IT TOOK ALL DAY TO SECURE AND PREPARE THE CITY FOR A SIEGE. Many of the people were panicking, as the sound of the beating war drums grew louder and louder. Brianna was frustrated that the rain, although it slowed the Enemy and gave her more time to shore up Solitude's defenses, concealed their approach. No dust would announce the Enemy's arrival. Brianna cursed her luck that they would barely have any reaction time. She had no doubt that the defenders could hold out against a human army, but secretly she worried that the troops under her command would lose their nerve and flee in the midst of the battle. Brianna ordered extra arrows to the walls and every weapon sent to the battlements – swords, axes, bows, daggers, knives. She counted herself fortunate that the Eldarion and several of his Rangers had volunteered to fight by her side. The had done reconnaissance against the Enemy and estimated that due to the heavy rain, they would arrive in morning and Nilfgaard was at the front of the column. Ciri had told her at Sky Haven, that the Nilfgaard knight Cahir was leading their armies and was searching for her. Brianna planned to make Cahir pay dearly for every inch of ground that they gained. The Master of the Blades was positive that the Enemy would break through their defenses and it would be in the city where Nilfgaard would regret their allegiance to Morgoth. She spotted Ciri speaking with Eddard and knew where to position the young Witcher.
"Ciri, I'm assigning you to be the personal guard of the queen. I need someone I can trust to defend her if they get through us" Brianna ordered.
Her cousin opened her mouth to protest, but Brianna raised her hand and cut her off. "I know it would seem wise to have you with us, but Ciri, the Queen will need a skilled fighter to defend her if we are overrun and who better than a Witcher to protect her."
Ciri was disappointed, but knew her cousin was right. And she knew that Cahir would be a fool if he engaged her in single combat. Ciri didn't know anyone alive who crossed swords with Brianna that survived. The Witcher knew that many Nilfgaardians were going to fall to Brianna's unique ebony katana. She could only hope that her cousin would have victory. She hugged Brianna and wished her luck in battle and prayed that she and her nephew would be survive.
Later that evening, Brianna inspected the troops under her command, wearing her custom ebony Akaviri armor. The cities eight hundred defenders would have to hold against forty-five thousand experienced battle-hardened troops. She could see the fear in their eyes and knew no speech would shake that fear. The only troops that had any air of confidence were the small Ranger and Blade contingent. She planned to use small units with Akaviri and Ranger commanders in the defense of the city with her in overall command. It was her hope that by using experienced knights, it would inspire and fill the defenders with confidence. She found her nephew running a whetstone against the blade of his katana.
"Eddard, get some sleep. I don't expect you'll be getting any over the next few days" she told her nephew.
"Can't sleep aunt. I don't know what's worse, waiting for the battle or not knowing the outcome" Eddard replied sheathing his sword.
"Gandalf once said 'it's the deep breath before the plunge.' Remember your training, everything I, your grandfather and Brelyna taught you. It will not only save your life, but your fellow Blades and Rangers" Brianna encouraged the seventeen-year-old. "And remember that your grandfather along with my husband lead ten thousand Blades a few miles to the north."
"Nilfgaard is going to regret that they joined with Morgoth" Eddard said. "A shame that many are going to fall to our weapons before they realize their mistake."
Brianna nodded in agreement and knew that dawn would bring an ocean of blood and she feared the reinforcements would not arrive in time and Skyrim would fall. If they failed to hold, Westeros, Middle-earth and the Northern Kingdoms would be covered in an unbreakable and unfathomable darkness.
BRIANNA COULD SEE THE OCEAN OF NILFGAARDIAN TROOPS READYING THEIR ASSAULT BY THEIR TORCHES. The weather was once again poor for it was snowing and a light rain fell. Her husband Jon Snow rarely talked about his battles, but in private he told her about Hardhome and Winterfell and how cold it was. She imagined that the current weather was similar to that of those battles. As Brianna scanned the horizon, she noticed that strangely not an orc was in sight and that concerned her. She worried that the Wereworm was once again digging a tunnel, trying to get behind their lines. But right now, the Akaviri Master was worried about the sea of Enemy troops preparing to attack. The Istari watched as two horses approached the gates under a flag of truce. She recognized one as the Witch-King and the other as a Nilfgaardian knight.
"My name is Cahir, Knight of Nilfgaard and I wish to discuss terms" Cahir spoke from below the battlement.
"Why should I discuss terms with one who allies themselves with the Enemy of all freedom loving people" Brianna sternly replied. "You do know who rides with you?"
"Surrender or die" the Witch-King hissed. "Those are your only choices."
"Did you say the same thing to Eowyn before the Shieldmaiden of Rohan struck you down" Brianna taunted laughing. "I will not take threats from you or your Masters. You will learn our resolve and feel the cold steel of our blades."
"Before this battle is over Istari, your neck will be beneath my boot begging for death" the Lord of the Nazgul snarled.
Cahir shook his head and spurred his horse back toward Nilfgaard's lines, the Witch-King following close behind. A few minutes later, the Enemy trebuchets and ballista's opened fire hurling dozens of exploding stones and lances. With a wave of her hand, Brianna sent the incoming missiles into the Nilfgaardian soldiers. Their screams of agony were carried on the wind. For several minutes the barrage continued and the Istari again and again flung the projectiles into the Enemy killing hundreds and wounding scores more. Brianna knew she would eventually tire, so the Istari ended the threat with massive bolts of lightning, destroying the siege weapons. Cheers erupted among her men; their morale boosted by the deaths of their enemy. Brianna heard loud war cries and swords crashing against shields and war drums signal the attack. She watched as what seemed as an endless wave of humanity charged Solitude's gate.
"Prepare to fire" she shouted, Eldarion repeating her order drawing his father's Edain sword. As Nilfgaard's troops came into range of their bows, Brianna readied her own arrow in her ebony bow. Eddard who stood by her side followed her lead.
"Release arrows" Brianna screamed and seconds later, hundreds of deadly bolts found their marks. The advancing Nilfgaardian's began falling over the bodies of their fallen comrades. Seeing the attack stall, the defenders rapidly fired three more volleys into Enemy and result was chaos. But still Nilfgaard moved forward, its crossbowmen providing cover fire for the troops carrying the siege ladders. The first of the Enemy combatants began scrambling up the ladders.
"Ladders! Swords! Swords" Eldarion shouted as he drove his blade through the chest of a Nilfgaardian men-at-arms. "Brianna, watch your right flank!"
Brianna watched as the city guard were hopelessly overpowered and cut down by the professional soldiers. Before she could say anything, Eddard charged into the fray his eyes full of rage. She watched as the young Nord slammed his fist into the jaw of one knight sending him spinning. The apprentice Dovahkiin then snapped the soldier's neck, parried an attack and drove his ebony dagger into the neck of another men-at-arms. Eddard then took a few steps backward and Brianna knew what the seventeen-year-old was about to do.
"I've got this aunt! FUS RO" the impact of the shout at such close range sent the Enemy troops sprawling. Rangers joined Eddard, killing the stunned Nilfgaardians. For several precious few seconds, there were no Enemy forces on the battlements leaving the defenders unmolested, but a massive explosion of magical power partially destroyed the gate and Brianna watched as Cahir and scores of soldiers enter the city. The knight killed several brave guards who valiantly tried to stop them. Brianna leaped off the ramparts and charged the Nilfgaard soldier.
CAHIR WATCHED THE AKAVIRI MASTER CHARGE HIM, THE MEN IN HIS COMPANY MET HER EXPECTING AN EASY VICTORY. To his shock, Cahir watched as the beautiful red haired Akaviri Istari cut down his best knights like a harvester through a wheat field. Cahier wielded two swords to Brianna's one. She parried his every attack and savagely countered his every assault. Never had Cahir faced such a deadly opponent. He never believed the stories about the Akaviri Master. He believed them now. As Brianna redirected one his swords into the ground, she kicked the weapon out of his hands. In a display of pure agility, Cahir watched as she backflipped as the knight slashed at her legs missing completely. The Nilfgaardian wished he had a knight like her in his legions. He raised his sword in salute and lowered his head in respect.
"Until today, I have not met my equal with a blade. I commend you" Cahir told Brianna as a crossbowman fired at her. Not even bothering to raise her hand, the bolt stopped midflight and she sent it flying back to the archer. The missile struck the crossbowman in the eye, killing him instantly. Cahir reengaged Brianna who sidestepped his attack and slammed her elbow into his chest knocking the wind out of him. Cahir fell to the ground and looked to his left and right and saw to his horror that not only was the enemy holding, but he was losing troops faster than they were entering Solitude. Cahir realized he had walked into a trap and Morgoth was using his men to probe the enemy strength. Only the Dragonborn had yet to reveal his master plan. Looking at one of his surviving commanders, he gave an order that he knew would displease the Dark Lords.
"Fall back! We need to regroup and we'll hit them again" Cahir ordered.
BRIANNA WATCHED AS NILFGAARD TROOPS RETREATED TOWARD THEIR LINES LEAVING THEIR DEAD AND WOUNDED. The initial fight lasted for little over an hour and the day was still young and she knew that any minute the enemy would resume the battle. Eldarion wiped the blood off his sword and sheathed it. Looking at his ex-girlfriend he reported the grim details.
"One hundred twelve dead, two hundred twenty-eight wounded. Forty-two of those can still fight" he said quietly. "We cannot hold against another assault. I advise you should evacuate the queen."
"How far is General Tullius from Solitude" she asked Adelaisa who was nursing a wound to her side.
"The Imperial Legions will be here by midday Master and if I know General Tullius, he'll counterattack immediately" Adelaisa answered.
"Thank you Adelaisa. Get that looked at immediately" Brianna ordered.
"It's fine Master. You need me" the Blade protested.
"Adelaisa you are my best scout. I cannot afford to lose you dying from an infection. Get the wound cleaned and tended to. Then rejoin the line."
"Yes Master" Adelaisa answered limping off to the healer.
"Eldarion, we cannot hold for two hours. My father is only a mile away . . ." a rider interrupted Brianna. It was an Imperial officer who dismounted and ran to her.
"What is it Legate" Brianna demanded. "Be quick for we may be under attack any minute."
"Master Brianna, General Tullius reports he is ready to join the battle" the officer told her.
"How is this possible Legate . . ."
"Legate Gavron Master. We marched all night and are itching for a fight. We are in position half a mile from Nilfgaard's troops. They do not know we are there. Their left flank is completely exposed" he reported.
"Bless you General Tullius. May the Valar grant you victory. By all mean counterattack. We need the relief Legate" Brianna cried. Looking at the Nilfgaardian lines Brianna continued "Cahir won't see you coming."
CAHIR KNEW HE COULDN'T SUSTAIN LOSSES ON THAT LEVEL AND WAS ANGRY THAT HIS MEN WERE NOTHING MORE THAN FODDER. The Witch-King was angry that the initial assault had failed and the majority of the attackers had been killed. The Nord's had fought like their ancestors who conquered Skyrim and left few survivors. The shock of the savagery of the Nord's left the Nilfgaardians shaken. Some began to openly question the wisdom of fighting the Nord's and began to fear an encounter with the full might of the Blades and the Dragonborn. Strangely, Morgoth and Sauron did not see failure, but an opportunity. They were very interested in the young Dragonborn for some reason. Cahir eaves dropped on the conversation.
"The boy called the Istari his aunt" Morgoth told Sauron "this suggests that he is descended from Melian."
"Well, the boy's aunt has more in common with Beren than Luthien. She is more warrior than Istari. Her nephew is of great interest. If he can be turned, we can ensure our rule on Arda" Sauron replied.
"How can he be turned" Morgoth asked.
"Through deception. I observed the boy is full of anger and I believe that he has the potential to surpass his Istari aunt" Sauron answered. "With the right motivation, he could be the key to our victory here in Tamriel."
"Figure out his weakness" Morgoth commanded.
"Yes my Lord" Sauron said his eyes flashing yellow.