TRISS TOOK A LONG DRINK OF THE SPICED WINE THAT BRIANNA HANDED HER. Witnessing the two Dark Lords turn some of the most powerful wizards in the Northern Kingdoms into Balrogs frightened her. It was an experience that Triss knew that she would never forget. The sorceress finished her drink and set the goblet down, her hand shaking. Triss had survived the Battle of Sodden, but the magical power displayed by Morgoth truly terrified her. The history lessons her teachers had taught her as an apprentice about the first Dark Lord paled in comparison to seeing the fallen Valar in person. During training, the students would often have debates whether it was possible that Morgoth and Sauron could be redeemed. But seeing Morgoth and Sauron use dark magic to murder Ivo told Triss that they were beyond saving. Both beings were completely consumed by their hatred and practice of dark magic. Yennefer placed a hand on her friend who was struggling to keep her composure.
"You did the right thing Triss. Even though your primary mission had to be abandoned, knowing that Morgoth and Sauron created Balrogs will allow us to prepare for the coming fight" Yennefer said.
"How is that possible? Even Gandalf the Grey lost his life when he fought Durin's Bane in the Mines of Moria" Triss replied confused.
"Master Brianna, her husband and the Dragonborn fought and slew a Balrog that attacked Whiterun almost twenty years ago" Yennefer explained. "And we can consider ourselves lucky for these Balrogs are not Maiar, but mortals. They lack the same magical strength."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that Yennefer. What made Morgoth's army so powerful was that he imbued his strength into his orcs and servants. It can be assumed that he did the same with his new Balrogs. They are probably of equal power" Brianna countered.
"How do you know this" Triss asked.
"When I trained with the Psijics, I had access to Middle-earth's history. The Psijics were the descendants of the sons of Feanor, pledged to fight the evil of the Dark Lords" Brianna told Triss.
"If Nilfgaard and Morgoth are in league, the Northern Kingdoms will fall" Triss said to her friend.
"Morgoth is not attacking the Northern Kingdoms. Nilfgaard is joining him in his attack on Skyrim. He plans to kill my husband" Daenerys answered with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Nilfgaard agreed to this" Triss asked shocked at the news.
"They did" a male voice answered. He had the ears of an Elf, but the rugged looks of a Dunedain. "I personally know the Ranger captain who made the discovery."
"Triss, this is Eldarion. Son of Aragorn and prince of Gondor. He is also the commander of the Ranger contingent in Skyrim at Solitude" Brianna said. Eldarion, when did you get arrive? I would have thought that you would have followed your Rangers back to Gondor."
"I arrived a few minutes ago with intelligence. So far, the Enemy has not moved from Angband. Elboron reports that orcs have not left the Iron Mountains or the redoubt. Rohan has deployed to the passes and Rangers are patrolling the Anduin" Eldarion reported. "It is strange that the forces of Mordor have not advanced."
"Has your father mobilized the army and marched on Angband" Jon asked the young prince.
"Nay. He awaits the arrival of the Akaviri and hopes that Westeros will send troops" Eldarion answered.
"Unfortunately, the Blades will not be joining your father. Tell Aragorn that Morgoth intends to attack Skyrim. I intend to meet him wherever he lands" Brianna told her former beau.
"How sure are you of this" Eldarion wanted to know.
"The information came from a reliable source" Brianna answered looking at Ciri.
"Ah yes, the lion cub of Cintra who became a Witcher" Eldarion said. "Glad to have you and your father in the fight with us."
Ciri nodded in agreement and took a sip of wine. She knew that Yennefer had sent Triss to spy on Nilfgaard in her rightful home. Yennefer had wanted detailed troop strength and the number of sorcerers in Cintra for she believed the time was right for Cirilla to reclaim the throne. Unfortunately, the arrival of Morgoth and Sauron had changed those plans. And the Balrogs would decimate any significant force arrayed against Nilfgaard.
"Do you think your father and Rohan will still assault Angband with this new information" Jon asked Eldarion. "With the Iron Prison empty, it can be taken at will."
"My father and Eomer will make the decision based on what is in the best interest of Middle-earth. But with Angband vulnerable, militarily it would make sense to seize the fortress" Eldarion agreed. "But the real question is, can it be held. With a coalition of forces, the Enemy stronghold can be captured and occupied. Any number of Blades occupying Angband would make any hostile force think twice about invasion."
"Didn't stop the Night King from sacking Imladris" Brianna pointed out.
"The Akaviri stationed at Imladris while under your brother's command slew or severely maimed every White Walker that violated that sacred place. The Night King barely survived the wound your brother inflicted on him" Eldarion reminded Brianna.
"Yet, my brother was still forced to withdraw and Rivendell and is still being rebuilt. Have we heard from Westeros" Brianna asked Daenerys.
"Tyrion has not received a message from Bran. Arya wrote the king too, pressing how dire the situation is" Daenerys answered. "Perhaps your husband still has friends in the Night Watch who are willing to march with us."
"When I left the Night Watch and became a Blade, I burned every remaining bridge in Westeros. Marrying Brianna wasn't the issue, forsaking the wall forced me into permanent exile. It is a choice I do not regret" Jon said proudly.
"Then we can only pray that Bran agrees to commit troops. Tamriel and Middle-earth cannot hope to stand against six hundred thousand orcs, Balrogs, Ancalagon and Nilfgaard" Eldarion replied. Turning to the Dragonborn "I will tell my father this unfortunate news old friend."
"Thank you Eldarion. Please give your mother and sisters our best wishes" the Dragonborn told the prince. "Also, if you spot a dragon flying over your shores do not worry. I sent Odahviing to look for the coming invasion."
"Understood. Where is Talion? I wished to speak with him before I left" Eldarion asked.
"You can probably find my son down by the river with Brelyna" Daenerys answered with a smile.
"I also need to speak with you privately Dovahkiin a little later" Eldarion told the Dragonborn.
BRAN STARK STARED OUT THE WINDOW OVERLOOKING KINGS LANDING. This was the first serious threat to his throne during his reign. Tyrion had reported the situation to him and a day later he received a similar letter from Arya about the threat posed by Morgoth and Sauron. Both Tyrion and Arya stressed the need for Westeros to commit troops to the defense of Middle-earth and Tamriel. But Bran worried that deploying the army would leave Westeros open to attack. The king knew that Mordor wasn't the only enemy that lusted after Westeros. Bran was surrounded by so called friends that desired his throne and if it wasn't for the army, he would have been deposed long ago. Their father learned that harsh lesson long ago. What Bran didn't know, was that his enemies feared Arya's retribution having been trained as an assassin and an Akaviri Knight. Looking at Falus, his advisor, he asked for his thoughts.
"My Lord, we must look to our own borders. We know that Morgoth looks to seize Westeros, for this realm is the last remanent of Beleriand. But I also see an opportunity to rid you of a potential problem" Falus told the king.
"Daenerys has not made a single move against my throne. She is content to play mother, wife and hero of Windhelm. I will not make an enemy of the Dragonborn. Besides, her supporters would rise up and overthrow me" Bran replied.
"Daenerys is not your problem. Many in the Night Watch were unhappy when you 'pardoned' Jon and sent him to the wall" Falus responded. "They were angered even more at his betrayal when he became a Blade. There are rumors that the Night Watch is plotting your removal."
"If I send troops to fight alongside Jon, the Night Watch will rise against me. Unless I send my best assassins to kill Jon" Bran said to himself.
"If your assassins are dressed as common soldiers, during the battle they can slay him at will. Perhaps he can be felled with an arrow or a dagger to the back amid the chaos" Falus agreed.
"But if his wife learns the truth, then we would have to face the wrath of an Istari with the training of an Akaviri. No, we will not make a move against Jon. He chose exile. And if I don't deploy troops, then I sentence my sister and nephew to death" Bran said. "We will support Tamriel and Middle-earth in the fight against the Dark Lords. The coming battle will cull the traitors amid the Night Watch."
Bran worried for his sister and nephew. He had believed the years of war and conflict were over, but the ancient enemies of Arda had risen. He instructed Falus to begin drafting orders for half of the army to sail to Tamriel and link with the Imperial Army. From Solitude, they would sail for the shores of Middle-earth. Bran also began writing two personal letters, one to the Dragonborn and one to his sister. It didn't sit well with the king that his men would be dying in a foreign land against a more powerful foe. The first Dark Lord's magic was said to be beyond measure and Bran knew that his troops would pay a heavy price in blood. But if that blood kept the orcs out of Westeros, then Bran was willing to pay those wages. He could only hope that the war would be brief, but secretly he believed that the conflict would probably last years if not decades and the cost would be unbearable. And his people would blame him for not earning victory. All hope lay in the distant battlefield and with the Dragonborn and Aragorn. If those two could not stop the Dark Lords from prevailing, Bran knew the entire world would be covered in darkness.
ELDARION FOUND TALION WITH BRELYNA BY THE RIVER BELOW SKY HAVEN TEMPLE. After taking command of the Ranger contingent in Skyrim, the young prince of Gondor had come to love the land. Its beauty rivaled that of the Misty Mountains and the rolling hills of the Shire. It was a pity that the inhabitants of Skyrim were locked in an almost constant state of conflict. On more than one occasion, Eldarion and his Rangers were forced to slay bandits, thieves and mercenaries that ambushed them high up in the mountain roads. Eldarion hoped that one day, Skyrim would find a long peace where the people would prosper and not be forced into a life of crime. As he approached the pair, Eldarion was surprised to see the elf lean in and kiss the young Dragonborn. Brelyna looked at Eldarion and said something in her lover's ear and the Dragonborn looked at Eldarion and grinned.
"Been awhile Eldarion. What brings you to Sky Haven" Talion asked.
"I had some intelligence that I needed to bring here, but my father had an idea that seems wise" Eldarion answered.
"And that is" Brelyna wanted to know.
"My father suggested that a Dragonborn be stationed in all the allied lands – Tamriel, Middle-earth and Westeros" Eldarion replied.
"What did my father say" Talion questioned.
"Didn't speak to him about it yet."
"Not sure how my father would react, but it is a wise idea. A Dragonborn would be a powerful deterrent" Talion responded.
"Maybe after the war" Eldarion said.