father succeeds!"

She had never heard Azriel speak with the cold reptilian voice that now gripped her. "You've seen it…?"

Aela shivered at the burning in Azriel's eyes, they were as cold as a dragon's. She heard the vampire hiss when Azriel had spoken of her father. Serana had inhale sharply when Azriel said the word 'Coldharbour' and Aela focused back on Azriel.

"Yet, with all that said, I know I don't have a fucking choice. I'm choosing the masses over one… and I'm doing it to save all of you! Aela, I don't have much time left to fuck around with this…"

Aela caught the look of dread on the vampire's face as she moved closer to Azriel.

"I have seen this world ruled by vampires and Daedroth. The end of Nirn will signal the rise of Coldharbour. The death of the Sun will trigger their merge. If that happens, I will summon Alduin to destroy this world when the spirit of the joor breaks."

Aela recoiled from her, watching Serana shake violently.

"Don't speak of duty, Aela. I choose the masses that I care nothing for, to save the few that I do. I have no choice in my life nor will I in death. I have to let Lydia go, knowing that she will probably endure torture or far worse." Azriel sat on the ground cradling her hand. "I can only hope Vilkas will find her before it's too late."

Aela stared at her, blown away. She watched as Azriel sat staring at the floor, her hand glowing softly as it healed. She knew Azriel had terrible nightmares, but had never pressed her into talking about them. Aela had always focused on comforting her, not making her talk about it if she didn't want to. Now, to hear her speak made her blood run cold.

Aela didn't know what to say. She looked at the vampire that clung to the wall. Serana's eyes were scrunched closed and she was breathing hard. She was still shaking like a leaf in the wind, making Aela almost pity her.

Aela took a deep breath, still watching Azriel as she healed herself. She shifted and put her arm on her knee and cradled her head in her hand. "If you want to go after her, I'll unlock the door for you. I won't blame you for wanting to. But, I am staying with Serana. I refuse to watch this world crumble into dust and to lose my friends to the horrors of my dreams."

Aela stood motionless, trying to find her voice.

Azriel didn't look up and Serana slowly slid down the wall, staring off into space.

"I'm staying with you… Vilkas will find her." Aela's voice was almost inaudible.

She heard Azriel exhale harshly and watched her flex her healed hand.

Azriel remained silent, looking at her hand. She could feel the anguish in Serana, but she couldn't bring herself to speak anymore. To do so would only embarrass Serana in front of Aela or cause another fight. She was tired and had no energy left to talk to either of them. She crawled between the two large bedrolls and pulled them closer together so that they overlapped. If they wouldn't be kind to one another, she'd force them to at least have to share the same space. Azriel laid down her bitterness mounting, her entire body was throbbing from the cold resentment that filled her.


I've really enjoyed writing the last three chapters. Originally, they were meant to be one. But ~WOW~ over 15k words is a little much for a single chapter.

I'd really like to thank you guys for taking the time to review the story. I hope you are enjoying the pace and the tension. Trust me... it's going to get more heated as their travels really begin and there are some very important things I hope you've started to notice as the story has progressed. :)

With that... I hope you had a nice weekend. And the next chapters will be up soon.