So first, I need to acknowledge uesp dot net and elderscrolls dot wikia dot net for making my prophecy and wall research so much easier. Without those sites, I'd have to do all my research in game, which is tedious to say the least.

Yeah…so guess what came in the mail today. A little thing called the four disc set of the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim game soundtrack. Yup. It's like liquid inspiration. Well…if it were liquid, that is. What an incredible thing this is. I've never felt more moved by a soundtrack, let alone a game soundtrack in my life. One scene I've written in particular was quite emotionally overwhelming as I listened to a track entitled 'Standing Stones' – almost appropriate as Marieka stood reflecting upon Alduin's Wall. Phew…

Anyhow, I truly hope this is the sign of things to come for me, because if so, my inspiration is back and nothing will be forced again for quite some time. This story is deeply personal to me now…some events have occurred to reaffirm my adoration for what I have written to this point and for what is to come. I almost stopped writing this. I almost did.

But I'm not going to let anything or anyone stop me from bringing this story to its completion.

Thank you all for your support – and to those of you who can't offer that, I understand. I can only say to you that I'm writing from the heart…whether you can believe that or not is up to you.

Thanks for sticking with me…

Esbern II

I would rather take your punch
Than not give you a shot
I'd rather find out who you are
Than who you're not

"Fight Outta You", Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, (Harper, Nelson, Charles, Mobley, Yates, Ward)

In theory, this plan should work perfectly.

But then, Esbern was hard-pressed to say that anything ever worked out where he was concerned. Still, he and Delphine had no real choice but to accept the fact that with the help of a Dragonborn…with the help of Marieka…that they would be able to enter the Sky Haven Temple. And with any luck, there would be information within – vital information that would hold the key to defeating Alduin.

Since his arrival in Riverwood, Esbern focused his efforts on research. Delphine had collected a number of important tomes and texts from which to draw the necessary information, but had never seen to it to truly study them herself. He considered that was probably for the best anyway – he was, after all, the primary historical specialist for the Blades. This was not surprising considering how the order was all but annihilated by the Thalmor so many years prior. With so few of them left – and in fact, only he and Delphine to truly speak of – there was no question that he was the authority on all things history.

Therefore, Delphine's collection of historical records became instantly useful to the man. He spent days poring over her copy of Annals of the Dragonguard alone and everything in the tome pointed towards the answers being found at the temple. There they would find Alduin's Wall, of which Esbern could only assume was literally a wall carved by the Akaviri Dragonguard somewhere within the temple's confines. Further research gave him clues as to where to find the temple, and the fact that the Dovahkiin would be required in order to access the inner sanctum of the place. A blood seal had been created to prevent just anyone from entering the temple – after all, the purpose was to assist future generations in their coming battles against Alduin and his brethren. The temple was only to be accessed by a future Dragonborn so that they could look upon the wall and learn the secrets of those who came before.

Esbern learned all of this as he and Delphine awaited Marieka's return to Riverwood.

And finally, she arrived.

"Do you think Nirn has the time to wait for you to dally, girl?" Esbern remarked the second she had made her presence known.

"Nice to see you too, Esbern," she muttered.

"Sassing me already, I see," he grumbled.

She sighed. "Look, I'm not back here to get involved in petty disputes with you. I'm back here because the dragon threat has increased. They are becoming bolder. They're not simply circling overhead anymore." She scratched her head, pulling her hair back in frustration. "They've started to attack settlements. And not just places like here…I'm talking about the walled cities. Windhelm…Riften…Whiterun. So I trust that I've given you enough time to do the research you needed to do."

"Bah!" he scoffed. "Too much time, if you're asking. I've run out of things to do."

"My apologies then Esbern. I didn't realize you were too busy doing nothing to help out with the dragon that attacked Riverwood this morning," she growled. "Or are you so used to your hermit lifestyle that you can't be bothered to look out a window?"

"A dragon attacked here?"

"You're kidding me, right?" she exclaimed. "You cannot tell me that you haven't heard of the dragon attack. Even if no one has told you about it, you can't say you didn't hear the bloody thing!"

"What's that, you say?" he snorted in derision. "My ears aren't so good these days."

"Crazy old man," she griped. "Bet you heard that, didn't you?"

He smirked at her, before turning to see Delphine entering the room.

"You know, it's quite difficult to conceal the fact that we have a hidden room down here with you two arguing like you are," the woman pointed out.

"Delphine," Esbern began, "advise your fellow Breton that I tire of her nonsense and no longer wish to speak to her."

Marieka rolled her eyes. "For such an old man, you certainly are childish."

Delphine groaned. "Just…stop it. Both of you. I have managed to secure a wagon to take us partway to Karthspire. Or perhaps I should take the wagon and the two of you can find your own way there." She shook her head and headed to a chest in the corner of the room. She crouched down to open it up and rifled through the contents. "Apparently there is also a camp of Forsworn located nearby as well. I suggest you prepare yourself for a fight," she advised, looking back over her shoulder.

The younger woman looked over at Esbern who was giving her a look she didn't appreciate. She expelled a harsh breath.

"I'll be ready within the hour," she said, spinning on her heel and leaving them alone.

When she had vacated the room, Delphine stood and turned to look at Esbern. "Why do you goad her so?"

He shrugged. "It amuses me. We can't have a self-important Dragonborn running around on us, can we? Someone's got to keep the girl in check."

"And if you push her too far, she might just leave us, you know?" Delphine countered.

He shook his head. "No chance. She knows the mission is too important. Besides, I'm trying to see if I can get her to turn a new shade of red one of these days."

She chuckled. "You're lucky you never tried that with me, old man."

"It's always 'old man' with you Bretons, isn't it?" he grumbled. "None of you can see past it for the gentle and kind person that I truly am."

She sighed. "Hopeless, Esbern. You're hopeless."

"Finally. We come to it at last," Esbern said.

"You always did have a penchant for the dramatic," Delphine replied, rolling her eyes.

"Think of it," he said. "This temple has been sealed for…well, who knows how long it's been locked up tight. We'll be the first to step into it and learn its secrets."

"Wow. That is a very large head. Uh…who…who is it supposed to be?"

Marieka pointed in the direction of the far wall at a face carved into it.

"I'd thought it rather obvious, girl," he replied. "It's Reman Cyrodiil II, the Emperor that the Akaviri sought out as the first Dragonborn."

"Oh, of course," she replied. "The resemblance is…uncanny."

He shot her an annoyed look, but continued to investigate the hall, lowering his torch to the ground.

They'd come very far through the Sky Haven Temple; through its winding hallways, the Breton's adept mind quickly discerning its way through the tricks and traps of this ancient place.

Marieka stood between the two of them, looking back and forth at their faces.

"So…uh…just what do we need to do to get in there?" she asked.

"Well, that would be where you come in, my dear," he said, pulling a dagger from his belt.

Marieka quickly put her hands up in protest and stepped back. "Hey now," she said quickly. "One, I didn't think we were at the 'my dear' stage in our relationship. And two, can we perhaps talk about this before—"

"Esbern, put the bloody dagger away," the older woman growled. "Marieka, you have nothing to fear from the old man. As I said before, he prefers to be histrionic."

"Yes," she replied. "That's plain as day to me now." She nervously rubbed her neck, not removing her eyes from the man.

He sheathed the weapon and looked at her. "Your blood is the key, Dovahkiin. In order for the way to be opened, you will need to shed a few drops."

"Well," she began, "I can certainly take care of that on my own…thank you." She reached to her own belt and pulled a small blade from it. Taking a deep breath, she put the tip of it to the palm of her hand.

"Wait!" Esbern cried out. The two women looked at him, his eyes wild.

"What is it?" Delphine asked, concerned about his outburst.

He responded without a word, grabbing both of Marieka's wrists in his hands. He pulled her roughly towards the centre of the great hall they stood in, placing her above a stone in the floor – different from any of the others. Lines had been carved throughout it, creating a ringed pattern of concentric circles.

"There," he said proudly. "Now you can do it."

She took a breath and once again placed the blade's edge to her palm. A little pressure…a little more…and the skin broke. She watched as the blood from under her skin pooled up into a ball, balancing delicately on her hand. Tipping her hand, it clung to her palm until finally, gravity overtook it and it dripped silently to the ground. She watched as the drop spattered on to the rock in front of her, holding her breath with the others. Esbern looked at her, then at Delphine.

"Why is nothing—"

He shushed Marieka mid-question and they all held their tongues for a moment longer – just enough time to see an eerie glow overtake the stone on the ground. The outer ring spun slowly, groaning and creaking after eons of remaining as a solid entity. The white glow grew and the inner ring was also set in motion. The ghostly light shone brighter and brighter until at last, it dissipated completely.

A quiet settled over the hall; nothing happening to signal that her blood had done anything more than cause a small distraction. But then, a great shaking began, stirring the earth; loosing dust and rocks from the walls and manifesting a tremendous noise. Suddenly, the source of the noise revealed itself, as the huge carved face of the long dead Emperor began to push back into the space behind it, revealing a new corridor.

"See?" Esbern said. "Simple."

Marieka sighed loudly, starting off in the direction of the passage. The Blades followed closely behind, yet neither suspected any further danger. After all, the traps to this point were meant to discourage those who were not the Dragonborn from proceeding. With this last gate passed only by one with the blood of a dovah, there would be no further need to prevent unwelcome visitors.

She began to climb the stairs towards the unknown. The stairwell that had been sealed for so long was dank and musty, yet surprisingly a strange amount of cool air blew down from above. Wherever these stairs would lead, there was at least some hope that they'd not all choke from a suppressing lack of air.

"By the gods," Marieka grumbled. "How many bloody steps are there?"

"Stop whining, girl," he said. "You know, you sure could stand to gain some better traits. Being less whiny…perhaps not complaining so much…oh, and you're starting to smell."

She stopped dead in her tracks and spun around, her pointed finger ready to poke the man's eyeballs out of his skull.

"Esbern, I swear to Oblivion if I didn't need you to find out what will help us stop Alduin, I would—"

"Enough!" Delphine called from behind him. "Just keep moving."

"Fine!" Marieka spun back around and continued up the stairs. "But I'm not starting to smell."

Esbern chuckled quietly to himself, continuing to enjoy her inability to ignore his jabs.

The top of the steps opened up to a doorway – one that led to a grand hall that was dimly lit.

"Finally!" Marieka cried out happily. When she reached the top, she took several steps into the hall, but then froze. "Would you look at that!"

Esbern and Delphine reached where she stood and were obviously awestruck just as much as she was. In front of them – across the hall – stood a tremendous wall that stretched almost the length of the hall itself. It was covered with intricate carvings, the most noticeable of which was a tremendous dragon near the end of it – and it was mirrored at the opposite end as well.

As the old Blade approached the far left side of wall, Marieka sought out the right, looking at the carved figure of the dragon. She eyed it and the small figure in front of him, defending himself from the blast of fire from the dragon's mouth.

"This…this is incredible," Esbern mused. "It's far beyond anything I could have ever thought comprehensible."

Delphine surveyed the carvings as well, quietly hanging back so as not to interfere with the man's study.

"What does…what does it all mean?" Marieka asked.

He looked down the wall towards her and his demeanor changed. He was quiet…reserved…humbled even. His eyes were wide and his face displayed a childlike innocence that the young Breton barely registered as his own.

"This is a gift," he said quietly. "Let me…let me look upon it for some moments, my dear girl. I shall provide you with answers soon."

She continued to stare at the dragon on the wall. Alduin…it had to be Alduin. Who else could it be…for this was his wall? She looked into cold stone eyes of the great beast, trying to read the emotionless head. Thinking perhaps if she could understand his motivations…perhaps she could prevent the war. That she could stop the destruction that she knew would be wrought upon Skyrim…Tamriel…and indeed Nirn were she to fail.

As she stood looking at the form of the dragon, her shoulders slumped, and her body began to shake softly. The tears that welled up in her eyes obscured her vision – gave the motionless carving movement. Its head shook as it stared back at her, daring her to come towards him. Willing her to throw herself to him in sacrifice. Demanding that she fight. She gritted her teeth at the silent challenge; her mind racing. Her thoughts swirling to all of those she knew in Skyrim…the friends she had made…the acquaintances…the shopkeeps and blacksmiths…the soldiers and guards and warriors. Mothers and fathers and sons and daughters.

And most of all…Brynjolf.

She would put her life on the line for all of them. She would be relentless. And if it meant her end of days, then so be it. She would not let those she loved down…no one would die for her failure.

She would not rest until Alduin was ended.

The two Breton women sat silently on a raised platform that ran the length of the great hall. Esbern had been staring at the carved wall for what seemed to be hours. He mumbled to himself; incoherent words and whispers echoing quietly throughout the vast expanse.

After an eternity, he finally turned around and looked at them.

"Marieka," he said, "I believe I know what needs to be done."

She stood up slowly; approached him with wide eyes. "Please. Tell me what I must know."

"Let me first tell you of history."

He put his arm around her, leading her back to the beginning of the wall. He extended his arm in the direction of the large carved dragon at the far left of the sculpted wall.

"You can see here the dragons ravaging the land. There is no hope for us against the devastation brought by the great beasts…brought by Alduin. This is he – I know you also saw him later in the wall. But it all begins here," Esbern said. "This is the first appearance of the World Eater. This is his first attempt to destroy Tamriel."

She nodded and he led her on further.

"Yet here is where the humans…where they triumphed over Alduin," he explained. "If there were more here, we could know what to do, but for now, it is only a signpost. A guide to further knowledge. And we will learn how to defeat him, Marieka. This I swear to you."

"Are you sure of that?" she asked, her voice wavering.

He hesitated, but nodded. He ushered her ahead along the wall.

"Several events occur here – they are all prophecies from the time of the Akaviri – the prophecy of the Dragonborn," he said.

"I've…never heard the prophecy," she admitted weakly, afraid of what he'd say for her lack of knowledge.

"Few have," he replied, shocking her greatly. "There are many pieces to it, and each piece is represented on this wall."

He pointed to a figure with a staff in hand. "See here? 'When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world' – represented by the Staff of Chaos. The staff that was split into eight pieces after Jagar Tharn imprisoned Emperor Uriel Septim VII in Oblivion." He saw confusion on her face. "Never mind. It's not important that you know much about it…only that the prophecy was made and came to pass."

She nodded and looked back at the wall.

"And here," – he pointed to an obviously Dwemer construct, a golum of some sort – "'when the Brass Tower walks and time is reshaped'. The Numidium. It was destroyed after it assisted in bringing the Aldmeri Dominion to its knees – but as the prophecy says, it was reshaped…it walked once more."

He pointed towards a large mountain-shaped carving. "This is Vvardenfell, an island in Morrowind. 'When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles' – this particular mountain erupted, spewing ash on to the surrounding lands forcing so many of the islands' inhabitants to flee. Another prediction come to pass."

He continued on, Marieka at his side.

"Here is an Oblivion gate. 'When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls.' This obviously refers to the end of the Septim line of leadership. The death of Uriel Septim VII, and the transformation of Martin into the Avatar of Akatosh, ending the Oblivion Crisis. Terrible time. And of course, the Empire stumbled in those days."

He pointed to another section of the wall – a conflict evident. "And here we come to the present time. The murder of the High King of Skyrim and the looming civil war. 'When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding…' This is when Alduin was prophesied to return to Tamriel…and so he has."

Marieka found herself staring back at the final carving once more…the image of Alduin in a standoff with the small figure holding the shield.

"This is Alduin, is it not?" she asked, despite already knowing the answer.

He nodded. "And this, my dear," he began, "is you. The Akaviri Dragonguard didn't quite get everything right. You're much smaller than this one." He put a hand on her shoulder. "And quite a bit more feminine as well."

She couldn't help but smile at the old man's joke.

"'The World-Eater wakes, and the wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn.'"

She swallowed hard. "There isn't much hope, Esbern," she said sadly. "I can see that now."

"There is always hope, Marieka," he replied. "It may be difficult to see, but it is always there. One need only know where to look."

"Then where do I look?" she asked.

"The key lies in the initial defeat of Alduin," he replied, returning to the second portion of the frieze where Alduin is shown falling from the skies. "The humans here…they seem to have used a shout to bring him down. It would seem to me that the only logical place to begin to look for that shout is to return to High Hrothgar."

"Ooooh no," Delphine interrupted. "The Greybeards, Esbern? Do we really need to involve them?"

"If this shout is the only way to bring down Alduin," Marieka began, "then I will do whatever it takes to learn of it. And I don't understand why you don't wish to include the Greybeards anyhow."

"Because they sit upon their great thrones…atop their mountain at the Throat of the World – ignorant and blind to the strife the dragons bring to the world below them," she growled. "They would rather ignore the conflict until the world crumbles around them. They care nothing of our problems, Marieka."

"They will help me," Marieka countered. "I know they will."

"As you say," the woman replied. "Go off to your monks. See what they say."

"Do what you can, Marieka," Esbern said. "You must learn that shout. There may be no other way to defeat Alduin, and we know no one else who can turn the tide."

"Thank you Esbern," she replied. "Will you both remain here?"

Delphine nodded. "Yes, we will. This place was meant for the Blades…and you of course. It will always be a home to the Dragonborn."

She smiled. "I will set off for High Hrothgar then…with no delays. I'll return to you as soon as I know more about this shout."

"Safe journeys, Dovahkiin," he said. And meant it. He was finished with pushing her…he saw the pain on her face as her faith in herself was tested once more. She needed people to believe in her, and the Blades would be there in that capacity.

Yet somehow, as if she needed to test that theory for herself, she turned back to him once more before leaving the hall and setting out on her journey.

"Esbern…I don't really smell, do I?"

He chuckled and shook his head, smiling widely at her.

"You smell fine, Marieka," he called out to her. "Besides…there are plenty of rivers along the way…just in case."

She narrowed her eyes at him before spinning around once more and heading off.

He promised himself it was the last joke he'd ever make at her expense. And it remained a promise kept.