DAENERYS STOOD NEXT TO HER SON AND SURVEYED THE CARNAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD. The red blood of humanity mixed with that of dead orcs, slain by Akaviri swords, axes and bows and the stench of the dead filled her nose. Limbs and heads littered the field and broken weapons lay scattered like ruined toys. The cries of the wounded carried to her ears and memories of Kings Landing flooded her mind and despite Daenerys's valor, the shame of that terrible day filled her with regret. But soon the victory shouts of the Nord's drowned out the groans of cries of the injured. Talion and Eddard joined the Nord's in the celebration, cheering and raising their swords high in the air. Daenerys saw in the distance her husband, Geralt, Brianna, Kellian and Jon Snow carrying a badly burned body. Several Imperial officers that she didn't recognize were also assisting in the effort. The former queen rushed over to her husband, careful not to step on the fallen lest she may cause more pain to a wounded fighter. When Daenerys asked who the soldier was, the Dragonborn looked at her and she could see the pain in her husband's eyes and his answer shocked her.
"General Tullius" the Dovahkiin could only manage. Daenerys knew that her husband and General Tullius were close, a brotherhood forged in war. His death was not only difficult to bear, but a great loss to the Imperial Legion.
"How did his body come to be like this" Daenerys asked. "It looks like he was struck with dragon fire!"
"Sauron did this. Tullius bravely faced him alone" Brianna answered her eyes bloodshot from the fighting and tears running down her face. "He suffered the same fate as Gil-galad when the Elven king was slain at the Battle of Dagorlad."
"Where is he to lay" Daenerys wanted to know.
"Queen Elisif has decreed that he will rest in the Grand Hall of the Blue Palace for a week. Tullius was a good friend to Skyrim and confidant to the queen" Kellian answered, he too openly weeping for the slain general.
"Who's in command of the Legion then" Jon wanted to know
"Most of the officers and troops in the Imperial Legion deployed in Skyrim is either dead or severely injured. There are few who can stand in a shield wall if Morgoth renews his attack. I guess that leaves me as the ranking officer" Brianna replied. "The Akaviri sustained very few casualties leaving them as the only viable fighting force in Skyrim."
"Do we know when Westeros arrives for Stark's troops would provide much needed reinforcements" Jon questioned.
"Two days. They are caught in the mountain passes. Deep snow is slowing their arrival. We must pray for better weather" Brianna told her husband as Eldarion and his Rangers rode up. "I fear Morgoth won't give us two days and my Blades are going to pay a heavy price."
"Brianna, my Rangers and I will scout the Enemy position and determine their intentions. I have written my father and Eomer requesting troops. With any hope, my pleas will be answered" the Gondorian prince told the Master of the Akaviri.
"Thank you Eldarion. Any help would be most welcome" she answered.
"Who fell" Eldarion asked looking at the broken body of Tullius.
"General Tullius" Brianna answered, her voice cracking.
"On behalf of my father and mother, you have our most sincere condolences" Eldarion told his former girlfriend, laying his hand over his heart.
"Thank you, prince. Though he was an Imperial, he fought and died like a Nord. May his soul find peace in Sovngarde" Brianna replied still weeping for her fallen friend.
The Rangers rode off searching for the Enemy army, following their trail careful not to be caught. The Dragonborn and his company laid the body of General Tullius in the Grand Hall of the Blue Palace. They cleaned his body and placed his sword on his chest with his hands folded over the weapon. The Dovahkiin used his Restoration magic to repair much of the burn damage to his body. Yet much of the beloved general's body was sullied beyond restoration, ruined by the power of Sauron poisoned by the forbidden magic of Mordor. Brianna knew that the Dark Lords needed to be stopped, but she worried about what the fallen Maiar had told her – we have great plans that you will come to understand in time. The Akaviri Master feared that those plans involved Eddard and she would have to keep a very close eye on him, lest he be seduced into service of the Enemy. Her brother's son was at a critical point in his training and Brianna was concerned he could end up like Miraak or much worse. For the blood of Melian, a Maiar flowed in her nephew's veins and the power of the Ainur was at his disposal. Little did Brianna know that Sauron was already hard at work, overthrowing the mind of the young Akaviri Knight and Dragonborn apprentice.
LATER THAT EVENING AS EDDARD MEDITATED, IMAGES FLOODED HIS MIND. As he steadied his breathing and cleared his mind, the vision became clearer. And what he saw frightened him and left him in disbelief. A close family friend had betrayed them and what she propositioned; Eddard could not allow to happen:
Eddard watched as Brelyna approach the Dragonborn, her eyes full of pain for she knew the answer to victory. She had long sought answers on how to defeat the Dark Lords and their ally the Witch-King. What she discovered brought her great anguish and sorrow. The Arch-Mage did not want to tell her closest friend and ally the ill news.
"Dragonborn, I have discovered the key to defeating Morgoth" Brelyna told the Dragonborn, her voice quaking.
"That is wonderful news Brelyna. We can finally go on the offensive for once" the Dragonborn replied, relieved to finally have some hope.
"No" Brelyna answered taking her friend's hand, tears running down her face. "It requires a sacrifice."
"I don't understand" his grandfather said confused.
"The astrologers foretold that the reign of the Enemy would only end when the blood of the firstborn son of the Dragonborn was spilled by the father" Brelyna answered choking on her words, knowing the potential reaction.
"Are you telling me, that in order for victory I have to sacrifice Kellian" the Dragonborn asked releasing the Elf's hand, taking a few steps backward. "I cannot kill my son!"
"It is the only way. Kellian is of the Ainur bloodline and that is why he has to die" Brelyna answered weeping knowing the torture her friend was going through. "Sacrifices must be made."
Eddard's eyes shot open, sweat falling off him like a heavy rain and his fists were balled into a fist. A solid crystal ball shattered like a poorly made toy as the discharge of magical power erupted into the room. He did not know whether the vision was from the past, present or future. The young Akaviri Knight only knew that his father's life was in danger and the Arch-Mage and his own grandfather was plotting his demise. If this was a vision of the future, it had to be prevented and the only way to stop it was by murdering Brelyna Maryon, Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold. However, Eddard knew he was no match for the mage, even with his Dragonborn and Akaviri training. Brelyna was a Master of the mystical arts and would easily overpower him. Eddard knew that the Blades were in possession of an item that would put them on equal terms, but it was under guard. The ring of power forged by the fallen Ranger turned Nazgul, Talion of Gondor. Daenerys had once borne the ring when it was given to her by Sauron at Kings Landing, saving her life when Jon tried to assassinate her. Eddard figured that if he could steal the ring and kill the Arch-Mage, the possible future he witnessed would not come to pass. Yet Eddard knew he would face the wrath of his cousin Talion and his relative would not spare his life once he learned the truth.
SAURON'S EYES FLARED YELLOW AND HE SMILED KNOWING THE BOY HAD FOOLISHLY BELIEVED THE FALSE VISION. The murder of the Arch-Mage would be the first step in the act of turning the grandson of the grandson of the Dragonborn. Eddard had the potential in him to surpass Melkor in terms of magical power. As the descendant of Queen Melian of Doriath, the Ainur bloodline flowed strongly in him. Sauron sensed it on the battlefield, the darkness in the youngest of the Dragonborn lineage. Like his Nordic kin, he enjoyed the fighting but he took pleasure in striking down his enemies. Brianna feared the darkness in her nephew and sought to kill that flame. But Sauron instead stoked his rage with the lie that by killing his father, Skyrim would be free from the rule of Mordor. Like a fire, he fanned the flames and gave him the thought of Talion's ring. The Akaviri had stupidly kept it and now it was going to have a new bearer, one whose blood was stronger than its Targaryen possessor. In reality, Sauron firmly believed that nothing was going to stop him and his Master. Melkor and the fallen Maiar were destined to rule Arda and all beings would bow and worship them as their Gods. If they refused to do so or resisted, they would be put to the sword.
Sauron knew the second part of the deception would be more difficult. After the slaying of the Arch-Mage, he would have to infiltrate Sky Haven and kill Kellian in front of his son as the Dovahkiin. Sauron had perfected the art of shapeshifting and could pose as any creature or being that walked on Arda whether it be Werewolf, Vampire, Elf, Human or even a dragon. But Sauron knew what his Master really wanted was the Dragonborn killed. But Sauron believed if the people of Tamriel lost faith in the power of their cherished demigod, then his purpose would be rendered impotent and they would come to despise and hate him. The same hatred that Ulfric Stormcloak felt for the last Dragonborn of Akatosh. And the fallen Maiar sought to fuel that anger, rage and hatred. And the killing of Brelyna Maryon would be the linchpin that would begin the fall of Skyrim.