I was greatly inspired by The Hunger Games to write that scene at the very end. You know, the part where they've just come out of the tubes and they're waiting for the countdown to end? Everything is quiet and all Katniss can hear is the sound of her own heartbeat and breathing? Read it just like that. My next chapter might be a little late cause I need to focus all my attention for the next two days on my Cosplay props. My boyfriend and I are dressing up as members of the Survey Corps from Attack of Titan and we're building our own Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear. It's actually really easy to make if you've got the right materials.
On a side note, this book of the series will be drawing to a close in at least fifteen chapters and I strongly encourage my readers to start thinking up questions that I can answer in the Author's Note section of my Epilogue.
I hope you enjoy this. Please remember to Fave/Follow/Review and be sure to share this story with your friends.
If you want to follow me socially, I have a Twitter account: NikkiNicole159 and I also have a Deviant Art account: Nicky-Nightmare
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A summer storm hit them on the way to Whiterun and forced the carriage driver to stop at a nearby cave so they could shelter from the freezing rain. They were surprised to find that there was already someone taking shelter in the cave, a menacing looking Orsimer by the name Grognak gro-Gulag. His gray-dusted black hair was tied into a topknot, and black warpaint surrounded his muddy brown eyes and streaked down his green skin. They thought that the orc would make them leave or start swinging the enormous warhammer at them, but instead he welcomed them in and urged their soaked group to sit by the fire he had built.
Eager to get out of the freezing rain and warm up, their group took him up on the offer and they introduced themselves to Grognak.
"My name is Vilkas," her husband told the orc, "and this is my wife, Lassarina, and our shield-siblings Aela and Finverior."
"And I'm Amelia Degarmo of Riften," the petite Breton said politely.
Their carriage driver nodded at the orc. "Bjorlam."
Grognak nodded to each of them before turning to Vilkas with intrigue reflecting in his eyes. "You referred to your friends as 'shield-siblings.' Might you be Companions?"
"That, we are," Aela answered. "Vilkas and I are both members of the Inner Circle, advisers to the Harbinger himself, and Finverior and Lassarina are some of our more experienced members."
"Our other jobs keep us pretty busy," Finverior quipped slyly.
Lassarina elbowed the Bosmer in the ribs and shot him a warning glare, earning a snicker from him. Grognak didn't need to know they were thieves or he might just kick them out of the cave.
"Other jobs?" Grognak repeated.
"If being a mother to twins can be considered a job," Lassarina chuckled, thankful she had something to say in lieu of being a thief. "And Finverior's uncle is a mage in the College of Winterhold, so he's always being charged with the task of locating herbs he can use to practice alchemy."
"I see. Well, could you tell me if the Companions are recruiting?"
Lassarina glanced at Vilkas and Aela and saw them having a silent conversation they had no doubt had several times in their lives. They kept looking at the orc, measuring his worth with their trained eyes and wondering if he would make a good addition to the Companions.
"He looks plenty strong to me," Lassarina commented with a shrug, digging through her pack and pulling out a cast iron pot so she could start cooking something.
"Have you ever fought before?" Aela asked him.
Grognak snorted a bit and rolled a shoulder. "You don't grow up in an orc stronghold without getting into at least a dozen fights before adolescence. Aye, I can fight. I can also forge weapons and enchant them and am adept in Alteration and Destruction magic."
Lassarina saw Aela and Vilkas's noses immediately wrinkle in distaste when he said magic, and she rolled her eyes. "Oi, don't forget that Finverior, Avyanna, and I can use magic; and we're still Companions."
"It's not our decision anyway," Vilkas muttered. "It's ultimately up to the Harbinger whether or not you can join the Companions, Grognak."
"So you'll most likely be a Companion before the end of the week," Finverior told him.
"Aye, my brother will probably welcome a warrior as strong looking as you," Lassarina agreed with a smile.
"The Harbinger is your brother?" Grognak asked.
"My older brother and he's been Harbinger for about . . . three years now?"
Aela nodded. "Sounds about right."
"He accepted that bumbling fool Erendriel," Finverior said, taking several bottles of mead out from his pack.
"Stop picking on Eren," Lassarina huffed. "He may have had some trouble in the beginning, but he's an excellent fighter now."
"Still doesn't stop him from getting injured every day."
Vilkas and Aela both chuckled a bit at that, and Lassarina shot them a playful glare. She was good friends with Erendriel but had to admit that it was pretty funny that the clumsy Bosmer back at Jorrvaskr was always getting himself hurt.
"You're more than welcome to travel with us to Whiterun, Grognak, and meet with our Harbinger," Vilkas told the orc, who looked extremely confused at why everyone was chuckling.
"I'd appreciate that," Grognak replied. "Perhaps I'll finally be able to stay in one place, rather than wander around aimlessly."
oOo
They set back out the next day, and after a while Finverior and Amelia both got off the carriage so they could walk to Windhelm together, where they would then split and go their separate ways. Lassarina didn't try to talk them into staying with them and wished them well on the road, silently hoping no dragons would attack either of her friends.
Two days later they finally reached Whiterun and walked through the gates feeling a heavy weight lift off their shoulders. Lassarina was excited to see her children and her brother after a little over three weeks away. She didn't even realize she was rushing over to Breezehome until Vilkas pulled her back.
"I doubt they'd be home in the middle of the day, love," Vilkas said with a smile. "Farkas and Avyanna probably have them up at Jorrvaskr."
"Right," she murmured, a bit embarrassed. "I'm just anxious to see them already."
"I know, I am too."
"Hey, I'm anxious to see my son too," Aela said, walking past them with Grognak. "Gods know what kind of trouble he got into while we were away."
They all hurried to Jorrvaskr, nodding to citizens of Whiterun who greeted them and welcomed them back in passing. Lassarina could notice a touch of eagerness in Vilkas's eyes that mirrored her own, and they took the steps two at a time before throwing open the doors of Jorrvaskr. They were welcomed by the warmth of the ever-blazing fire that stood in the center of the dining hall and saw Erendriel and Athis sitting at the table with Avyanna and Ria beside them. They all looked up when the doors opened and stared at them in shock, Avyanna completely forgetting about the sweetroll she was biting into.
"We're back," Lassarina sighed, breaking the silence.
"Mama!" shouted Randulf as he ran over to Aela.
Aela met her son half way and scooped him off the ground, holding him close to her and even shedding a tear, likely remembering how she came so close to losing her life and leaving him an orphan. "Oh, I missed you, my little wolf."
"Where you go?" the young lad asked, his language skills having vastly improved in the last few months.
"I went to a very strange place, pup, one I never wish to visit again. You won't have to worry about me leaving for a few months."
"Lassarina, Vilkas, it's so good to see you home," Avyanna said, having gotten up from her chair to greet them.
Lassarina's eyes widened at how much bigger Avyanna's belly had gotten, but she hugged her sister-in-law the moment she reached them. She was nearly six months pregnant now and would be due to deliver in just three months.
"Gods, Anna, how big is that kid going to be when she comes out?" Vilkas chuckled, hugging Avyanna as well.
"Ugh, don't make me even think about it," she muttered, pulling away to rest her hands on her belly. "Seems all he wants me to do is eat."
"Still think it's going to be a lad then?"
"Aye, and you and Farkas will owe me some money once he's born."
"Speaking of children, where are mine?" Lassarina demanded, already over-anxious to see them.
"They're downstairs," Avyanna replied. "They haven't left Einarr alone once since you two left, but he seems to enjoy having them around."
"How is Einarr doing?" Vilkas asked, his face expressing concern.
Avyanna tipped her head to the side a bit and bit down on her lower lip. "I'll let you find out yourselves."
Lassarina turned to Grognak, who had been awkwardly standing by the door. "We'll be back soon so you can speak to Einarr. Until then, make yourself at home."
Taking Vilkas's hand, Lassarina headed down the stairs to the living quarters, both of them practically sprinting down the hall to Einarr's room. The second they stepped into the anteroom, they saw their children sitting on the fur rug in the center of the floor. Lyanna was playing with the stuffed bear Kiraya had given her the day she was born and Faolan was occupying himself by stacking several septims into a tower. Her heart clenched at the sight of the two toddlers and she couldn't stop the tears of joy that sprang to her eyes.
"Papa! Mama!" Lyanna cried out happily, finally lifting her head and seeing them.
Faolan looked up as well and a smile appeared on his face as he got up and ran over to Lassarina. She picked him up right away and held him close, kissing the top of his head several times while Vilkas held Lyanna, being careful not to crush her against his armored chest. His eyes were closed, but Lassarina could see how happy he was from the smile on his face.
"Did my little lass miss Papa?" Vilkas asked Lyanna softly as he stroked her hair.
"Aye," Lyanna answered.
He looked at Faolan. "What about you, little warrior?"
Faolan nodded and reached out for Vilkas. Lassarina smiled at her husband and they exchanged children, taking the chance to kiss Lyanna's soft hair once her daughter was in her arms. The happy reunion was everything Lassarina had been expecting, but her happiness turned into shock when she looked at her brother standing at the doorway of his bedroom. Standing!
"Oh my gods," she gasped, talking a step forward. "Einarr . . ."
"I'm glad you've come back safe," he smiled, his eyes warm.
"Shor's stones!" Vilkas exclaimed as he stared at Einarr. "You're standing!"
"I can walk too, in case you were wondering."
Her brother backed up his statement by walking over to them and pulling Lassarina in for a hug. Lassarina held onto Lyanna with one arm while she threw the other around her brother's neck, relieved to see him out of that damned bed and on his feet, walking around!
"How is this possible?" Lassarina asked, pulling away. "Danica said it would be at least two months before you would-"
"Hircine," Einarr cut her off. "And Aela. When she changed form, I felt her pain through our blood bond and it triggered my own transformation."
"You turned inside Jorrvaskr?" Vilkas gasped. "Did anyone see you?"
"Nay, my bad attitude made everyone want to take a job or leave for a few days. Only Farkas, Avyanna, Rohan, and Kiraya know I turned, maybe Tilma, but I've suspected she's known about the Circle long before I ever arrived."
"Did anyone get hurt?" Lassarina asked, concerned.
"I knocked Rohan against the wall when I turned; he needed to be healed. I also clawed Farkas's shoulder and nearly killed Fang."
Lassarina's heart nearly stopped. "Is Fang alright?"
"Aye, he's fine; everyone is fine. Avyanna managed to heal everyone, though Fang refuses to come near me now."
"How did turning help you walk again?" Vilkas asked, confused.
Einarr smirked at him. "Come on now, Vilkas. You were a werewolf far longer than I was; surely you know what happens when we turn. Our bones break-"
"-and our bodies reform," he concluded, shaking his head. "Including the muscle tissue. Gods damn it, it was so obvious. Why couldn't we realize that after you woke?"
"It's easy to forget Einarr's a werewolf when we're cured, love." Lassarina looked at her brother and smiled. "It's just so relieving to see that you're better now, brother."
"Granted, I'm not back to full strength; I run out of breath if I'm standing around too long. I've also had to fall back to one-handed blades and a shield, since I can't seem to wield my greatsword."
"The fact that you can swing a blade at all is a miracle itself. I was worried you might not recover in time to defeat Alduin."
Einarr sighed heavily and took a seat in a nearby chair. "You know, for a while, I thought the same thing. Were you able to find it?"
"Aye, it's in my pack," she explained, passing Lyanna to Vilkas and slipping off her pack so she could pull out the Elder Scroll, safely wrapped in a wolf pelt.
She handed her brother the scroll and he unwrapped the pelt, revealing the gold casing embedded with amethysts. For several moments all Einarr did was stare at the scroll, his fingers twitching occasionally near the opening, as if he were tempted to look upon it, but he resisted. He set it down on the table beside him and sat back against the chair.
"I guess all we need to do now is travel to the Throat of the World and take it to Paarthurnax," he said, staring straight ahead with a distant look in his eyes. "Then this can all end."
That's when it hit Lassarina that it was all nearly over. All the traveling, the danger, the need to constantly have to leave her family while she did the bidding of the Divines. Once they took the scroll to Paarthurnax, they would learn the Shout they needed to defeat Alduin and they'd kill him. Without Alduin, the dragons would no longer be resurrected and Skyrim could go back to the way it was before the dragons came. Which, to her dismay, would mean it would become a country divided by civil war. More death was on the horizon after Alduin's defeat, but at least it wouldn't be her or Einarr's problem.
"We can leave tomorrow," Einarr decided.
Lassarina looked at her brother, alarmed. "Einarr, I want to finish this as much as you do, but we just got back from Blackreach. The place was like a plane of Oblivion. We had too many close calls back there. I'd like to be able to rest and spend some time with my children before I have to go out there again."
Einarr frowned, but nodded. "I understand. How long would you like to stay before we go?"
"Maybe two weeks? It would give you some time to strengthen up a bit more too."
She could tell that Einarr wasn't too keen on waiting two more weeks before they went to High Hrothgar, but he wasn't about to deny her time with her children, especially after everything that happened down in Blackreach.
"Alright, we'll leave in two weeks," Einarr nodded. "Did everyone else make it back all right? Finverior? How's Aela's injury?"
"She had been poisoned by a Falmer toxin, but Vilkas managed to get her back to us in time," she explained to her brother. "Finverior's gone back to Winterhold to . . . spend some time with a mage he met there. We met one of my thieves in the ruins while we were there too. Amelia had been hired onto some expedition and things took a turn for the worse when the Falmer started picking them off one by one. She had been trapped in there nearly two months and was almost killed. She should be on her way to Riften by now."
"What else happened down there? Tell me everything; don't spare a single detail."
For nearly an hour they filled Einarr in on the events that took place in Alftand and then Blackreach, describing the vast cavern and how utterly terrifying it had been, not to mention maddening, to have spent so many days there with no sunlight and constantly in danger of Falmer and chaurus. Lassarina even confessed to her brother and Vilkas how she spoke with Daine while they rested in Dawnstar and how the Thalmor performed the Black Sacrament to have him killed and her captured. They both became angry and worried at that bit of news, but she reassured them that her friend refused the contract and disposed of the Night Mother so that Daine would have full control over the contracts they received from now on.
Once they were done talking to him, Vilkas told Einarr about the orc they had met on the road that wished to join their ranks and become a Companion. He agreed to speak to Grognak and would get Farkas to test out his arm to see if he was good enough to join their ranks.
"But before we do all that, let's head upstairs and celebrate your safe return," Einarr announced, getting up from his chair with a slight grunt. "I'll have Tilma break out the good alcohol."
"Oh, then it's only fitting I drink a few pints," Lassarina chuckled.
"Do you really need to get drunk?" Vilkas sighed.
"Might as well do it now, when the twins won't be able to remember. It'll be just like four years ago when you had to carry me over your shoulder and put me to bed."
Vilkas rolled his eyes and chuckled, giving Lassarina a quick kiss on the lips as they grabbed their children and headed upstairs to the mead hall with Einarr.
oOo
The two weeks passed far too quickly for Lassarina, while they seemed to pass too slowly for Einarr. He was eager to defeat Alduin and spent his days occupying his time by retraining his body to fight, and when he was too exhausted to keep going, he went up to the forge to work on two special sets of armor he had been making with Eorland for months. Every one of the Companions was extremely curious as to what kind of armor Einarr was crafting, but he made sure to keep them secret until they were completely ready. Everyone was amazed at the progress he was making in his recovery, getting stronger each passing day and finally being able to use his greatsword just a couple of days before leaving for High Hrothgar.
Lassarina, in the meantime, was spending all her time with her children and the rest of her family. She spent hours playing with the twins, as well as Trystane, who was already best friends with Faolan, though still a bit awkward around Lyanna. She also spent a lot of time with Avyanna, helping her get ready for the arrival of her child by lending her a hand in picking out toys and soft furs that would make excellent bedding for the crib. There were a couple of hours during the day that she spent training, sparring with Ria or Erendriel and going out with Kiraya and Rohan to hunt deer in the plains.
Einarr had accepted Grognak into the Companions the very night of their return, claiming the orc would make a fine addition to their ranks, and everyone was taking advantage of the new whelp by sending him out to do menial tasks such as delivering weapons and armor or settling hired disputes. They were all tasks that every new Companion did as a sort of initiation, and while Grognak was clearly annoyed at not being given more important jobs, he carried out each task without complaint. After a few days in Jorrvaskr, the orc had already made several friends, but would more often been seen chatting with Vilkas, since the two had a lot in common, sharing the same interests in knowledge and books. They would spend hours talking about books they read, and Lassarina could already see her husband and Grognak were going to be close friends.
But there was one situation that occurred in those two weeks that brought a slight sadness to the halls of Jorrvaskr. Tilma came in to talk to Einarr one morning, saying how she wanted him to hire in a new girl that she could train to tend the halls of Jorrvaskr once she was gone. It made every single one of the Companions become aware of how old Tilma was and that she likely didn't have much time left before she passed on. Their caretaker clearly didn't want to leave this world without knowing that Jorrvaskr had someone to do all of the work she normally did. Einarr heeded her request, and a couple of days later Tilma had a new apprentice to train.
She was a pretty young Nord girl by the name of Rona, with honey-blonde hair and light brown eyes. She hailed from Rorikstead and came to their attention when Erendriel mentioned her, saying that they were both employed at the inn and that she worked there as a barmaid. Einarr had sent Erendriel to offer the girl the job and they returned two days later, Rona eager to get to work. She had a pleasant personality, but wasn't afraid to get tough with any of the Companions if they had too much to drink, something Torvar found out when he retched all over the floor she had just cleaned and received a black eye from her. The drunk Nord couldn't take his eyes off her now and claimed to be in love with her.
But the two weeks of relaxation finally did come to an end, and Lassarina and Einarr made their way to Ivarstead on horseback, choosing to ride through the nights without stopping to sleep and resting once they arrived at the inn. When they were fully rested, they traveled up to High Hrothgar, sparing a few moments to greet the Greybeards before making their way up the mountain pass to Paarthurnax. The ancient dragon had already been awaiting them, perched on a rocky outcrop and gazing at them with excitement in his eyes.
"You have it!" the dragon's voice rumbled. "The Kel-the Elder Scroll. Tiid kreh . . . qalos. Time shudders at its touch." He shifted a bit on the rock to turn his body as Lassarina and Einarr kept walking to the Word Wall nearby. "There is no question, you are doom-driven. Kogaan Akatosh. The very bones of the earth are at your disposal. Go then. Fulfill your destiny. Take the Scroll to the Time-Wound. Do not delay. Alduin will be coming. He cannot miss the signs."
"Wait, Alduin is coming here?" Lassarina gasped, looking up at the skies as if she expected the evil dragon to appear any second.
"He will have noticed your efforts to thwart him."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Einarr growled, holding out the scroll. "Read the Elder Scroll and teach us the Shout."
"Krosis. I cannot learn the Shout created to defeat a dragon. You will have to read the Kel yourself and learn what only it can teach you."
"But that's impossible," Lassarina objected. "No one can read an Elder Scroll without dire consequences. If we don't lose our minds, we'll go blind!"
"Vuun hu'um zahrahmiik. It is a sacrifice you must be willing to make."
Lassarina exchanged a look with her brother and was shocked to see he had already made a decision. With a firm nod he turned away and made his way to the Word Wall. She jogged after her brother, grabbing him by his arm and stopping him from taking another step.
"You can't do this!" she shouted at him. "What if something happens to you? No healer, god or Daedra will be able to fix it! The effects of the scrolls are beyond even their power!"
"We don't have a choice, Lassarina," he told her, his voice tight but determined. "I don't believe anything permanent will happen to me. The Divines wouldn't have put us through all of this, only to have one of us go mad before we have the chance to kill Alduin."
"Einarr, the prophecy said the last Dragonborn. What if this is what undoes one of us? I can't do the rest of this alone."
"We don't have a choice."
Lassarina bit down on her lip for a moment, looking down at the ground and trying to figure out another way. Then she had an idea.
"Then let's read it together."
Einarr blinked. "What?"
"We'll read it together. The Divines won't risk losing both of us, so we'll both read the scroll and they'll have to make sure nothing bad happens to us. They fear Alduin and they know that only we can stop him."
Einarr sighed and looked over at the Time-Wound, easily seen thanks to the snow falling from the sky and accenting the change in the air. It was a small area covered by some unseen wall that prevented the snow from falling in. He would be lying if he said he wasn't scared of reading the scroll. Vilkas had explained to him what effects reading the scroll could have on a person and they were all terrible. Part of him was afraid to let his sister read it because he didn't want her to suffer from any of the effects, but the other part of him was too scared to read it alone.
"We'll read it together," he murmured softly, grabbing Lassarina's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.
His sister smiled at him and they both walked into the Time-Wound. Once they were inside, they each took a deep breath and pulled open the scroll, their eyes widening as the writing inside lit up and burned into their very vision. When they dropped the Elder Scroll, what they saw inside was still visible in the air before them. Both Lassarina and Einarr began to panic and drew in short, rapid breaths as a tunnel of light opened before them and turned the whole world white, while the ear-splitting roar in their heads died down to complete silence.
oOo
Their vision began to clear, but they could not move their bodies or speak as they heard the wind blowing around them. The first thing they noticed was the sky; blood red and covered with smokey black clouds. There were dragons everywhere, flying about and breathing down fire and frost, before flying off with an angry roar. Both of them desperately wanted to move out of the way and take cover, but they were forced to remain where they stood so they could observe and listen.
"Gormlaith!" shouted a male voice nearby. "We're running out of time! The battle . . ."
A dragon's roar interrupted the man, and it landed right in front of Lassarina and Einarr.
"Daar sul thur se Alduin vokrii! Today Alduin's lordship will be restored! But I honor your courage. Krif voth ahkrin. Die now, in vain."
Einarr and Lassarina were forced to turn and their widened eyes at the sight of the man who must have spoken before. He was a Nord, dressed in steel armor and wielding a large axe, staring defiantly at the dragon before him with his one good eye.
"For Skyrim!" the man shouted, charging at the dragon and easily dodging the stream of fire it breathed at him.
They watched as the man valiantly fought the dragon, his axe cutting into its flesh and marring its snout. They had no idea in whose favor the battle would be going, until they were surprised by a Nord woman who ran right past them and started to attack the dragon with her sword. They watched, mouths agape, as the woman climbed onto the dragon's head and sneered down at it as it tried to shake her off.
"Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death!" she roared as she thrust her blade into its skull, killing it instantly.
Gormlaith jumped off the dragon as it fell and turned to the man beside her, who was walking away from the dragon as if it had been a common wolf.
"Hakon! A glorious day, is it not!"
"Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?" he demanded.
She laughed wholeheartedly. "What else is there?"
Hakon continued to walk away from her, surveying the skies. "The battle below goes ill. If Alduin does not rise to our challenge, I fear all may be lost."
"You worry too much, brother. Victory will be ours."
An old man stepped into their vision, dressed in a Greybeard robe and bearing a greatsword on his back. Hakon walked over to the elder Nord and glared at him.
"Why does Alduin hang back?" he demanded. "We've staked everything on this plan of yours, old man."
"He will come," the old Nord told them. "He cannot ignore our defiance. And why should he fear us, even now?"
"We've bloodied him well," Gormlaith boasted. "Four of his kin have fallen to my blade alone this day."
Hakon wandered to the edge of the cliff to look down at the land below as the elder continued to speak. "But none have yet stood against Alduin himself. Galthor, Sorri, Birkir . . ."
"They did not have Dragonrend. Once we bring him down, I promise I will have his head."
"You do not understand," the old man sighed. "Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon. He is beyond our strength." He paused and pulled something out from the pack at his feet. "Which is why I brought the Elder Scroll."
Lassarina wanted to gasp at the sight of the very same Elder Scroll she and Einarr were currently using to see into the past, but she had no mouth to gasp with. It was only her mind that went to the past, nothing else.
Hakon turned back to the old man and Gormlaith. "Felldir! We agreed not to use it!"
"I never agreed. And if you are right, I will not need it."
A dragon flew overhead and the very ground shook from the beat of its mighty wings.
"No," Hakon said. "We will deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now."
"We shall see soon enough," Gormlaith announced, pulling her sword from its sheathe. "Alduin approaches!"
"So be it."
The three Nords approached the Word Wall just as Alduin flew over and landed on it. Perched atop the structure, he glared down at the Nords with murder in his blood-red eyes.
"Meyye!" he roared angrily. "Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah liiv! Zu'u hin daan!"
Alduin Shouted, and fire began to rain down upon them from the sky, but the Nords paid it no mind.
"Let those that watch from Sovngarde envy us this day!" Gormlaith cried her voice echoing with the resonance of a Shout.
Together all three Nords faced Alduin and Shouted as one. "Joor . . . Zah . . . Frul!"
The Shout hit Alduin and enveloped him in a shining aura, pulling him down to the ground and making it impossible for him to fly. Lassarina and Einarr both stiffened and felt the knowledge of the Shout absorb into their minds through time itself. Receiving the knowledge and understanding of the Shout from three separate people was like absorbing a dragon soul. Their minds felt like they were being invaded, and they both felt blood dripping from their noses. The knowledge was almost too much for them to handle and they wanted this vision to end, but they were forced to watch as Alduin fell from the sky, roaring defiantly while the Nords backed away a safe distance.
"Nivahriin joorre!" he snarled. "What have you done? What twisted Words have you created! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first . . . dir ko maar. You will die in terror, knowing your final fate: to feed my power when I come for you in Sovngarde!"
Gormalith had obviously heard enough and walked right up to Alduin. "If I die today, it will not be in terror."
She swung her blade at him and he snapped his jaws. Hakon stepped forward at that moment as well, swinging his axe, while Felldir shouted at Alduin, "Fo . . . Krah Diin!"
"You feel fear for the first time, worm!" Gormlaith continued. "I see it in your eyes! Skyrim will be free!"
Einarr and Lassarina watched as the Nord heroes battled Alduin, slicing into his flesh and stabbing him repeatedly. But, for some unknown reason, it was to no avail. Alduin didn't seem to feel the pain and merely continued to snap his jaws at them until he finally grabbed Gormlaith with his teeth and tossed her aside like a rag doll. The woman slammed into the Word Wall and lay on the ground, her body twisted, bleeding, and lifeless. Lassarina and Einarr could see her eyes had dulled; she was dead.
"No!" Hakon cried, the sorrow in his voice apparent to all. "Damn you!"
Hakon and Felldir continued to fight Alduin, but they soon came to realize it wasn't working.
"It's no use!" Hakon shouted. "Use the scroll, Felldir! Now!"
Felldir backed away and pulled out the scroll, holding it high and drawing it open. "Hold, Alduin on the Wing! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World-Eater! By words with older bones than your own, we break your perch on this age and send you out!"
Hakon had continued to fight Alduin while Felldir read from the scroll, but he soon fell to his knees, badly wounded and exhausted. Alduin turned to Felldir and shouted his Breath of Fire at him, but the old man stood unfazed and unmoving as he continued to read from the scroll.
"You are banished! Alduin, we shout you out from all our endings unto the last!"
At that moment, the Time-Wound opened and surrounded Alduin.
"Faal Kel . . .? Nikriinne . . ."
Alduin's voice faded as he spoke, the Time-Wound closing in on him until he disappeared and left only Hakon and Felldir standing on the mountain.
"You are banished!" Felldir shouted again, his voice echoing throughout the area.
For several moments, the two Nord men stood in silence. Then Felldir closed the scroll and made his way over to Hakon.
"It worked," the younger Nord murmured. "You did it . . ."
"Yes," Felldir said softly. "The World-Eater is gone . . . may the spirits have mercy on our souls."
At that moment the tunnel of light opened before Lassarina and Einarr once again, turning the world white and silencing all sound. They were going back.
oOo
When their vision cleared this time, they could feel their bodies and were both sick to their stomachs and weak to their knees. They both collapsed to the snow-covered ground, taking in deep breaths and wiping the blood from under their noses. Their minds felt numb in those moments, unable to process or function correctly. Lassarina and Einarr looked at each other, concerned for one another and thankful to see that they were both as all right as they could possibly be. They felt themselves beginning to recover and at that moment noticed the sound of flapping wings. They glanced over their shoulder at where they last saw Paarthurnax and found the old white dragon was still there on the ground and staring at something in the sky.
Time seemed to slow in those two seconds it took to turn back around and see what Paarthurnax was staring at. The snow fell at a snail's pace, appearing to just be floating in mid air. Lassarina and Einarr's eyes met at the same instant, dread and fear reflecting in the identical, pale-blue depths. When their heads were fully turned and they tipped them back to look up, the world was completely silent, the wing beats gone and replaced by the sounds of two heartbeats and slow, heavy breathing. He was there, the bane of their existence and the thing that tormented their dreams every night since that fateful day in Helgen.
His blood-red eyes were full of contempt, and he appeared to be openly sneering down at them. Alduin was one cocky son of a bitch, but Lassarina and Einarr couldn't deny that one or both of them could possibly die in those next few moments.
Next Chapter: Einarr and Lassarina fight Alduin and must go to the Blades for help in capturing a dragon alive.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and remember to Fave/Follow/Review!
Much love,
Mirage
