Thanks again everyone, you are all awesome! Wish i could buy you all Christmas presents for your continued support, but seeing as I cannot, you can have this chapter from me instead! :P
-Dovabeth, I'm BAAACK ;) lol
-InuGhost, thank you so much! I will hopefully get more time after Christmas is over with :P As for pizza, maybe ask Odahviing he can eat a Thalmor every time he gets one delivered early? ;D
-Lorrak, sorry for keeping you waiting, here is the next one :P
-redchillismoke, I MISS YOUUUUUU! *ahem* anyway, thank you so much :D
Morgan gritted her teeth as the harsh winds assaulted her face the moment she went out the door. She looked down at the remains of the courtyard garden before looking out to sea. Serana and Valerica were standing in the sheltered part of the balcony and were silently watching her, their orange eyes glittering in the gloom that the ruined doorway provided.
"OH….DAH….VIING!"
Her thu'um blasted outwards into the snowy sky and she smiled as a roar responded to her call. It seemed that her second dragon ally had been flying in the vicinity, and when she spotted his massive red body emerge from the low clouds, she could only admire the way that Odahviing could easily ignore the foul weather and make it look as though he wasn't even bothered by it.
She took a step back as he landed on the ruined tower and dipped his head towards her.
"Drem Yol Lok, Dovahkiin," Odahviing rumbled.
"Drem Yol Lok, Odahviing," Morgan replied. "It is good to see you again."
"You have been gone a number of days. The Old One was getting anxious about hearing of your adventures after what your friend told us."
"Lydia been up to see you and Paarthurnax I see?" Morgan grinned.
"Indeed. She is…different than most joor that I meet."
"Is that longing I hear Odahviing?" Morgan teased now, and was rewarded with a plume of hot air being blasted into her face as Odahviing snorted.
"Just paying my respects Dovahkiin," Odahviing said.
"I'm kidding my friend. And to ally your fears, I am fine. As is Serana of course," Morgan added.
"Looking beautiful as ever Odahviing!" Serana yelled cheekily.
Odahviings mouth turned upwards into what looked like a smile before he turned his head back to face Morgan once more.
"You called me?"
Morgan fought the urge to roll her eyes at his change of topic.
"Yes. We need to stop Harkon before anyone else dies. You probably know about the attacks in the towns around Skyrim?"
"I do. And I agree. It is time we shed the blood of our enemies once more Dovahkiin," Odahviing replied, the fire in his eyes brightening a little more.
"But to do this, we need help. Even with your talents," Morgan smiled as she affectionately petted his snout.
"Flattery from someone else would be pointless. But you have shown your worth and your strength. Ask me what you will, and I will do it."
Morgan was tempted to tease him about Lydia, but refrained from doing so. Instead, she retracted her hand and smiled brightly at him, making his eyes narrow. She loved teasing him by employing the 'soft look' that Lydia had always joked about.
"Jarl Elisif knows you and she trusts you as well…although when hearing about your singing a while back, she cannot stop giggling anytime someone mentions it. Anyway, could you travel to Solitude and land on the Blue Palace and ask her for a little help? Even a mage or two could come in handy."
"I will do as you ask. And what will you be doing in the meantime?" Odahviing asked her, watching the door open and now fixating a single eye on Aela and Jordis, who now stood side by side and were fiddling with a few stray buckles on their armour.
"We will be getting ready on the fort across the water. It isn't safe for us to stay here until you or anyone else returns."
"And how will you be getting the extra help Dovahkiin? I do not doubt your resolve, but I doubt even you could travel across Skyrim to gain extra warriors in the battle to come."
"You are right. I cannot fly around to get the help I will need. We could use birds to relay messages, but that takes time…and I think asking you to fly around with a claw full of written messages would be demeaning. So that's why I have another…'friend' to call upon."
Morgan tilted her neck back and summoned her thu'um once again.
"DUR….NEH….VIIR!"
The sickly looking dragon materialised on the other tower nearby and Morgan had to chuckle as he roared into the sky in delight. She then nodded to Odahviing, as he simply stared at the other dragon for a moment before dipping his head to her as if to acknowledge her thinking. Durnehviir had stopped roaring and was now watching Morgan intently.
"Thank you Qahnarrin, it is good to be back in Tamriel once again. And who is this youngling with you?"
"My name is Odahviing. And this youngling could flay you into the middle of the next era, Ancient One," Odahviing replied sourly.
"ENOUGH!" Morgan yelled now, her thu'um clearing a huge patch of clouds as she narrowed her eyes at the two dragons that were now watching her again after their display. "Honestly, are all boys this fucking bad?"
Serana giggled as the dragons looked at each other.
"Never mind, it was a rhetorical question," Morgan sighed. "We don't have time for petty power displays right now. And remember it was a girl that beat the pair of you. Odahviing, this is Durnehviir. He can be trusted."
"I will trust your judgement Dovahkiin," Odahviing said simply.
"What is your will Dovahkiin?" Durnehviir asked now.
"Go to High Hrothgar and ask the woman called Lydia to come back here with you. But before you come back, go to Whiterun and ask the Jarl there for help. Try not to injure or kill anyone there if you would, it is my home."
"It would be a honour to assist you," Durnehviir replied.
Morgan nodded to the both of them and ran her hands through her long hair, frowning in thought.
"Be swift as the wind. I have a feeling that we have ran out of time. I cannot explain it…I just feel it," Morgan muttered softly.
She smiled though as she felt Seranas comforting arms wrap around her shoulders and her smooth lips kiss the nape of her neck gently. Morgan looked at the two dragons that were still watching her and she made a shooing motion with her hands, a smile on her face. After all, it wasn't often that someone asked two dragons to help them out.
Odahviing and Durnehviir took to the skies at the same time before flying away as fast as Morgan had ever seen them fly, especially Odahviing. She knew he was considered a young dragon, and had the element of agility and endurance that even Alduin didn't have. But she had never seen him vanish out of sight so fast.
"You have a way with words darling," Serana purred into her ear.
"Shame it doesn't work on women," Morgan grinned as she leaned into Serana for a moment.
"It worked on me..."
"If you two are done fondling each other?" Aela cut in, her smile full of mischief.
"Surprised you two aren't finished," Morgan shot back, winking at Jordis, who blushed bright pink.
"She has a point though," Valerica now spoke up quietly, her eyes fixed on Serana. "We need to go before Harkon investigates why two dragons were perched on his castle."
"Mother is right," Serana said softly. "We need to go."
"And how do we get down…I am not a vampire you know," Jordis sniffed.
"I could offer you that," Serana winked at her, "although I doubt Aela would be pleased with the outcome."
"No, she is all mine,"Aela said as she put an arm round Jordis protectively, her smile dimming slightly.
"I wouldn't dream of doing that," Serana added.
Aela brightened up after that.
"We get down the way that Lydia loves to go up and down vertical walls," Morgan grinned.
"What way is that?" Jordis asked curiously, not seeing Seranas wicked smirk forming.
"You'll see," was all Morgan said.
"You're both crazy," Jordis muttered for what seemed like the fiftieth time.
Morgan laughed as she recalled the way Jordis had closed her eyes tightly as she clung onto Morgan around her front, arms and legs wrapped around her like her life depended on it.
"It was the safest way to get down," Morgan insisted with a playful grin.
Jordis groaned as she leaned over to empty her stomach into a bucket that they had found in the abandoned fort on the shore. Morgan knew she would recover from that little shock, and she did have Aela watching her ever moment after all…so she would be fine by the morning.
Morgan looked around at the fort and sighed as she remembered it had been this very fort where one of the Grey-Manes had been imprisoned by the Thalmor. She had carved her way through dozens of the bastards before she had found the prisoner, and he had gone into hiding afterwards, as had the Grey-Mane brother that had assisted her. No-one had used the ruins since, and Morgan knew it would be safe enough for them here until help came.
They stayed in the upper tower, and had lined the staircase that led up to them with bear traps, log traps and a few others like magical runes, just in case. The only way inside was the trap door, and that was currently being watched over by Serana and Valerica, who were outside and keeping watch.
"Thoughts?"
Morgan smiled as Aela sat down next to Jordis and ran her hand along her stomach gently, earning a few giggles from the smaller Nord woman.
"I keep having this feeling Aela. Like everything is coming to a close. I have had this feeling before, and it one case it saved my life."
"When was that?" Aela asked…she knew little about the woman that had saved Skyrim and wished to know more about this remarkable woman.
"When I had to leave Bruma after killing a few Thalmor…I felt it that morning when I had to leave the house to work. And then I felt it again after my mother appeared and cut down the Thalmor that had been about to kill me," Morgan whispered.
"You have a gut instinct Morgan. And it is best that you follow it. You know that trouble is coming yes? So when it happens, you should be ready for it."
Morgan sighed.
"I know Aela…but it is what this feeling means that worries me…FUCK, I don't know!"
Morgan smiled though as she felt both Jordis and Aela sit down next to her and lean against her. She could feel their hearts beating and the way their bodies provided so much heat was comforting to her. She didn't say anything and simply watched the fire pit burning.
Neither of the other two women said anything either. They knew that Morgan always worried about everyone…it was something that Aela knew of as 'Hero's Guilt'. It was a feeling that she should be prepared for any eventuality and be able to help every person she met. Aela knew it was nonsense, and if it were anyone else, she would say so. But because it was someone she had grown to like and respect, she said nothing.
"You still don't trust her, do you?"
Seranas question caused Valerica to turn her head sharply at her daughter, her eyes narrowed with slight fury at her words.
"I simply do not see the trust you place in her is warranted Serana. She has dragons for allies! You know what I told you a long time ago about the creatures. They have a passion for destruction and bloodshed. Morgan may be a vampire now and before that, a human…but she has the soul of a dragon Serana. She shares the same yearnings to fight."
Serana shook her head vigorously.
"You're wrong. Morgan isn't like that Mother. She cares about others, vampire or no. And the way that some dragons speak to her are respectful and in some cases envious. And she also happens to love me."
"Until she finds someone else," Valerica said primly.
"Fuck off Mother," Serana retorted sharply, smiling slightly when she noted her mothers cheeks flush a little from her blunt word use. "If she wanted someone else, she would have found someone else by now…or they would have found her, she is very attractive. Of course, they would have to get past me, and anyone who tries to take her away from me will get their heart ripped out."
Valerica didn't say a single word after that exchange and returned to watching the shoreline. She prayed that her daughter was correct in her trusting this newly turned vampire. She did admire the way she had taken care of the Keepers of the Soul Cairn, as well as the defeat of Durnehviir. But it was her motivations and interests in her daughter that was worrying her and not her fighting prowess. Valerica vowed to watch over her daughter even after her disgusting husband was taken care of. After all, she was the only remaining family member she still had that counted.
Seranas musings were different. She cared nothing for her mothers uncertainty. Nor did she care about Morgan having a dragon soul. All she saw in Morgan was a woman that loved her and would Shout anyone that dared harm her in any way. No, she was going to focus on what they would do next.
She looked out at the view and ran her fingers idly across the rough stonework.
Her father would know they were coming after hearing a few dragons roaring nearby…and they needed to be ready for him.
Lord Harkon laughed chillingly as he addressed the others in the main hall. It had been a long wait, but after much searching, he had found the answers to fulfilling the prophecy that he had been searching for, for so long. The body of the Moth Priest that had been so important to his latest triumph was now laid out on the table below…or rather, pieces of him were…his Death Hounds has finished the pathetic mortals screaming a few days previously.
"It is a glorious day indeed! The Tyranny of the Sun will soon be a reality! All I need is the blood of my traitorous daughter…or that bitch I used to call my wife, and everything will be accomplished. For BEHOLD!"
With a flourish, Harkon produced a golden bow from behind his back in plain view of everyone there, vampire and thrall alike. He sneered down at the remains of the Moth Priest again.
"Your lies did you no good in the end. My minions scoured the lands after what you told us, and after the my faithful servant Fura here infiltrated the College of Winterhold to get the information I needed about the Elder Scrolls, we were led to the very weapon you wished would never be in my hands….well, you FAILED!" Harkon roared before calming himself down and inspecting the weapon.
"A beautiful piece of craftsmanship. I dare say that Hestla would love to try and improve it somehow…and that may come true. But for now, you are to prepare. For the next time the sun sets, you are to venture out and…"
His words were cut off when the Watchman burst into the room and practically fell down the stairs in his haste. Harkon remained calm, although he had to wonder why he needed to rely on a thrall so clumsy so much…after all, he was in charge of their safety in the daylight hours. He didn't care about the way that the mans elbow was out of place after that fall, nor did he bother reprimanding Modhna after she lightly grabbed the Watchman's arm and laughed as he winced.
"Yes?" he said after a moment of chilling silence.
"My Lord…there were two dragons on the battlements not so long ago…"
Harkon raised an eyebrow.
"They cannot penetrate these walls, no matter their power. Why waste my time on such trivialities?" Harkon snarled now.
"I heard them mention…her."
"WHO?!" Harkon yelled now, completely out of patience.
"Dovahkiin."
Then the Watchman collapsed as the injury to his arm became too much to bear. Lord Harkon rolled his eyes and looked at Vingalmo.
"Ensure he is fit to return to duty as soon as he is awake. If what he says is true, then the Dragonborn has returned from wherever she had vanished to…and that means my daughter has too."
The vampires in the room scurried away as fast as they were able while Harkon watched the two Death Hounds rip into the corpse on the table once more. After so long, his dreams would come true. And as a bonus, his daughters blood would be the catalyst to a new era…an era where vampires would rule over the useless mortals and the filthy werewolves…
Harkon chuckled darkly as he left the hall, the sounds of breaking bones the only noise in the vicinity.
At long last….I never needed Lord Bals help. He may have granted me his gift…but that was where his 'help' ended. No, I will carve my own future, he thought with a small grin forming. Starting with that meddling Dragonborn…
Hehehehehe :D I am so evil with these cliffhangers and plot twists...Yep, Harkon already has Auriels Bow O_O I like to think that while Morgan and Serana were travelling and getting into all sorts of 'fun', Harkon would actually grow a brain (unlike the game) and DO something about the prophecy once more. I find that him waiting for Serana to come to him like you ened up doing in the game is a little tedious...and while many of you would have loved to see Morgan/Serana and anyone else tear some Falmer apart, I wanted to change direction away from the game...again ;)
Anyway, hope you liked it and Merry Christmas everyone...as I won't be able to get anything done by then...or will I... *evil grin* MightyMerlin/Godnamet, Daedric Prince of Cliffhangers (still love that nickname, thanks Anna ;D)
