~O~

Family Matters

Anja was standing before the palace of Sheogorath.

She didn't want to question how she had ended up here by the Prince, but she had no other need to. She would speak with her sister on HER grounds now and Elli would listen.

At least, she HOPED so.

She was led inside the palace by Dark Seducers. Sheogorath was already positioned at his throne and smiled cheerfully when she entered.

"Well! You made it!" he said, "What took so long?"

Anja made a face.

Sheogorath stood up when Elli entered the room. He held out two arms.

"My dear wife!" he sighed, placing his arms around her waist. "What have you been doing?"

Elli smiled at him and Anja could see the delight in her eyes. Despite the mismatched nature of them, Elli really seemed to be happy. It actually saddened her because she didn't want to take away her sister's happiness. Maybe if she was able to talk with her alone...

"I found a wandering explorer." Elli told him, not noticing her sister just yet. "I did what I do best."

Sheogorath grinned and nuzzled her nose with his. "I'm sure you did," he said, chuckling, "Was he a screamer?"

"Oh yes."

"My dear, sweet, homicidal queen!" Sheogorath crooned.

Anja grimaced when they met lips. It was a passionate, open-mouthed kiss that left her feeling uncomfortable to be watching it.

Even worse, Sheogorath opened his eyes and looked beyond his wife to her, as if wanting to see what sort of reaction she would have. Anja knew what he was doing and glared back at him. She made no further reaction when they parted either. No reason for him to have any sort of advantage.

"Oh! Seems we have a visitor to our little piece of paradise!" Sheogorath gestured to Anja. "Your big sister decided to stop by!"

Elli turned and regarded Anja impassively. It was a strange difference to how she was on Mundus. There was nothing violent in her gaze, nor particularly friendly either.

"Elli..." she began.

Elli gestured with one finger for her to follow and Anja did just that, following her out into the gardens. Elli was rather silent before she approached Akhos, stroking her head gently.

"You've come far to see me," she said.

Anja nodded her head with a weak smile. "That I did." she remarked. "A servant of your husband needed me as well. Sheogorath was away too long, according to him."

Elli furrowed her brow. "So I was simply just an added bonus?"

"Elli, don't do this," Anja pleaded calmly. "You KNOW you weren't."

Instead of argument, the younger sibling merely exhaled, as if she had finished carrying a great weight for miles. The behavior was strange to Anja, but at least there was no fighting.

"Anja, why have you come?" Elli stroked Akhos' chin, almost ignoring her.

"To see you."

"You continue to say that, though why can I not believe you?"

Anja didn't know how to respond to this change. Elli wasn't yelling, nor was she really putting up any form of a fight. She just spoke so...calmly and with much more control than her sister was known to have. A small part of her could see that perhaps becoming a Daedric Queen had improved her personality.

No. That couldn't be right.

"You won't let yourself believe me," Anja said, sadly, "But I am to blame for that. The secret I kept from you...that was wrong." She watched Elli turn partly to her, a glimmer of surprise lighting her Daedric features. "It doesn't matter what intentions I had; you should have known the truth from the start instead of suffering in silence."

Elli was quiet, contemplating her words.

"Elli, I'm sorry. For everything that happened to you." Anja told her, shrugging her shoulders sadly, "Really, I am. No matter what though, you are still my sister."

Her sister was silent once more.

"You should not remain, Anja." she said, quietly. "I will send you back. Serana is worried for you."

Anja shook her head when Elli raised her hand. "Elli, no, wait!" she pleaded, "Lis-"

But her plea was cut short when she was teleported from the Isles in a swirl of violet and black. Elli stared at the place her sister used to occupy and let out a small sigh.

Later that day - as much as time could pass in a Daedric Prince's realm - Sheogorath found Elli in the torture chambers, busy at work pulling the wings from a bird.

"How is my dear wife fairing?" he crooned. "I thought I heard the sounds of a bird's wings being pulled off. That, or Relmyna is screaming again. Both sound distinctly similar."

"I am troubled, husband." Elli said, quietly.

Sheogorath's smile disappeared a little. "Troubled?" he asked, moving to her side. "And why is that?"

Elli turned to him, her hands covered in blood. "I have disowned her, yet she still came to see me." she murmured. "What other has gone at such lengths?"

"My dear sweet, homicidally insane wife," Sheogorath sighed, placing his arms around her waist. He lifted her chin with one finger, meeting her eyes. "You are enough woman for the both of us. No need to fret over her actions. I know the thing to cheer you up."

Elli chuckled softly and purred when he nibbled her neck. "You always do, my Prince."

O

Anja appeared in Pelagius' Wing once more.

Serana was still there and anxiously rushed up to her. Though the human woman appeared to be unharmed, there was a pain in her eyes.

"Anja!" Serana exclaimed. "You just disappeared! What happened?"

Anja looked at her calmly. Though she was initially disappointed with her sister's decision, Elli was happy regardless of whether or not Sheogorath had enslaved her. It seemed she was not to be changed.

"My sister is happy with her husband," she said, quietly. "It is time I moved on and fulfilled my word to you. Let's continue on our trip to your castle."

Serana frowned and watched as Anja left the wing without another word. In fact, when Serana inquired about it as they departed the Blue Palace, Anja rudely rebuked the inquiry with a blatant insult. Such was the way she had been during their initial encounter, so Serana knew the topic that plagued her regarded her sister.

She led Anja to a small dock on the shore and there was a boat tied there. Once they climbed into it, she slowly began to row toward the fog-cloaked castle in the distance.

While Serana moved the boat, she watched Anja; the Nord was sitting there, arms crossed and features slanted downward, deep in thought. The vampire tilted her head and let out a sigh. It would be a long, quiet trip to Castle Volkihar if Anja decided to keep silent the entire time.

When they arrived at the shore, Anja stared up at the towering, almost ominous castle before her. The sounds of birds drew her attention skyward where two large black birds circled overhead. She squinted and could barely make out the skeletal details of...

"Bone Hawks." Serana sought to explain. "Not exactly your average bird."

Anja made a thoughtful sound.

They made their way up the long path before Serana stopped Anja.

"Wait, before we go inside, I need to tell you something." she said.

Anja sighed and turned, frowning impatiently. "What is it now?"

Serana didn't note Anja's rudeness. "I know the group you're working for would slaughter everyone inside without a moment's hesitation," she said, "I am hoping you show the same control."

"It's not me I'm worried about."

Serana made a face at that as they approached the main gates. An elderly Nord was sitting behind them and scowled at the sight of Anja.

"Leave now," he ordered, "Or - Lady Serana?"

The Nord's aged eyes lit up with shock and delight. He rose and moved to a lever, opening the gates for them. He didn't even seem to be particularly annoyed by Anja's presence anymore.

"Lord Harkon's a great man... Best show him the proper respect." he warned.

Serana gave him a small smile before she took Anja's arm. Her long fingers dug into her skin in a gesture of warning and she leaned forward.

"For your sake and mine, keep your comments to yourself," she whispered, "Let me do the talking."

O

The castle was filled with them.

Anja looked around as the entered, meeting the suspicious gazes of the vampires within. Vingalmo approached them, snapping her from her reverie.

"How dare you trespass here!" he hissed, showing his fangs. When he saw Serana, his eyes widened. "Wait... Serana? Is that truly you? I cannot believe my eyes!"

Serana nodded. "Yes, it's me. Where is my father?"

"Oh! He's waiting!" Vingalmo said, "Come!"

He led the two women into the main chamber where Harkon was speaking to another vampire. When he noticed Serana, a broad smile lit his face. Anja didn't particularly enjoy that smile. It reminded her too much of the Daedric Lord Molag Bal's statue in Markarth.

"My lord! Everyone! Serana has returned!" Vingalmo announced.

Harkon extended his arms, but Anja noticed that Serana didn't go to them. She frowned at that. Something about the way Serana stood there was cautious, as if she were a deer being offered a meal from a saber cat.

"My long-lost daughter returns at last. I trust you have my Elder Scroll?"

Serana frowned. "After all these years, that's the first thing you ask me?" she said, in a biting tone. "Yes, I have the scroll."

Harkon held out two hands with a rather curt smile. "Of course I'm delighted to see you, my daughter. Must I really say the words aloud?"

Serana simply bristled where she stood. Anja looked at her curiously and then back to her father. Something was indeed off about the two. For one, Serana didn't speak in that quip in her father's presence the way she had done to her when they had first met.

"Ah, if only your traitor mother were here, I would let her watch this reunion before putting her head on a spike." Harkon sighed, clearly putting that image in his head and savoring it.

When his eyes landed on Anja, she tensed and felt her fingers itching to reach for her sword.

"Now tell me, who is this stranger you have brought into our hall?" he asked.

Serana stood closer to Anja for some reason that the other woman could not fathom. "This is my savior, the one who freed me."

Harkon smiled at Anja and inclined his head. His red eyes glittered in a peculiar manner. "For my daughter's safe return, you have my gratitude." he told her. "Tell me, what is your name? "

Anja frowned. "You first."

Harkon didn't react to that save for a small smirk. "Very well." he said. "I am Harkon, lord of this court. By now, my daughter will have told you what we are."

"You may as well be a reclusive cannibal cult," Anja snapped.

Harkon chuckled and a few vampires in the room shared his amusement. "Not quite, though I can see how an outsider might arrive at that conclusion." he said, "No, we are vampires, among the oldest and most powerful in Skyrim. For centuries we lived here, far from the cares of the world. All that ended when my wife betrayed me and stole away that which I valued most."

Anja didn't know who his wife was, but perhaps it was best she didn't ask.

"This is all fine and well, but you have your daughter back," she said, "I should be off now."

Harkon smiled now and there was a new change to his gaze. "You have done me a great service, and now you must be rewarded. There is but one gift I can give that is equal in value to the Elder Scroll and my daughter."

Anja knew where this was going. "You're joking."

"I am not." Harkon told her. "I offer you my blood. Take it, and you will walk as a lion among sheep. Men will tremble at your approach, and you will never fear death again."

"Not a good idea, Princess."

Sanguine's voice filled her head.

Don't you think I know that?

"And if I refuse it?" Anja noticed Serana's wary look.

Harkon's eyes narrowed, somewhat insulted. "Then you will be prey, like all mortals. I will spare your life this once, but you will be banished from this hall. Perhaps you still need convincing? Behold the power!"

Anja watched in disbelief as Harkon bowed forward. A near animal sound emerged from his lips and his flesh strained to the point that she could see veins throbbing in his neck. His jaw split and cracked, his arms and fingers elongated and wings burst from his back.

He towered over her now; a gray, vampiric monstrosity donning robes and a golden crown. His mouth was filled with razor teeth displayed in a horrifying grin.

"This is the power that I offer!" he bellowed, his voice unchanged. "Now, make your choice!"

Anja scowled at him. There was no way in Sovngarde she would EVER take such an offer. So she stood straight, looked up at the being with a cold stare.

"No."

Harkon snarled at her and lunged, knocking Anja off of her feet and flat onto her back. Serana watched the sight with horror.

Anja glared up fearlessly at the slavering creature pinning her.

"You do what you have to do, Harkon." she said, with a dark undercurrent to her voice. "And I will do what I have to do."

Harkon's eyes narrowed and he felt the slight pressure of a weapon poised at his chest. He looked down and noticed that Anja had positioned her sword directly at the place where his dead heart was. One swift motion and he would be dead.

Perhaps.

Harkon looked down at her before grinning. He chuckled and stood up.

"Perhaps I could find use for you after all." he said.

Serana frowned at Anja, watching the woman rise.

What was she doing?

O

"Are you crazy?"

Serana had dragged Anja to the balcony outside to speak with her. Anja noticed that it ended in nothing more than piles of rubble.

The air on the balcony was biting, but Anja hardly noticed.

"These vampires are up to something," she told Serana. "I will find out what that is. Maybe I'll also see what your mother did to merit such a reaction from Harkon."

Serana's features fell and she looked away. "That's...not something we like to talk about."

Anja scoffed and threw her arms in the air. "Oh, I see." she snapped. "When I don't want to talk, you pester me until I do. But when you don't-"

Serana looked at her sharply. "It's not the same."

"HOW IS IT NOT THE SAME?!"

Anja didn't care that she shouted it. She was furious that this vampire would assume that her pain was not the same or any more valid than her own.

Serana glared at her for the longest time before letting out a sigh.

"Trust me...you just don't want to know that side of my family..." she said, quietly. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime, but for now, we have other concerns."

Anja wanted to retort to it, but she knew that Serana was right. At the moment, they had to understand what was going on with the vampires and what they were planning. After all, why did it matter to her what had gone on with Serana and her family?

"Come on, Princess. Not even I'M that cold. And that's saying something."

Anja wanted to roll her eyes at Sanguine's words.

Garan Merethi stepped out onto the balcony, taking a small bow to Serana.

"Lady Serana, forgive my interruption," he said, "But Lord Harkon has requested the presence of the human." His eyes fell on Anja and he smiled a little.

Anja bristled where she stood. "What does he want?"

"That is for our Lord to decide."

She let out an impatient sound and followed him into the castle. Serana wasn't far behind. Garan led them to Harkon's chambers, where the older vampire was resting in front of a roaring fire.

"My Lord." Garan addressed him before departing himself.

Harkon looked back at Anja and gestured for her to take a seat beside him. She did so, but with much reluctance. Harkon turned his head partially to her.

"When I told you that I was grateful for my daughter's safe return, I told the truth," he told her, "But I did not tell you everything."

"I suspected as much."

Harkon smiled a little. "Good. Strong instincts and a cunning mind will serve you as well as blade, spell or claw." he replied, taking no mind to the quip or tone.

"As you know, vampires are powerful, but we have limits," he continued, gazing into the blazing fire, "Our great enemy is the sun, and until recently it's an enemy we've had no way to fight. For centuries I searched for an answer to this problem. I found an old prophecy written by a Moth Priest, those scholars who read the Elder Scrolls."

Though Anja did not agree, she found the mention of such a prophecy interesting.

"The prophecy tells of a time in which vampires will gain power over the sun, and will no longer fear its tyranny. I believe the secret to unraveling that prophecy is written in Serana's Elder Scroll. I have ordered the court to assemble. I have a new task for us all to carry out, and that includes you. Come now, and hear my proclamation."

"And why would I obey?"

Harkon stood up and she did the same, almost knowing that a fight would come out of this. Instead, Harkon showed no signs of such and smiled.

"You side with the Dawnguard out of anger," he told her, "But it isn't your choice, is it? They will eventually lose their loyalty. Humans always do."

Anja snorted. "How will vampires gain power over the sun?"

"I don't know yet. The Moth Priest died before finishing the transcription, but he did name the Elder Scrolls that contained the prophecy. The scroll you found with Serana is one of those scrolls of prophecy. Now that it is back within my grasp, we can read the scroll and learn more."

Anja frowned and followed him as he made his way to the balcony overlooking the main hall. He raised his arms and the others turned to listen.

"Scions of the night! Hear my words! The prophesied time is at last upon us!" he declared. "Soon we will claim dominion over the sun itself, and forge a new realm of eternal darkness. Now that I have reclaimed one of my Elder Scrolls, we must find a Moth Priest to read it!"

I have spread false rumors about the discovery of an Elder Scroll in Skyrim to lure a Moth Priest here. Now it is time to see if those efforts have borne fruit. Go forth, and search the land for rumors of a Moth Priest within our borders. Look to the cities. Speak to innkeepers, carriage drivers, anyone who would meet a traveler. Go now, and carry out this task. This is my command!"

Anja looked over to Serana with concern and the other woman returned the gaze.

"See how this plays out first, Princess. Then, make your move."

Anja nodded to herself.

That was exactly what she was going to do.