Chapter 37: Sanctuary

Serana

Kill his brother? The request was the last thing Serana had expected to hear.

"The kinship between us is gone. I do not understand what he has become, but he is no longer the male I once called brother."

Though Serana had been surprised, it appeared Alessia hadn't. Her wolf lost the friendly air and straightened her spine. "I don't go about murdering people simply because one brother has fallen out of favor with another."

There was a note of anger in her voice. One that Gelebor picked up on. "It is not as simple as you say, Alessia. Something has happened to Vyrthur. I do not understand why Auri-El did not protect him. But that does not matter. I only ask that you do what I cannot. Bring an end my brother's suffering. End his pain."

"You believe Auri-El has turned his back on Vyrthur?" Alessia asked, no less angry.

Serana knew her wife did not hold to the belief that the Gods went out of their way to either protect or damn their worshipers. Once she had heard Alessia say, "The Gods help those who help themselves." She firmly believed that one could only rely on their own strength and resolve. Though she had faith, Alessia didn't rely on it alone for protection. To do so was dangerous and foolish.

Seeming to realize his guest would not be so easily convinced, Gelebor shook his head and frowned. "I do not ask for you to believe it so, or even to understand."

Alessia said nothing.

"If I must, I will ask it in payment for the life of your wife. By your own admission, you owe me."

"Words I am beginning to regret uttering."

Serana heard the growl in Alessia's voice. Felt it rumble low and dangerous. She had to defuse the situation, or there would be a brawl then and there. She placed a calm hand over Alessia's, immediately silencing the growing snarl. Focusing on Gelebor, Serana replied calmly, "We will keep in mind what you've said, Gelebor. Should we be attacked by Vyrthur, we will defend ourselves. However we can't commit outright murder on your word alone. I'm sorry, but my wife is right."

Silent for a while, Gelebor considered. It was enough time for Alessia to rein in her temper. When the elf finally gave a response, it was calmer. "I understand. It is reasonable."

"This is how it must be." Serana added.

In the long, heavy silence that followed, Gelebor stood and bowed slightly. "Now, I will take my leave. You have much to discuss. I will return at the day's end with your next meal. Until then, feel free to walk about the Chantry at your leisure. I only ask that you do not stray beyond the barrier. It will not be safe for still some time."

Alessia said nothing, glaring at the male as he left the small dwelling. Serana remained silent as well, deciding whether or not she much cared for the elf. Looking at her mate's figurative raised hackles, it was obvious how Alessia felt despite the kind and favorable things she had said about Gelebor earlier. It was difficult to deny the male's request, horrible though it was. If a sickness had befallen his brother, then Serana imagined it would be a kindness to put him down. She would expect no less should she ever lose control.

Apparently, Alessia had come to the same conclusion. After all, when turned into a newborn vampire, had she not asked Serana to take her life should the blood lust become too much? Her mate sighed and slouched in her seat. Dismayed she said, "Well, this expedition has gone horribly wrong, hasn't it?"

"It could be much worse." Serana pointed out.

Alessia flinched at the thought, looking Serana over worriedly. "How are you holding up? Do you need me to get something for you? Water? Tonic? More blood?"

Serana shook her head at most, though her body ached from sitting up too long. Perhaps she would lie down for a bit. "I think I would like a nap."

Without another word, Alessia scooped her up in her arms and carried Serana into the bedroom. Though she protested, it went absolutely ignored. Carefully, oh so carefully, Alessia put her to bed, covered her, then settled down bedside to watch over her. Her wife looked so… troubled. Alessia's brow was creased and her beautiful mouth was set in a deep frown. Suddenly, Serana realized allowing her mate to simply sit idol was probably not the best idea. She would want the time to think, yes, but at the moment it would be better described as brooding.

Alessia was a creature of motion, often happiest when given a task. No matter how small or simple. Serana thought back to the time when they had rescued Dexion. How agitated her wolf had been, through no fault of her own, that Serana had been captured. Wolf simply couldn't stand the fact their mate had been in danger. In the end Alessia went outside to chop wood. Effectively working out her frustrations with a task. Now was probably no different.

"Alessia, Love, do you think you could find me some warm water and soap? I know you said you cleaned me up when we first arrived, but I still feel a bit… grungy." It was the truth, mostly. Serana could still smell the stink of the Falmer, though she was probably just imagining it. Either way, the thought of a thorough cleaning was wonderful.

As expected, Alessia's frown vanished and the sense of purpose brought a smile. "How about a bath? I bet I can find something around here you can use. A barrel at the very least."

"I wouldn't turn down a good soak."

"Alright." Alessia planted a soft kiss on her brow. "Sleep if you can. I'll be back soon."

Then she was gone. Serana didn't think she'd have any trouble sleeping. Once she'd gone horizontal, it was everything she could do just to keep her eyes open. Though she would have very much preferred her wolf's warmth beside her, the warmth from the blanket and their mixed scent on it was enough.

When next Serana woke she found her wish had come true. Alessia was asleep beside her atop the blanket, but pressed firmly up against her. Their position effectively pinned Serana down under the covers. She didn't mind however, and took the opportunity to simply gaze at her sleeping wife's face. The worry in it was gone. The ghost of it still remained, but was temporarily forgotten in relaxed slumber. Only a moment later, Alessia's bright blue eyes popped open. Perhaps not sleeping after all.

Serana kissed her. At first, that had been all she'd wanted. Soft and sweet. Relieved to be alive. That they were both alive. But then something shifted and suddenly Serana found herself grasping Alessia's hair, pulling their mouths tightly together. She nipped at her wolf's lip, savoring the small bead of blood that exploded on her tongue. Seeming a bit surprised, Alessia flinched. Serana growled low and tugged her back, all the while kicking the offending covers from out between them. The hunger rose. She felt it. Tried to slow it down, but…

"Easy, Serana." Alessia muttered as Serana's attention wandered to her slim neck. The blood was close. So close. Aggressively, she rolled and pushed Alessia down into the mattress. The newly healed thigh complained a little, but Serana ignored it. Her wolf went willingly, knowing full well what was happening. Serana clenched her teeth, her fangs pricking her own lip painfully. She groaned, a desperate, agonized, keening sound. Alessia cooed, lifting her chin and fully exposing her throat. "Take what you need."

She bit. No hesitation. Alessia twitched only once, then relaxed. Serana fed hungrily, taking great pulls from the vein. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew to be careful. Taking too much at once would put Alessia's life in danger. After a few pulls, she checked herself, resisting the instinctual urge to drain the body beneath her dry. Said body moaned but, aside from her hands gently stroking Serana back, remained unmoving.

When at last Serana felt the hunger sated, she rose up onto her knees. Beneath her, Alessia's face was flushed bright red, her chest rose and fell heavily as she tried regaining her breath. Her wolf's heart pounded a quick melodic rhythm she could almost dance to. With a shameless grin, Serana licked her lips clean. Alessia watched, a low and hungry growl of her own rumbling her chest. Serana felt it since she was practically sitting on Alessia's chest. She chuckled gleefully.

"You're certainly feeling better." Alessia said, her voice slightly husky.

"Mmm-hmm." Serana purred, twirling the drawstring from Alessia shirt around her finger. She still wore the grin, deciding on the many different ways they could spend the next hour or so.

After a moment, Alessia offered. "I found a place you could clean up, if you want. It's a bathhouse just on the-"

Serana kissed her again, effectively silencing her. When she allowed Alessia up for air again, Serana purred softly. "Later."

Alessia didn't argue.

Gelebor

Gelebor was quite pleased with the earlier conversation. He hadn't exactly known how the two would react to his request, but that too had been to his satisfactory. One might determine, including still some part of himself, that the conversation had actually gone quite badly. On the contrary, it went exactly as he'd hoped. Had the two females accepted his words and request out of hand, or shown no emotion at all, it would have been worrisome. However, Alessia had most certainly disliked the request, not to mention the idea of it being payment for his aid, and Serana, though much calmer about her apprehension, had done the same. The two had been of one mind. And that gave him hope.

He had spoken true, there were duties to perform, but Gelebor allowed himself a few minutes of quiet contemplation at the temple. He sat at the top of the stairs and looked out over the empty Chantry. That was when he saw Alessia leave the dwelling and begin to explore. Though the Knight-Paladin said the two were free to explore the Chantry, he hadn't actually expected either of the two to do so for some time. Perhaps the vampire was in need of something and had sent her wife to fetch it. The thought made Gelebor smile. It was obvious that the two were quite close, just by the way they interacted together. Though at first he thought the couple odd, they were, in fact, well suited. A roaring soul of fire complemented by a calm soul of ice.

Alessia strolled down the path, stopping from time to time at various structures. What was she was looking for? He was tempted to decent the staircase and go ask, but didn't. No doubt the female wasn't quite ready to interact with Gelebor just yet. The wolf was a bit stressed, he could tell by the tightening of her shoulders as she walked. No need to push anytime soon.

Instead, the Knight watched. Alessia found the store room, went inside for a few minutes, then came out again. She'd taken nothing, probably just wanting to take note of where the building was. Next she continued on up the path, turned a corner and was out of sight. Down that walkway was the Chantry baths. The bathhouse wasn't nearly as grand as it once had been, but Gelebor took great pains to insure it still functioned. The pipes were of Dwemer design, but constructed of different materials.

It was some time before Alessia returned. Apparently she'd found whatever it was she'd been looking for and was returning to the dwelling. A bath then? Gelebor chuckled to himself. Of course the two would want such a thing. It had been a very long time since he'd been around the fairer sex, but he did remember most preferred to bathe often. Still chuckling, the elf turned back to the statue of Auri-El.

Alessia

Alessia floated atop the warm, slightly scented water. The open aired bathhouse boasted at least a dozen different sized underground tubs, each separated by walls or hanging sheer curtains. The lip of each tub was even to the floor, carved directly into the stone floor. Wolf didn't care much for water, but the tub she and Serana had selected was barely deep enough to cause a fuss. Standing the water came to just above her breasts and sloped upwards towards the stairs, at where it barely came to her navel. The pool was also large enough to be considered a small pond. So much so Alessia could fully stretch out her tall frame with still plenty of room for perhaps another seven or eight people to do the same and still not be touching.

"Love, could you give me hand for a moment?" Serana called from not five feet away near the edge of the tub.

The voice was a bit muffled, Alessia's ears were below the water's surface, but she heard well enough to know Serana needed help. Her wife was standing at the staircase leading up and out of the pool. The washcloth and soap they'd found in a small supply room was sitting poolside, used and still damp. Serana was clean, her body glistening from the water running in small rivulets down her neck, her breasts, her back… Alessia lifted her eyes and tried to focus on her mate's face. Serana grinned over her shoulder, knowing exactly where Alessia's eyes had lingered.

Swimming into the shallows and then wading through the waist deep water, Alessia came over. Serana was trying, and failing, to braid her hair back before joining her for a swim. Her hair was just barely long enough to braid, but it wasn't impossible. The issue was that Serana's raised arms probably hurt her newly healed ribs. Soreness still lingered, but the warm water would hopefully soothe the dull ache. The rest and ample amounts of blood were doing their part to heal, but Serana's body was tired. As was Alessia's.

Nimble fingers made quick work of Serana's hair, short as the braid was, and the two made their way back into the slightly deeper water. Floating on the surface of the water was a skill some people simply couldn't master. It required a controlled type of breathing that kept one's lungs filled with enough air required to float, and still breathe. A trick Alessia had learned at a young age, but one Serana had obviously not.

Alessia chuckled as her mate tried to mimic the way she breathed, but kept sinking. "Come here."

It was a bit more difficult to keep them both afloat, but Alessia managed. They remained that way for a time, both staring up at the stony ceiling of the cavern high above in the darkness. The light from the Chantry didn't quite reach the stones above, but the rock shadows cast odd shapes here and there. It brought to mind Blackreach, who's far higher ceiling was filled with the bioluminescent light of fungi and moss and the glittering ore veins gave the illusion of a starry night sky. Outside the sound of the water and their own involuntary bodily functions, heartbeat and breathing and the like, the place was absolutely quiet. A bit disconcerting, Alessia found.

The Falmer in Blackreach were no where near as numerous. Alessia had been easily able to find ways around their patrols and get to where she needed to go. Here… there were so many of the creatures. And, if Gelebor was to be believed, there were even more further in. She was suddenly very aware of the body beside her, Serana limp and unmoving at her side. Though her wife's sluggish heartbeat said she was alive and well, it shoved Alessia's mind back to those horrible moments to where it wasn't so. Where she carried the same limp and unmoving body in her arms, and there was no heartbeat. No signs of life at all. The memory made Alessia's heart throb painfully, and she pulled Serana a little closer.

There was regret in Alessia's heart. Regret that she had ever brought her beloved down into this nightmarish place. She should have come alone. Or not at all. The bow would have been safe here. Even though the Volkihar vampires might have found out about this place eventually, they would not have gotten to the bow. The Falmer would have taken care of them. And if not the Falmer, the barrier protecting the Chantry wouldn't have let them through. That accursed prophecy… That accursed bow… Before now Alessia had wanted to destroy it simply because it would put a hitch in Harkon's plans. Now? Now she wanted to obliterate the damned thing for all the pain it had caused them. What it had almost cost them both.

"What are you thinking of?" Serana suddenly asked, startling Alessia out of her own mind. "Your heart started racing. What's wrong?"

"I-" Alessia paused, taking a long breath before resuming the rhythm of breathing. "It's nothing. Just some dark thoughts. I don't want to trouble you with them."

"I'll be troubled even if you don't tell me. I just won't know why." Serana's hand found Alessia's, squeezing gently. "Talk to me, Love. Let me help."

Alessia pursed her lips, thinking how best to convey her thoughts. "I'm thinking it was a mistake to come down here. Now that we know what protects Auriel's Bow, I doubt it would be any safer in our hands than behind a literal army of Falmer as well as this Chantry."

"Do you think we should try going back?" Serana asked.

"I don't know if we can. There's no way of knowing if there even is a way back up and out again. It might take us years to find a way, even without a bunch of angry Falmer hunting for us." If her hands were not occupied, one holding on to Serana and Serana holding the other, Alessia would most certainly be tugging at her own hair in frustration. "I shouldn't have brought you down here. I know better than to mess with the Falmer. How could I have been so damned foolish?"

"Don't do that." Serana said as she rolled and stood to face Alessia. "Don't put all of this on yourself. We decided to go after the bow, remember?"

Alessia kept her eyes from her mate, saying nothing. Shame, as well was regret, simply wouldn't allow her to meet Serana's piercing gaze. Serana tisked and pulled Alessia to her feet. When she still wouldn't lift her eyes, Serana grabbed her chin and forced Alessia to look at her. It was gentle but instant.

"You have such a big heart. You feel for everyone and everything. Everywhere you go you leave it having made the lives there better. You give all of yourself into everything you do, even if it hurts. And if you can't help someone, or mess up, you tear yourself up over it and won't let anyone else take the blame. You can act big and tough for everyone else, but not me. Never with me, Love." Serana smiled. A sad, yet loving smile. "It's one of the things I love most about you. It's one of your strongest traits, but it's also one of your biggest flaws."

Alessia returned the sad smile, resting her forehead against Serana's.

"None of this is your fault, Alessia." Serana said after a long moment. "This all started when I came to you for help. If not for you, I'd probably be dead by now. Or worse."

At that thought Alessia growled, tugging Serana bodily to her with a strong jerk of her arms. Wolf stirred deep within, awakening at the mere thought of someone threatening their mate. The Falmer, the Dawnguard, the Volkihar vampires… that bastard father of Serana's, Harkon. Alessia didn't care who it was, she would tear them limb from limb. Taint her own soul in order to protect her mate. Wolf growled her agreement.

Serana chuckled, sliding her arms around Alessia's neck. "See? Protective to a fault. It's who you are. And I wouldn't change that for anything in the world."

"It still doesn't change the fact that we are in one hell of a mess down here." Alessia growled, then admitted to both Serana and herself. "One that I don't know how to get us out of. I don't know what to do. What path we should take. And that scares me."

Serana kissed her, a slow and soft kiss that promised more. "And that's alright, Alessia. You don't always have to have all the answers. We will figure it out together. You and me. Alright?"

Alessia nodded, unable to speak again for fear of her own voice shaking. Serana kissed her again, wrapping her legs around Alessia's hips. The water made the added weight negligible, but still Alessia's arms pulled her mate tightly to her. The contact felt good, better than the time a short while ago just after Serana fed. It quickly sapped away all her fears and anxiety, burning them away if only for a short while. Some part of her worried that maybe Gelebor was nearby, and would hear them. Alessia knew the elf watched them at a distance from time to time. The bathhouse wasn't exactly private considering. Even so, she didn't believe the male would spy in on them. He seemed too polite, or prude, for that. But another part of her hardly cared.

Alessia grinned when Serana let her up for air. Curious at the look, Serana asked in a slight giggle. "What?"

"Nothing." Alessia answered as she carried Serana over to the edge of the water and sat her on the smooth, stone lip. She fell on her mate, eliciting small gasps and moans here and there. Though they grew in pitch as Alessia made her way downward, Serana appeared to be trying to stifle them. If the elf was, in fact, not as gentlemanly as Alessia thought him to be, she fully intended on giving him one hell of a show. A test, of sorts. Later on, if he blushed or stammered when next they spoke, she would know… and promptly pummel the Knight.

A while later, the two clean and feeling a bit lighter of heart and spirit, they made their slow way back to their borrowed little home. Alessia stopped at a closed door, halting Serana with her. It was a storage room she had found earlier in her wandering. Inside, she pointed out a few alchemical odds and ends to Serana. It was remarkable to them both that, despite four thousand plus years, the entire place lacked any sort of visible decay or disrepair. The Chantry looked as it if had been built no more than a year ago. No dust. No cobwebs. Not a speck of dirt. No sign at all of its considerable age.

"Perhaps the barrier somehow not only protects the Chantry of outer threats, but also from the ravaging of time." Serana said, looking about the beakers and mortars, as well as the stacks of clothes, blankets, barrels, dishes, and other household items and furniture.

Alessia picked up a few pairs of clothing, one that looked as though they would fit the two females better than the ones Gelebor had selected. "Is that even possible?"

Serana shrugged. "If so, it's beyond anything I've ever seen before. I mean, Mother did something similar in her own laboratory, but this… this is on a much larger, grander scale. The power needed for such a spell would be astronomical."

"Say, Godlike maybe? From Auriel himself perhaps?" Alessia asked.

"It would stand to reason. It is 'the Chantry of Auri-El' after all."

Following her nose, Alessia opened a large trunk that smelt strongly of- She sneezed violently after the lid was opened. Serana was at her side in an instant, worried and also curious. The trunk was full of neatly labeled pouches and packaged alchemical ingredients. Alessia sneezed again. "Ugh… damned nose."

Serana cautiously opened a jar labeled "IMP STOOL" in bold, capital script, and peeked inside. The second jar she opened was labeled "BLISTERWORT". Serana sniffed at the substance, eyes widening at what she discovered. She said in an amazed tone, "These are extremely well preserved. It's almost as if these ingredients were gathered just yesterday."

"Look here." Alessia said, pointing to the inside of the lid. "Something is carved here."

Forgetting the jars, Serana examined the carved symbols Alessia pointed out. "Hmm… I've not seen spellwork like that since before I went to sleep. These are old. Very old."

"What are they? Some sort of… preservation spell?"

Serana nodded. "A stasis spell. A powerful one. I think you were right when you said the power came straight from Auriel himself. No mortal I've ever heard of could pull something like this off."

"Or…" Alessia offered. "No mortal that hasn't been alive and awake for four thousand years with nothing to do but practice their magic could?"

"Someone like Gelebor." Serana dug through the remainder of the trunk. "It's possible I can restock our medicinal potions with everything in this crate. Everything except the Blood Potions, that is. I'm afraid we'll have to continue on without it."

Alessia saw the worry in her wife's eyes. "Don't worry, Love. You're nearly fully healed, and after that you won't need to take quite so much from me."

"You were hurt too, you know. I shouldn't be feeding from you at all." Serana muttered.

"I heal much faster than you do, remember?" Serana stopped rummaging through the trunk and looked at her. There was worry, of course, but something else too. Fear, if Alessia could guess at anything. Fear of doing something irreversible. Like… turning her again. Death, quite possibly. "I can handle it, Serana."

"And if you can't? What then?" A bit of anger came out of Serana then. She checked it quickly, biting down on her own words and trying again. "You are not invincible, Alessia."

"Trust me, I am painfully aware of that." Alessia sighed heavily.

Of course Serana was right. At any other time Alessia could both feed her mate and keep her own strength up well enough to fight. But here in this damned place, they had no easy resources. No means of calling for aid. No possible alternatives. Alessia could probably keep Serana fed and fight, but only for so long. The potions would help, but… There was no way of knowing how much further they would have to go. No way of even making a good guess. Serana had remained silent, letting Alessia have time to think things through. She didn't much like it, but they would need to figure something else out for the foreseeable future.

"Alright. We will try and think of some other way. But until we continue onward, I think you should keep taking from me. And before you outright say no…" Alessia said when Serana looked as though she were about to refuse. "I want to make sure you are back in prime condition before he head back out there. If Gelebor is telling the truth, and I suspect he is, you will have nothing else to feed on besides me or the Falmer until our business is done here."

At the mere mention of feeding from the horrible creatures, Serana practically turned green. "That's a pleasant thought."

Alessia paused, knowing Serana wouldn't like what she said next. Still, it needed to be said. Wolf would have it no other way, even if Alessia didn't agree. "I want you to promise me, if we can't find something else, that you won't starve yourself. Not when I can give you what you need."

There was that barely controlled anger again. "At what cost? Weakening you is-"

"Far better than the blood lust taking over at some inconvenient moment. Say right when we're sneaking by a horde of Falmer, for instance. At least this way I know what I'm getting into." Alessia pointed to the trunk. "And if we can restock our potions, I can just drink those to keep my strength up."

Serana hissed. "These components are well preserved, but there are only a handful here. What I can make will pale in comparison to the one's we came down here with. I had a variety of ingredients at my disposal then. Now… not so much. And besides, taking the amount required to keep yourself going is not healthy. The side effects alone could do permanent damage."

"It's a risk I'm willing to take, Serana."

"I'm not!"

Wolf stirred. Alessia wasn't angry, but she was certainly going to put her foot down. Through gritted teeth she said, "I'm not going to let you starve. Not happening."

"Stubborn." Serana hissed under her breath as she tried to calm down.

Alessia did the same, going so far as to stand and pace about the room. Wolf was agitated. She knew she was being overprotective and overbearing, but she couldn't help it. The very thought of allowing Serana to suffer made Alessia want to break something. A lot of things. Tear whatever was threatening her mate up into tiny, unrecognizable, little pieces. The pain should be Alessia's. She'd shoulder whatever burden necessary just so Serana wouldn't have to.

Then, Alessia realized just how true Serana's words had been back at the bathhouse. So often she took on the pain and suffering of others just so they didn't hurt anymore. It was a habit, but one she never imagined as a bad one. Or as a character "flaw", as Serana had put it not much more than an hour ago. Perhaps Alessia did put herself in harm's way far too often, but… that's just who she was. Changing it wasn't something she thought possible or even desirable. No more than willing herself to stop breathing, or her heart to stop beating.

Before Alessia could think of anything to say, Serana took in a single breath of air, then let it out slowly. "You're not going to let up, are you?"

Alessia shook her head once, but smiled. "It's my 'strongest trait' and 'biggest flaw', remember?"

"One I wouldn't change for the world, yes. Annoying as it is at times." Serana chuckled, looked down at the trunk for a moment, then sighed. "I will make as much healing potion as I can, and we will alternate feedings. One Falmer, or whatever else we can find, then you. Will that suffice?"

"If we can manage to catch one of the little bastards without alerting the hive…" Though she didn't much like the idea, neither did Wolf, Alessia figured it was as good as she was going to get. "Fine. That will do."

With a nod and a quick peck on the cheek, Serana gathered up all the necessary equipment she'd need for the potions. Alessia helped as best she could, but wound up more as a pack horse than anything else. She didn't mind. Best that Serana select the mortars and whatnot. When they were done, they carried everything back to their little house. It only occurred to Alessia after the fact that the should have probably asked for Gelebor's permission before taking anything. Too late now. Besides, if he hadn't used the alchemical ingredients in the four thousand years he'd been in the Chantry, it wasn't likely he needed them at all.

When they arrived at the dwelling, Alessia noticed that someone had been there while they were away. The elf's scent was present. Glancing around the small living space she noticed two things. The first was that, true to his word, Gelebor had brought them their evening meal. A small pot sat by the fire, keeping warm and smelling like some soup or stew. The second was a short note sitting on the table, held down by a bow and quiver full of arrows.

The two said nothing, just glanced at each other. While Alessia sat down her burden of equipment, Serana plucked up the note and bow. The bow she handed to Alessia, then glanced over the note. "No surprise. It's from Gelebor."

"What's it say?" Alessia asked, looking over the bow. At a quick glance she noticed the Falmer bow she'd taken from the sentry was gone. Good riddance. That thing was horrible, both in aim and in looks.

Serana smiled then read aloud.

Alessia,

I thought you might prefer a more suitable bow as opposed to that horrid thing taken from the Betrayed. It is not as grand a weapon as the one you seek, but I believe it will serve you well in the trials to come. I am sorry to have missed you ladies, but no doubt you are both eager to explore the Chantry and all it's wonders. I am pleased to see it so. As I have said before, you are free to go wherever you like, but I must also remind you not to go beyond the barrier. I have scouted a bit past it's protection and have found the Betrayed still in an uproar.

I also invite you to gather whatever supplies you need for the remainder of your journey. I have far more than enough to spare past my own meager needs. Take what you wish. The Chantry is at your disposal. Should you have need of my services, please do not hesitate to call upon me. I would be delighted to aid you in whatever way I am able. Please, enjoy the meal I have prepared for you. Do not be discouraged by the color. It consists of a variety of ingredients to aid in the production of blood. I imagine such a thing will be of great use to you both. It is my greatest honor and pleasure to serve.

Knight-Paladin Gelebor

Alessia chuckled. "I'm starting to think he's trying to bribe us."

"To kill his brother, you mean?" Alessia nodded in response while Serana looked inside the cooking pot. "He made you some sort of stew. It's gray."

Curious, Alessia ignored the bow and peeked into the pot herself. It was, in fact, a greenish gray. The scent of it tickled her nose, sparking an unpleasant memory she quickly suppressed. Whatever it was, it was an alchemical concoction of some sort. Hesitantly, Serana sniffed at the stew, then tasted it.

"Well?" Alessia asked.

With an impish grin, Serana ladled a large portion into a wooden bowl and handed it to Alessia. "I don't think you want to know. However, Gelebor spoke the truth and I suggest you eat every bite."

Alessia stared down at the green liquid as if it were about to come alive and attack. Her eyes flicked up to the grin still on her mate's face, then frowned.

The grin widened. Serana purred softly, pressing herself against Alessia and gently, oh so damned gently, nipping at the new bite marks on her neck. It sent pleasurable little tremors down her spine. Her mate chuckled again, then purred. "Eat every bite, and I promise not one more word of protest from me about feeding from you."

Damn, Alessia thought as she glanced down at the bowl in her hand.

Serana

Fish. The stew Gelebor had so kindly prepared had been a sort of alchemical fish and clam stew. Truly, it would most certainly help Alessia fortify both her healing as well as provide an energy boost. Most of the ingredients used were high in iron, making the production of blood a nice little side effect. Odd that the elf not only had a fair amount of livestock down here, but also a fishery of some sorts. Quite resourceful their new friend was.

Serana watched the first bite with a sort of gleeful black humor, remembering her mate's aversion to anything at all fishy. It was apparent when Alessia finally recognized the smell, so well masked by so many other herbs and spices. Her poor mate turned about as green as the stew itself. But, the promise Serana made kept Alessia sitting in the chair and eating. The first bowl was gone in mere moments, and the second followed just as quickly. After the third, and final, morsel was eaten, Alessia downed an entire pitcher of water then chewed on a small bit of hard bread from their earlier meal. No doubt trying to get rid of the fishy aftertaste.

Trying to keep her mirth hidden, Serana placed a loving kiss on her mate's brow then began the setup of her new laboratory. While she did that, Alessia examined her new bow. It wasn't very much unlike the Nightingale. The wood was dark, yes, but held more of a reddish hue than a violet. The carvings were obviously elvish, and matched the quiver nicely.

"So, did it work?" Serana asked. At Alessia's questioning gaze, she clarified. "The 'bribe'. Did it work?"

Her wolf huffed. "Hardly. The bow is nice, and no doubt he was trying to win your favor with the… ugh… stew, but it's not going to be that easy."

"In the Brotherhood, was a weapon like that ever given to you as payment?" Serana thought back, then added. "I think I remember you saying as much."

"As a bonus, yes. Astrid often gave me an incentive to pull off a job in a certain way." Alessia apparently didn't much like the mention of said jobs, but continued. "Still, I'm not in the Brotherhood anymore. I appreciate the replacement of the Nightingale, but I won't accept it if he considers it payment for his brother's life."

Serana thought back to the moment Gelebor said, "If I must I will ask it in payment for the life of your wife." It had certainly raised Alessia's hackles, but she hadn't been focusing on her mate. Serana had been watching the Knight. It had grated on the male. He'd no more liked uttering the vial statement as Alessia had liked hearing it. But say it he had. At that moment, Serana imagined that the male truly believed his brother lost.

"I imagine we'll run into Vyrthur one way or another and see him for ourselves." Alessia said. "Until then I don't want to agree to anything."

The next few hours were spent in alchemy. Though Alessia had no prior training, she helped as best she could with the more tedious tasks. Grounding, measuring and such. Serana kept an eye on her work, instructing to grid into a finer powder, or to stir something a bit slower or faster. They actually mixed or cooked nothing. That would come a bit later when Alessia wasn't in the room. Already the poor thing was sniffling and sneezing up a storm.

Eventually, weariness overcame them both and they both fell into bed in exhaustion. Alessia had the presence of mind to shove their feet under the blankets and cover them both. Warmth and werewolf scented air soothed Serana into contented sleep quickly. The next few days went on quite the same way. They would wake, Serana would feed after Alessia ate a quick breakfast. Eventually the alchemical mess on the kitchen table became too cluttered for meals. Gelebor graciously offered that they dine with him, and they did more often than not. Alessia remained mostly silent for these meals, choosing to sit back and simply watch the male as he and Serana carried on in polite conversation.

Other times they walked about the Chantry, just she and Alessia, taking in it's grand structures and elegant carvings. They were both mostly drawn to the Wall of Stories. Now that they knew of the snow elves' downfall, the images carved into the stone were easy enough to follow, though the symbols still meant nothing to either of them. Alessia had asked their host for a few sheet of paper to copy down the script. Gelebor was happy to oblige and gave her a whole leather bound journal to use.

When he offered to translate the old text, Alessia's curiosity won out. It was cautious conversation at first, like the first hesitant steps on an ice covered lake, but Serana watched as her mate's unease and mistrust slowly gave in to Gelebor's friendly and gracious manner. Or it at least looked as though Alessia were warming up to the elf. It wouldn't surprise Serana if her beloved was simply playing along for the sake of being polite.

Serana awoke one morning, or at least it was guessed to be morning, to find Alessia gone from their bed. It took only a second more to hear the loud crack of wooden weapons clashing somewhere nearby. Though suddenly panicked and afraid, Serana calmed after a few moments. Had it been the clang of steel on steel she most certainly wouldn't have taken her time in getting dressed. Getting out from under the warm, thick, blankets that still smelt of wolf was always difficult. Especially since the stone all around them was always noticeably colder. Of course, cold was not an issue, but Alessia's warmth and scent was vastly preferable. Her bare skin prickled in goosebumps for a short while until she was dressed.

Out in their living area, the sounds of fighting were more audible. Alessia had made sure to shut the bedroom door before she'd left, probably hoping the noise wouldn't disturb Serana's sleep. Outside the window, she saw only a brief flash of her wife before the wolf darted forward and out of sight again. A few moments passed and there was a loud thwak, a sharp yelp of pain, then Alessia's recognizable snarl.

Uh-oh… Serana thought as she went to the door and opened it.

"What the hell was that, elf?" Alessia growled, her back towards Serana. She'd been hit, obviously, but Serana couldn't see the extent of the damage.

Gelebor, it appeared, was also injured. He was holding the lower right side of his ribcage, wheezing a bit and gritting his teeth. Despite his obvious pain, the elf grinned. "At last, I land a blow."

Alessia snarled again, furious. "Won't matter if your guts are hanging out of your body, fool! If that had been a real blade, you would have just sacrificed your life for the sake of your damned male pride!"

"Were this a true battle, I would have also been wearing my armor. That cut would most certainly have hurt, but not taken my life. You, however, would be dead had I not pulled my punch." The Knight chuckled, though it seemed to hurt.

The blood hit Serana like a runaway carriage. Alessia's blood. Before she could react, her wolf did. One moment Alessia was standing with her back to them, and the next she was gone. Not "gone" truly, but on the move. The sparing attitude gone and replaced with that certain preditorial swiftness and power. Blood ran from a broken nose, staining the front of her shirt. But the female didn't seem to mind at all. Her blue eyes blazed with berserker fury as she came at Gelebor.

The elf saw her coming and reacted, but hardly fast enough to hold his own. The first blow landed on his wounded right side, an audible snap drawing a pain filled grunt from the male. The second blow landed on his right leg. That too was a loud snap. The third blow disarmed the male, and the final drove him down to the ground in an unmoving heap. Panting, Alessia knelt at his side and glared down at Gelebor.

"Were this a true battle, I wouldn't have held back the first time." Wolf growled her agreement. "As for your earlier statement… I'm a predator, Gelebor. A hunter. You were right about that. But I don't take a life, any life, without reason. Don't speak of it to me again."

And with that, Alessia turned her back on the writhing elf and stalked back to the dwelling. Finally noticing Serana standing there watching, Alessia hesitated only a moment before approaching. The blood drew Serana's attention for a moment, but the anger kept her attention.

When her wife was close enough to speak to without Gelebor's eavesdropping, Serana asked, "What was all that about?"

Alessia grunted a response, one of those sounds that somehow spoke volumes but said nothing specific, then stumbled into the dwelling. Serana followed, but not without giving Gelebor one last confused look. The elf was getting to his feet, or trying. Despite the pain he was in, the Knight was… smiling. Smiling as if he'd just won a bet over a large sum of coin. Odd. Inside, Serana went to her mate. Alessia seated herself by the hearth and held an already blood soaked rag up to her nose, cursing under her breath the whole time. It was funny, sort of, but Serana decided that laughing wasn't a good idea. Instead, she knelt at her wife's feet and attempted to help.

"Give me that." Serana said. Alessia relinquished her hold on the bloody rag. Upon further inspection the nose wasn't actually broken, thankfully, but it sure bled a lot. When at last the crimson liquid stopped flowing, Serana made eye contact with her mate. Alessia still hadn't spoken anything more than a few muttered curses and angry grunts. "What happened?"

"A sparing match." Alessia answered in a cut and dry tone. It sounded a bit nasally, but Serana tried not to notice. Or laugh. No laughing. Her mate apparently noticed the struggle to contain her mirth, and frowned. "It's not funny, Serana."

"I'm sorry, Love." She tried not to giggle. She really did. Instead, Serana sighed and shook her head. "How do you get yourself into these situations?"

"He started it." Alessia grumbled. "Gah, my head... Damn that pointy-eared bastard."

"Oh? Did he steal your sweet roll?" At the glare she received, Serana finally broke down and laughed. Alessia groaned, and tried to stand. To both their surprise, she stumbled and plopped back down into the chair heavily. Serana helped her settle, every ounce of amusement gone. Her wolf groaned again, and suddenly she felt a bit guilty for laughing. "Stay put. I'll be right back."

"Yes, Dear."

Though still a little guilty, that last "Yes, Dear" was a bit of a relief. If Alessia was still able to joke, she wasn't too badly hurt. Serana grabbed a few fresh rags, a bowl of clean water, and a chunk of the mushrooms she'd found growing just outside the barrier the day before. Alessia had be furious she'd gone beyond the protection of the barrier, but Serana had to see the magic for herself.

"Chew on this. Don't swallow it unless you want to spend the next few hours hallucinating." Serana almost forced the mushrooms into Alessia's mouth, then began cleaning up the drying blood.

Alessia gagged on the mushroom and made to spit it out. "Ugh, what is this? It tastes like-"

Serana hissed and shoved the half chewed fungus back into her mate's mouth. "Don't you dare. It will help with the headache."

"Yes, Dear."

She worked in silence for a few minutes, ignoring the rising hunger from all the blood. There was a lot of it. Surprising how a nose could bleed so much. Especially since it wasn't actually broken. Alessia chewed like a cow chewing cud, only not near as happily. Her poor wolf seemed to be turning green. No surprise. Though that particular mushroom had healing properties, it tasted particularly foul when untreated.

"Arms." Serana said as she tugged at the hopelessly blood soaked shirt. Alessia complied, raising her arms and helping the shirk off the garment. While Serana cleaned the rest of her wife's upper body, she asked again. "What happened?"

"Can I spit this out now? My head feels better." At Serana's nod, Alessia spit the horrid, gray goop into the fire. She shuddered a bit, then sighed. "I had a nightmare, but I didn't want to bother you with it. So I went for a little walk. Gelebor was already up and decided to join me. We got to talking and I mentioned that I needed to start sword training again. I've been so worried about you lately that I've neglected my daily sword routines. He offered to spar with me, then one thing led to another…"

"I'm guessing he brought up his brother?" Serana asked.

"During our walk, yes. We were right to assume he knows what I am. Thought that it might somehow make me more willing to hunt his brother down." Alessia ran her fingers through her sweaty hair. "It doesn't."

Serana stiffened, a bit of her own anger rising in her blood. "How would you being a werewolf make you any more amiable towards killing Vyrthur?"

"Something about 'sensing the wrongness within Vyrthur', or some such nonsense." Alessia growled, frustrated. "I mean, yes, he has a point. Wolf will most likely notice if something is 'wrong' with the elf. Disease or something like that. A physical ailment."

"I'm sure that once we're face to face with Vyrthur, we'll know. Perhaps that was what Gelebor was trying to say?"

"Maybe." Alessia groaned again, almost a whine. "We'll just have to wait and see."

"Alright, but until then… Go clean yourself up. " Serana pointed towards the door of the dwelling. "All that blood is making it hard to think straight. Any longer and I'm not going to be able to keep myself off you."

Her wolf raised an eyebrow at her, then grinned a slow, satisfying grin. "Oh? Did you not get enough last night?"

Indeed she had. Serana had fed heartily the night before, then spent the next few hours satisfying another hunger. Her breath caught at the memory of it. Around a gulp and a hitch of breath, Serana pointed again, "I have work to do if we're going to get out of here anytime soon. Go on. Before I change my mind."

Alessia rose, all fluid motions and sensual grace. She gave Serana a single peck on the cheek, then practically shimmied out of the room.

Alessia

"So… these Initiates had to lug around a heavy pitcher of water?" Serana's tone was clipped. Though she had found Gelebor and Alessia's squabble the day before entertaining, she had been somewhat distant with the elf ever since. Alessia seconded the feeling, but couldn't quite figure out what it was that had bothered her mate so. If she had to guess, it was probably the nose incident. When the Knight nodded in response to Serana's question, her mate groaned. "Lovely. Exactly how long are we to carry this thing around?"

"Once the Initiate's enlightenment was completed, they would bring the ewer to the Chantry's Inner Sanctum. They would then pour the contents of the ewer into the sacred basin in the Sanctum. Only then would they then be allowed an audience with the Arch-Curate himself."

The said ewer, which looked nothing more than an elaborate pitcher to Alessia, was fairly heavy. Even if an everyday mortal was capable of lugging such a thing around, the thing didn't have a lid. The "contents" would spill out eventually. Alessia glared doubtfully at the ewer in her hands. She couldn't very well wield a sword against the Falmer and carry the damned thing.

Before she could say anything, Serana commented. "Wait… So we go through all that trouble to fill the thing, just to dump it out at the end? How does that make any sense?"

"It is symbolic. I would not expect you to understand." The elf's calm demeanor cracked just a little.

Alessia pushed. "Alright. So we go through all this nonsense to get to the temple. That's where we find Auriel's Bow?"

"And my brother, yes." After a long stretch of silence, Gelebor groaned in exasperation. "I know how it all sounds, but if there was another way I would tell you. The only way forward is by following in the Initiates' footsteps and traveling from wayshrine to wayshrine just as they did. The first of which lay at the end of Darkfall Passage, a cavern that represents the absence of enlightenment."

"The first?" Alessia asked, glancing at the basin not ten feet away from where they spoke. The wayshrine was actually a large dome like structure atop the large staircase in the center of the Chantry. Alessia had mistaken it for a temple at first, but Gelebor had just explained otherwise. "How many more wayshrines are there?"

"There are five in total, not including this one, spread far out across the Chantry: Illumination, Sight, Learning, Resolution, and Radiance.""

"Five?" Alessia eyes grew wide. "These cave systems must be massive."

Seeming also surprised, Gelebor shook his head. "Caves? Oh, no. The Chantry encompasses far more than just a few caves, as you will soon discover."

"So, just to be clear…" Serana said slowly, nodding the the ewer in Alessia's hands. "We need to fill this at each wayshrine?"

"Yes, as I have already said twice." The elf sighed at the look both females gave him. "Once you have located a wayshrine, there will be a spectral Prelate tending to it. They are the ghosts of the snow elf priests that tended the wayshrines before being slaughtered by the Betrayed. Through the grace of Auri-El, they were restored to a spectral form to enable them to continue their duties. They will allow you to draw the waters from the shrine basin as if you have been enlightened."

"Are you saying we won't be enlightened?" Alessia asked. It earned her a glare from both Serana and the Knight. She shrugged. "It's a valid question."

Question ignored, Gelebor continued. "This may be the last time we are able to converse. If you have any other questions before you go, I suggest you ask them."

"No, Gelebor. I think we understand what needs to be done." Serana replied after a short pause.

"Then I wish you a safe journey. May Auri-El keep you free from harm."

Goodbyes said, Alessia and Serana approached the basin. It was stone, about waist high, and filled with a few inches of crystal clear water. Ahead in one of the five archways was a wavering void. Serana touched the surface, experimentally, and found it solid. Impassable. Alessia looked to the basin of water, then to the ewer in her hands, then back to the basin.

"Well, here goes nothing." Alessia dipped the metal pitcher into the water as deeply as it's few inches would allow. To her surprise, the ewer held a mere fifth of it's weight and the basin water level remained unchanged.

The wavering void rippled with an audible zing. Suddenly they were not looked at a wavering void, but at a wavering passage way of ragged stone. Alessia blinked, rubbed at her eyes and tried to focus on the surface of the image. No luck. All she could see was the passageway. Just to be sure, she looked back at Gelebor. The male watched them, expression blank, but nodded once.

"Snow elf magic… amazing." Serana muttered, just as in awe as Alessia. "That still doesn't solve our spilling problem."

"I've got an idea." Alessia held out the ewer, and Serana took it cautiously. "Freeze it and then lash it to my pack."

Serana did so with a brittle smile on her face. "Clever."

Alessia chuckled nervously. "Well you didn't marry me for just my good looks."

"No. I also married you for your razor sharp wit and courageous heart..." Serana mirrored the nervous laugh, if only just. "That… and you have an ass like a-"

Gelebor cleared his throat audibly.

They both felt the ease in tension, but neither made any move towards the wavering image. "Ready?"

"Not really." Alessia answered, taking a firm hold of Serana's hand. "But I'll be happy when we get out of these damned caves."