Wedding Bells and Drums of War 2

"Join me brothers and sisters of Skyrim! Join the Blades and together we can rid ourselves of the Thalmor menace!"

The lone man had begun to draw a crowd and he preached and recruited any who would listen in the bar. Many wanted to see who was brave enough or fool enough to so openly talk about the Blades. Like Talos, even speaking about them was enough reason to be taken away by the Thalmor.

Word of the man had already left the bar and was making its way through the streets. It would not be long before a Thalmor agent heard what was going on, but the man did not seem to care.

"The Thalmor can not stop us. They can't even find us! We will lead our people to freedom!"

"How do we even know you're a real Blade?" A man asked.

"You look like you've had a few to many drinks."

The speaker smirked and reached into his robes and pulled out a long curved sword.

"See my sword, only those of the Blades carry such a weapon! This is my-"

Before the man could continue his speech, a man reached through the crowd of people and griped the man by the front of his shirt and yanked him down to eye level.

"Unhand me! Unhand me I say!"

It was only when the crowd parted that the man saw who now held him.

Nero.

And he did not look pleased.

"Have you gone completely mad?"

The man blinked before a scowl formed on his face, "unhand me race traitor. I will not be bullied by the likes of you."

The crowd around the two went quiet as they too recognized Nero. Many then began to mumble in discontent at the man's use of the word, traitor.

"Care to repeat that?"

The man ripped himself free of Nero, "you heard me. You would allow our people to be over run by the Thalmor. Worse yet, you do nothing to rid our land of the dragons that threaten each and every one of us. You are a traitor to your own people. And now you marry that monster-"

Nero's patience had run out when he had first heard the man start speaking. Now his temper had boiled over when the man had begun to even speak of Serana and risk the possibility of someone learning about her being a vampire. So to quickly silence the man, Nero flipped over the table. Sending the raving fool head over heels onto the floor with a satisfying thud.

Around them, none of the crowd was all to eager to help the man up. Before he had begun to win some over, but he had dared speak ill of the Dragonborn and his wife. So he would find no friends in the bar anymore.

"Traitor…a traitor with his monster bride-"

A quick boot to the head finally shut the man up. Nero closed his eyes as he lowered his foot.

"My Thane, I think some Thalmor agents are coming." Lydia called from the bars door. Lydia looked outside again and frowned, "two of them."

Nero groaned, before walking to over the bar, and reaching behind the counter, pulled out several bottles of various wines and ales. He then uncorked them and began pouring it over the man.

Nero turned to his housecarls, "get me some dirt. Hurry."

Iona quickly ran to a window and reaching outside pulled some fresh soil from the ground.

Taking the dirt, Nero rubbed it over the man's face and clothes till he was properly covered. While before the man had been a slightly tipsy traveler. He now appeared as a drunken homeless hermit.

A very dirty hermit.

"This man had way to much to drink. He started ranting like a mad man before he fell and knocked himself out on the table. Right"

Around Nero the crowd nodded and went back to their business. Nero reached down and picked up the sword the man had been carrying, and confirmed it was indeed an authentic weapon of the Blades.

"Damn…Lydia how close are they?"

"They're just down the street, but they're defiantly coming here."

Nero swore, he did not want to be holding this sword when the Thalmor came in. Thinking fast, Nero began to summon a fire spell and heated the sword, till it turned to slag onto the stone floor. Quickly, Nero cast an ice spell, cooling the slag and kicked it away into a far corner.

Nero only just made it back to his stool as two Thalmor agents entered the bar. They quickly spotted Nero.

Walking over, they stood in front of Nero, who slowly turned to face them, "Gentlemen, care for a drink?"

Neither agent looked amused, "Where is he?"

"Who?"

The agent scowled, "The Blade."

Nero shrugged, "you mean that drunk? He's over there on the floor."

Nero then pointed over the fallen man. Moving past Nero the agents moved to the man. When one bent down to inspect him, he quickly pulled back, covering his nose, "what is that smell?"

The agent poked the man with his foot, a look of disgust etched on his face, "he's a mess."

The other agent tapped his comrades shoulder, "this is a waste of time. If this man's a Blade, then I'm an Emissary."

"We should still take him in."

"Do you want to be the one to explain why we've brought in another fool who doesn't know anything? You want the head ache, then you can carry him yourself."

The agent then left, not bothering to give Nero a second glance. The last agent frowned and grumbled under his breath before stepping away from the man. Before leaving, he turned his attention towards Nero, "I'd be more careful if I were you. It'd be a shame if you had to miss your own wedding. I'm sure you wife would be just devastated."

His smirk grew slightly, "of course I'd be more than happy to comfort her."

The crowded bar was silent, waiting for what, if anything, Nero would do in retaliation to the Thalmor's taunt. After a few seconds nothing had happened.

Nero glared at the Thalmor, but did not move or speak. The Thalmor frowned at the lack of response from Nero and turned to leave.

When he was gone, Nero motioned for his housecarls, "get him out of the city. Take him to the lighthouse. I will be there shortly."

Lydia, Iona and Rayya quickly began preparing to move the man while Nero got up and walked out of the bar. Whatever hope he had once had of making it through this day without any more problems were dashed.

Today he was going to have to deal with the Blades. If they had become so inept that they would welcome men like that into the order; or if the order had become like that man; he would have to take action.

-Blue Palace-

Serana couldn't help but snicker as she glanced at the show besides her. Today she was finally deciding how she was going to wear her hair. Besides her several other stylists were following her stylists example so that she and the flower girls would match. However to her left, she swore a battle of wills was taking place between her bride's maid, and the woman trying to do her hair.

Aela growled as another knot was yanked out of her hair, "gods damn it it woman. What are you trying to do to me?"

The stylist, an older woman, forced Aela for face the mirror, "hold still. It's only going to get worse if you keep fighting me."

When the stylist had entered the room to start working on the women's hair, some had paled at the sight of Aela. However the older woman had apparently seen Aela as a challenge to her skills, and was determined to turn the she beast into a proper lady.

Even if it killed her.

Serana couldn't tell if she had meant herself or Aela.

Aela noticed the smug look on Serana's face, "you're enjoying this far too much…OW!"

Serana didn't bother to hide her laughter, "only just."

"I still don't know why I agreed to this."

"Because," Serana began, "it's a great honor."

Aela clearly didn't agree, "This, is revenge for you."

"Do you really think I'd be so petty?"

"Yes," Aela answered flatly. Serana broke into a fit of laughter, followed by Aela, who joined her. While the two laughed, the doors to room opened.

Jordis walked in though it was clear she was trying to block someone from following her, "Lady Serana, we have an issue."

"I said step aside woman."

Jordis turned, her hand laying on the pummel of her sword, "I don't care who you are. My job is to protect Lady Serana and I will not tolerate someone like you just barging into her room!"

"I will go where I please. And if you dare to threaten me I will make sure you regret it."

Serana waved Jordis away, "Jordis its ok. Let them pass."

Jordis looked back before she moved aside. Walking past her, Rulindil walked into the room, He gave Jordis a quick glare before making his way over to Serana and Aela.

"Ah is does seem like I have walked in at a rather bad time."

Serana didn't bother to turn to face the Thalmor, choosing to only watch him in the reflection in the mirror. "So what is a Thalmor doing here?"

Rulindil frowned, not happy that his presence was not having the effect he had hoped on the bride, "I am Rulindil, an emissary for the Thalmor. I have a duty to ensure that everything to do with this wedding follows the treaty set by the Empire."

Serana waved her hand dismissively, "oh and I'm sure some women getting their hair done is a prime place for subterfuge. I can't possibly think of another reason for you to be here."

Rulindil walked closer to Serana, "I don't think I care for your tone woman. I also don't think you understand what joining with that man will mean for you."

Serana looked over at Aela, "is he threatening me?"

"I don't know? I haven't been paying much attention."

"Listen Rul-what ever you name is. Just because the Empire says I have to let you attend my wedding, doesn't mean I have to talk to you. Now if you don't mind, I'm busy with something much more important. I'm trying to decide if I should wear my hair up or not."

Rulindil seethed, and quickly walked in front of Serana, "Listen here you little wench. It would only take a single order from me and I could have you locked away. I came here in good faith to warn you about the dangers you will face if you marry Nero."

Serana finally looked up at Rulindil, "and what kind of dangers would those be?"

"Nero has made himself many enemies. And while he is a very dangerous man, you however, offer a potential weakness. I would hate to think that someone would try to use you to get to him."

Rulindil reached into his robes and pulled out a small stone idol of Talos, "someone could even be so dastardly as to plant this small idol in your room. And if an agent of the Thalmor were to see it, why he would have no chose but to take you in for questioning."

Rulindil rolled the small idol in his hand, "Nero might then do something reckless and try and free you. I would hate to think what would happen to the man. He may be strong but I doubt he could last against our forces."

A growl escaped Aela's throat, "coward."

Rulindil smirked as he tossed the idol from one hand to the other, "now, now, I'm only here to offer advice."

"You're twice the idiot I thought you were."

Rulindil frowned at Serana, "What was that?"

"First, Nero isn't a very dangerous man. He is the most dangerous man you will ever meet. Second, you decided to talk about killing him in front of the two most dangerous women you could possible find."

Rulindil blinked and looked down at Serana, "I am aware that that woman is a Companion. So who is the supposed second? You couldn't possibly be talking about yourself?"

Rulindil tossed the idol once more, but when he tried to catch it, he quickly realized the idol was gone. Serana had quickly reached out and plucked it from the air, in mid toss. With a squeeze she crushed the stone to dust.

"I was. Let me offer you some advice Rulindil. Nero has the patience of a god, when he's dealing with you and your kind. How he hasn't already wiped the lot of you out is beyond me. And believe me, he very well could."

Serana stood up and poured the dust remains of the idol into Rulindil's hand, "I don't share my husbands gift for restraint or patients. If I ever hear you even hint at doing anything to hurt him. I will kill you. And I promise, there won't be enough of you left to identify. Do I make myself clear."

Rulindil suddenly found he had nothing else to say, which was a good enough answer for Serana, "Jordis, please escort Rulindil out."

Jordis pulled Rulindil out and closed the door behind her. Serana sat back down and sighed, "well that was pleasant."

Aela shrugged, "you handled yourself well enough."

Soon the stylists returned to their work. Aela gave Serana one last glance, "so which one of us is the most dangerous women here?"

-Light House-

"You can't do this to me!"

Lydia swore as the man tried once again to get away from her, and the others. Iona pushed him back down onto the ground, "you are going to stay right their until our Thane decides what to do with you."

"That traitor has no right to decide anything!"

Lydia reached down and grabbed the man by his jaw, clamping his mouth shut, "say one more word, and I will break your jaw. Understand?"

The man gulped and wisely decided to shut up. Lydia gave the man one last glance before letting him go. As she stood up, she finally saw Nero coming up to meet them. What surprised her was what he was wearing.

While before he had been wearing his simple clothing, he now looked ready for a war. He wore his dragon bone armor, and had several weapons strapped to his side. Even Iona and Rayya were surprised.

"My Thane?"

Nero waved them off, "go back to Solitude now. I'm going to deal with this."

Rayya gave Nero another look over, "deal with what?"

When Nero gave no answer, the three decided not to press their luck and quickly left. Leaving Nero and a now terrified man alone.

"What are you going to do to me?"

Nero didn't even look down at the man nor acknowledge him in anyway, "Durnehviir!"

The man watched in horror as the air in front of him blurred and burned into a blaze of black fire. Soon the great undead dragon Durnehviir stood before the two.

"Gods above. Save me."

Durnehviir didn't pay the man any mind, "Ah Qahnaarin, it is good to see you." Tilting his head, Durnehviir examined Nero, "you appear ready to wage a small war. Are we heading into a battle?"

"We might be. I have an issue I need to deal with. It may turn ugly. I need you to take me to the Blades."

Durnehviir lowered himself to let Nero climb onto of him, "and what of the whelp?"

"Can you carry him?"

Durnehviir looked down at the man, "you expect me to let him ride on my back?"

"No."

Durnehviir chuckled, "oh, that I can do."

The man scrambled away, as Durnehviir beat his wings to take off. Swooping down, he grabbed the screaming man in his claws, and flew away.

Authors Notes:

This was originally part of chapter 1 but I decided to cut it in half, since at the time, I wasn't sure how much longer it'd take me to finish the whole thing. But with classes and tests over I suddenly found a lot of time to hammer this out. Just like old times when I would post a chapter every other day.

Next time, things are going to get nasty as Nero finally confronts the Blades and specifically Delphine. He also learns that some very important information has been kept from him. Spoiler warning, he isn't happy about it.