Musical Inspiration for this chapter: War by Poets of the Fall.
I should also mention that my friend BrunetteAuthorette99 author of the very popular fanfic, The Bear and the Wolf, and I have decided to put our writing skills together to bring you a spinoff called The Thief and The Lecher. Its a story all about Lassarina and Finverior and their six months together after she defeated Mercer and decided to run away from her life for awhile. It's really good!
Only one chapter left, followed by the epilogue! Start preparing for a very shocking ending!
Start thinking of questions you might have for the next book!
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Chapter Thirty-Five
"Dragonborn, it's time."
Lassarina looked up when the voice of an elderly man addressed her, and she was shocked to be looking at a very familiar face. He wore Greybeard robes, and the last time she had seen him was only a couple of weeks ago, when Einarr's and her minds went back in time and witnessed him use the Elder Scroll to banish Alduin.
"You're Felldir the Old," she said.
"I am," the ancient hero nodded. "And it is time for you and your brother to join us and face your destiny."
Her whole body went stiff and she looked down at Kodlak, sitting in her lap while he chewed on a honeyed-nut treat he plucked from a nearby plate. The thought of letting go of her child caused an unimaginable tightness in her heart, as if someone was crushing it in their hand, and for a moment she wished she could stay forever and never leave him. A hand rested gently on her shoulder, and she turned her head to see her father frowning at her, his blue-green eyes filled with sadness.
"You knew you'd have to leave, darling," he told her.
"Aye, I know . . . I just wish I could take him with me." Tears began to form in her eyes and the fist around her heart squeezed tighter. "He didn't deserve to have his life cut short before even getting the opportunity to live it."
Fjrokvar sighed and wiped her tears away. "Life isn't always fair, Lassarina. I wish I could have lived to watch you grow up; you had such a rough childhood, and your time in Cyrodiil wasn't any better. But bad things happen to us so that we can become stronger and better people after having experienced them."
She let out a small chuckle. "A life lesson from my father, something every girl should get."
"You'll be strong, my daughter. You'll see your son one day, but hopefully not for many years."
"What will happen to him? You know, after I leave Sovngarde?"
"He appeared in the hall around the same time as the Khajiit woman. I imagine he'll go back to the realm he went to when he died."
"Will you watch him? Until I'm gone?"
"Of course."
With a soft sob, Lassarina hugged her baby boy and kissed the top of his head. As she pulled away, she pushed his black hair away from his forehead and looking into those happy pale-blue eyes.
I'm going to miss him so much . . .
"Be a good boy, Kodlak," she told him, putting on a brave face for his benefit and forcing herself to smile. "Always know that me and Papa are thinking about you, and that we both love you very much."
Kodlak nodded and smiled at her as he said, "Love you, Mama."
The smile she forced fell at those words and she clutched Kodlak to her chest, letting her tears and sorrow out without any care. Their separation felt as painful as the first time, and she knew that she would carry this new scar for the rest of her life. She felt her father try and pull Kodlak from her grasp, and for a moment she fought him, not wanting to let go of her child. But eventually Kodlak was taken from her and she felt her father kiss her forehead.
"Be strong," he reminded her. "Know that I love you, my daughter, and that I believe in you."
She looked up, her vision clouded by tears, and watched as Fjrokvar walked away with Kodlak. This so-called gift the gods and daedra had given her and her brother, while wonderful at the beginning, was more painful than anything she could imagine. She was all too aware of Felldir still standing a few feet away, but chose to ignore him as she wiped away her tears and stood up.
"Are you ready?" the elder Nord asked her.
She nodded glumly. "Aye, I'm ready."
Felldir led her over to where her brother stood with Faraya and two other very familiar warriors. She remembered them from their vision of the past and remembered their names were Gormlaith and Hakon, siblings who fought Alduin side by side. Einarr was exchanging his final goodbyes with his wife, holding her close and kissing her with a tenderness Lassarina had never thought her hardened brother to possess.
"I love you, ja'aran," Faraya murmured to him, the fur around her eyes damp with tears.
"And I love you, tok," Einarr replied, giving her one more kiss.
"May the roads lead you to warm sands."
Not giving Einarr the opportunity to just hold onto her they way Lassarina held onto Kodlak, Faraya walked away, disappearing down the hall without looking back. Einarr watched her the entire time, and Lassarina could see the strife and longing in his eyes. The pain he felt at that moment was likely equal to her own. Without saying a word, she went to his side and hugged him, showing that she was there for him while trying to feel comforted at the same time.
Gormlaith was the one to interrupt the moment. "At long last! Alduin's doom is now ours to seal–just speak the word, and with high hearts we'll hasten forth to smite the worm wherever he lurks."
"Hold, comrades," Felldir said. "Let us counsel take before battle is blindly joined. Alduin's mist is more than a snare–its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak. But with five Voices joined, our valor combined, we can blast the mist and bring him to battle."
Hakon, who had been listening with his arms crossed over his chest, nodded. "Felldir speaks wisdom–the World-Eater, coward, fears you, both of you. We must drive away his mist, Shouting together, and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe."
They all moved to draw their weapons, which startled Einarr and Lassarina a bit.
"Alduin escaped us long ago," Felldir spoke with determination in his voice. "Today we take our well-tempered revenge."
Gormlaith laughed and began jogging toward the doors. "To battle, my friends! The field will echo with the clamor of war, our wills undaunted."
Lassarina walked beside her brother as they followed the Nordic heroes of old, feeling butterflies begin to form in her stomach. She wasn't going to lie—she was scared to face Alduin again. The last time they fought him, the battle had been long and had drained them of all their energy. What would today's battle bring? Swallowing the lump in her throat, she glanced over her shoulder, hoping to get one last look at her father and son. But they were nowhere to be seen.
I've already said my goodbyes to them.
"Lassarina," Einarr murmured her name.
She turned to look at her brother, noticing his eyes were darkened with worry. "Einarr?"
"Be careful out there . . . don't do anything stupid."
"I'll ask the same of you."
"And if there comes a moment, one where one of us would have to sacrifice ourselves, promise me that you'll let me do it."
Lassarina's eyes widened in shock. "But, Einarr–"
"Promise me, Lassarina!" Einarr growled, cutting her off and glaring at her.
Lassarina fell silent and frowned at her older brother. He was completely serious, and she could tell from the look in his eyes that he wasn't going to argue about this. He wasn't giving her a choice.
"I promise," she said softly, looking down at the ground.
His fingers grabbed her chin and lifted her head, forcing her to look at him once more. His eyes had softened and he was smiling sadly at her.
"I love you, little sister."
She smiled back and wrapped her arms around him, ignoring the uncomfortable sharpness his armor had. "I love you too, big brother."
He drew his sword and she her bow, and they ran out of the hall, right behind the legendary heroes. The made their way across the Whalebone Bridge, passing Tsun, and stood side by side at the very edge of Alduin's mist. The entire valley was deathly quiet and they couldn't even see Alduin flying around, snatching souls from the fog.
"We cannot fight in this mist," Felldir told them.
"Clear Skies!" Gormlaith said. "Combine our Shouts!"
Lassarina nodded and looked to her brother, urging him to go ahead and lead them. Einarr acknowledged her with a blink and turned to the mist, taking a deep breath. Then, all five of them Shouted.
"Lok . . .Vah Koor!"
The mist blew away from them, disappearing from view and allowing Lassarina a clear view of the vale for the first time. She didn't have time to take it all in before Alduin himself Shouted.
"Ven Mul Riik!"
"Again!" Gormlaith growled.
"We can shatter his power if we Shout together!" Felldir added.
What do you think we're doing now? Lassarina thought irritably.
"Lok . . . Vah Koor!"
"Ven Mul Riik!"
The mist once again returned and Hakon snapped, "Does his strength have no end? Is our struggle in vain?"
"Stand fast!" his sister urged him. "His strength is failing! Once more, and his might will be broken!"
Lassarina looked at her brother quickly before facing the mist once more and taking a deep breath.
"Lok . . . Vah Koor!"
The mist was all gone; the sky was clear. Alduin's soul snare had been broken.
"Strun . . . Bah Qo!" Alduin's voice reverberated around the valley, causing the ground beneath their feet to quake.
"Lassarina!" Einarr yelled. "The sky!"
She knew all too well what was to come and turned her gaze up just as the meteors started to appear. Remembering how to rid themselves of that problem, she used Clear Skies one more time on her own, making the flaming rocks disappear before they even touched the ground. She was catching her breath when she spotted the black wings of her nightmares approaching.
"Einarr, Dragonrend!" she told her brother as she broke into a sprint and ran across the short expanse of grass in front of them to stand by the raised earth that served as makeshift wall for her.
But Einarr had already thought ahead and looked at the quickly approaching dragon. "Joor . . .Zah Frul!"
Alduin shrieked in protest as the Shout hit him, surrounding him in the blue aura and forcing him to land. The ground shook as the evil dragon hit the ground, and the fight was on.
"Zu'u ni faas gaaffesejul!" Alduin roared at them. "Yol Toor Shul!"
Fire poured from his maw, aimed directly at the Nords in front of him, but Lassarina wasn't part of the frontal assault. Pushing aside any concerns for Einarr, she nocked an arrow and fired it at Alduin's neck. When he didn't feel it and snapped his jaws at Gormlaith, she growled angrily and fired another, this time hitting his snout. That hit got his attention, and he turned to glare at her.
"Duziir joor!" he growled. "Yol Toor Shul!"
Lassarina gasped and dove out of the way just before the fire hit her. She lay on the ground, covering her head with her hands and smelling the distinct scent of burned hair. She panicked when she felt heat near her neck and smacked her auburn locks rapidly to extinguish the flames. Rising to her knees, she quickly inspected the singed ends, deducing that she'd have to cut it to her shoulders once they left Sovngarde.
"You son of a bitch!" she snarled as she nocked an arrow and fired it at the dragon. "It was finally starting to get long again!"
"Lassarina, focus!" Einarr shouted at her as he slashed at Alduin's flank.
The aura around the dragon's body was beginning to fade and Lassarina quickly rectified it. "Joor . . .Zah Frul!"
"Hin sil fen nahkip bahloki!" Alduin snarled at Einarr, swinging his tail at him.
The blow landed and sent Einarr flying back. Lassarina stopped breathing for a moment, ignoring the task at hand and staring at Einarr's body, only letting out a relieved sigh as he got back to his feet slowly.
"Are you all right?" Lassarina asked him as she continued firing arrow after arrow. "Einarr?"
"Aye, I'm fine; focus on Alduin!" he told her through gritted teeth.
She thought she should go to him and use a healing spell, but he charged at Alduin once more, his blade already coated in the dragon's blood. They fought for what felt like hours, falling back into the same rhythm they had back at the peak of the Throat of the World, taking turns using Dragonrend and having the ancient Nords use Clear Skies. Their bodies were covered in burns, bruises and other wounds; but Einarr refused to back down, even if Hakon, Gormlaith and Felldir fell to their knees from exhaustion.
"We need to end this!" Lassarina panted heavily, firing her last arrow into Alduin's face. "I'm out of arrows!"
Einarr seemed to acknowledge her words through action, running to Alduin's neck and grabbing one of the spikes that grew from his shoulder. Alduin turned his head to try and bite Einarr, but Lassarina stopped him by dropping her bow and running at the dragon, drawing her twin ebony blades and stabbing the other side of his neck. He shrieked in pain and jerked his head suddenly, flinging Lassarina away, her blades still embedded in his neck. But her distraction had given Einarr the time he needed and he sat mounted just behind Alduin's head, his greatsword raised high.
"You're done!" he snarled at the dragon right before thrusting his blade down through Alduin's skull.
Alduin reared back, sending Einarr flying, and he roared with a mixture of pain and disbelief. Lassarina remained lying on the ground, but watched as a strange light began to swirl around the black dragon and clouds filled the sky above. The swirls of light seemed similar to the light of dragon souls she and her brother had absorbed in the past, but they were ascending to the sky instead of flowing into Einarr's or her body.
"Niid!" Alduin shrieked just as his body became washed in a painfully bright light, forcing Lassarina to look away and cover her eyes.
A boom filled the air and the ground shook. Then there was silence. Heart pounding in her chest, Lassarina dared to open her eyes and saw that Alduin was gone, no trace of him left. Then, the sky slowly began to clear and the warm light of the sun, or whatever it was that floated in the center of the heavens, lit the valley, a welcome change from the dark gloom that had covered Sovngarde before. She slowly got to her feet just as Felldir approached with Hakon and Gormlaith.
"Our ancient debt for Alduin's reprieve is now repaid–the long night is ended!"
"You and your brother did it!" Gormlaith praised her.
Lassarina gasped and looked over to her brother. Einarr was still lying on the ground, his eyes closed.
"Einarr!" she cried, running over to him and falling to her knees when she reached him. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Einarr, please be alive, brother! Open your eyes!"
Her voice seemed to reach him, since he groaned a second later and brought the heel of his palm to his eyes. "Remind me never to do that again . . ."
Lassarina laughed and threw herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck. She felt Einarr's chuckled rumble through his chest and he clutched the back of her head.
"Sorry about your hair."
She pulled away, shaking her head. "Nay, it's fine. It'll grow back."
"I can't believe we did it . . . we actually won."
"Aye," Tsun's voice startled them both and they looked up at the tall warrior. "They will sing of this battle in Shor's hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere. When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome the both of you again with glad friendship and bid you join the blessed feasting."
The ancient heroes had approached as well with the elder Kodlak at their side, Gormlaith carrying both of Lassarina's blades, while Hakon had only half of Einarr's sword in his.
"I'm afraid your weapon was damaged when you struck the final blow," Hakon told him.
Einarr shook his head and sighed. "That's all right; I can always forge another."
"We will never forget what you have done for the world on this day," Felldir said.
Then they all took up the same cry. "All hail the Dragonborns! Hail them with great praise!"
Lassarina blushed, but then remembered something. "Wait, what happened to Alduin? He just disappeared. Were we not meant to absorb his soul?"
"Absorbing Alduin's soul would have destroyed either of you," Tsun explained. "His soul returned to Akatosh, since it was he who brought Alduin and his brethren into existence."
"So, that light above us–"
"Is the mighty Akatosh."
Lassarina looked up at the light, completely in awe now that she knew she was looking up at the holy light that was Akatosh. It was extremely humbling, the entire experience.
"When you are ready to rejoin the living, just bid me so, and I will send you both back," Tsun told them.
Her gaze went to the Hall of Valor, her heart urging her to run back across the bridge and embrace her son and father one last time. Einarr had clearly figured what she was thinking, for he put a hand on her shoulder and made her look at him.
"We cannot join the dead," he told her. "Not yet."
"Aye . . . you're right," she sighed. She looked at Tsun. "We're ready to return to Tamriel."
"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord: a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need."
Lassarina and Einarr both gasped when the knowledge of a new Shout suddenly came to their minds. If the need should ever arise, they could summon Falldir, Gormlaith or Hakon to their side to aid them for a short time. Lassarina didn't think she'd ever use it, however, no matter how convenient it was.
"Shit," Einarr murmured. "I just realized something."
Lassarina turned to her brother just as Tsun took a deep breath. "What is it?"
"I never saw my father."
"Nahl . . . Daal Vus!"
oOo
Einarr and Lassarina walked into Whiterun on foot three days later. After Tsun had sent them back to Nirn, they had found themselves at the top of the Throat of the World, where all the dragons had gathered. They had exchanged a few words with Paarthurnax, thanking him for his help and receiving thanks in return for ending Alduin's reign, before the ancient white dragon had flown off, leading a group of dragons to Skuldafn to follow the Way of the Voice. Others had left on their own, choosing not to follow Paarthurnax, until only Odahviing remained with a couple of other dragons. The three dragons had sworn their allegiance to both Einarr and Lassarina and told them that they could call upon them should they ever need the help of a dragon.
Luckily the journey back had been uneventful; they had not been attacked by wolves or bandits or even sabre cats. It seemed the world was giving them a much-needed break, something they were definitely going to take advantage of once they reached their homes. They walked through the streets, offering tired smiles to the citizens that praised them, cheering their victory and thanking them fervently for defeating the evil that threatened their lives. Einarr even received another kiss from Ysolda, only this time he pushed her away.
"I'm sorry, Ysolda," he told her. "I just can't focus on this right now. I need a few days with my family and to rest. Then . . . maybe we can talk about this."
Ysolda seemed a little saddened, but she nodded at him. "Alright, I understand. I just wanted to let you know how I felt."
"And I appreciate you showing me, but, again, I want some time with my family. The last few months have caused me to be a bit neglectful."
He and his sister left the market behind and climbed the steps to Jorrvaskr, the doors opening wide for them. They entered and were immediately overwhelmed by their family and friends. Einarr laughed when he caught Finverior kissing his sister full on the mouth, only to get dragged off by Vilkas, who pulled Lassarina into a passionate kiss that lasted for a full minute before she pulled away and knelt on the ground to hug her children. A tall, skinny body crashed into him when he wasn't paying attention.
"You're back!" Kiraya sobbed happily. "You're back!"
"Aye, kitten, I'm back," Einarr laughed, hugging his daughter. "I promised I would."
"I thought you died!"
"What? Why would you think that?"
"You were gone," Aela suddenly spoke, a few tears of relief forming in her eyes. "The morning after you left, I couldn't sense you anymore. It was like our bond disappeared."
"It's probably because we ascended into Sovngarde."
"I'm just glad you're back, Einarr."
He smiled at his forebear and pulled her into a hug. "Aye, I'm glad I'm back too."
"We knew when you killed Alduin too!" Rohan said excitedly.
"What? How did you know?" Lassarina asked as she was hugged by Avyanna.
"A strange light flashed across the sky," Ria explained. "And then only a short while later, the dragons that had gathered around the mountain began to Shout."
"Dragon loud!" Randulf chirped from where he was being held by Grognak.
"Lassarina, what happened to your hair?" Avyanna asked as she pulled away. "It's all burnt."
"Alduin," she grumbled. "Damned dragon used a Fire Breath Shout and singed my hair pretty good."
"I'll trim it for you later."
"Thank you, Anna, but let's save that for after I've rested some."
"Aye, we're both exhausted," Einarr added. "We barely got any sleep on the way back."
"Let's go home then," Vilkas told Lassarina. "We can talk about how you drugged me again when you wake up."
"Papa, can I come down with you?" Kiraya asked.
Einarr smiled at his daughter. "Of course, kitten."
The Companions let them go and Einarr had an arm around Kiraya's shoulders the entire way to his room. When he sat down on the bed, Kiraya moved to leave, but he stopped her and patted the mattress.
"Sit down, kitten; I want to tell you what happened in Sovngarde."
"You killed Alduin, right?" she asked, taking a seat beside him.
"Aye, but before that, I saw your mother."
Kiraya's eyes widened. "How? I thought Sovngarde was only for Nords!"
"My mother petitioned Azura and Shor to allow Faraya to step into the Hall of Valor for the amount of time I was in Sovngarde. I spoke to her, and I got to spend an hour with her before I left to fight Alduin. I told her all about you and how we both miss her. She wanted me to give you a message."
"What message?"
Einarr smiled down at his daughter. "She wants you to know that she's always watching over you. That she's very proud of you, and she loves you very much. As much as I love you, Kiraya."
Kiraya smiled sadly at him and looked down at her lap. "I wonder if I'll ever see her . . . even in the afterlife."
Einarr gently stroked his daughter's hair. "You're too young to be thinking about death. You should be more concerned with improving your aim, sharpening your blades, and, Mara forgive me, thinking about boys."
"Oh, but I thought boys were off limits. Sure you didn't hit your head in Sovngarde, Papa?"
"I hit my head quite a few times, but I gave Alduin one last headache before I killed him." He laughed and showed her his broken greatsword.
"How did it break? I thought Eorland said dragonbone was too strong to break."
"Unless something equally strong hit it. I pierced Alduin's skull with this blade. I think I'll hang it up on the wall beside Wuuthrad; a monument to your aunt's and my victory."
"Are you going to make another one?"
He nodded and choked on a yawn. "Aye, but before I do that, sleep!"
Kiraya giggled and gave him one last hug before hopping off the bed and pulling the door shut as she exited. "Sleep tight, Papa."
Einarr didn't even bother getting out of his armor. He'd deal with the darning his mattress and blankets after he got some much deserved sleep.
Next chapter: The conclusion...
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and remember to Fave/Follow/Review!
Much love,
Mirage