AFTER STEALING THE RING OF THE GRAVEWALKER, EDDARD RODE HARD FOR THE COLLEGE OF WINTERHOLD. The young Akaviri Knight could still hardly bring himself to believe his vision of the Arch-Mage plotting his father's murder. Kellian Dovahkiir was not gifted in magic or the Thu'um like his father the Dragonborn which left him vulnerable to attack. He was however one of the finest swordman in Tamriel, nearly besting the Night King in single combat. But all of his father's skills with a blade would be useless when confronted with a Master of magic and a Master of the Thu'um. Eddard hoped that by killing the Arch-Mage, would prevent the future he saw. A future where his grandfather sacrificed his firstborn son for victory. It was a future that the heir to the throne of Westeros refused to accept and would not allow to come to pass. As Eddard rode into school of magic, the students bowed out of respect for his lineage. His grandfather was a graduate and the former Arch-Mage, so Eddard entering the university would not be uncommon. Not only was Brianna training him in the ancient magic of Middle-earth, but he was the personal student of Brelyna. A few minutes later, he found himself in the Arch-Mage's quarters, Brelyna reading a tome seeking answers for victory.
"Eddard" Brelyna said hugging the young knight "what brings you to the College of Winterhold? Last I heard you were fighting alongside your aunt."
"The Blades broke the siege and the Imperial Legion thwarted the Nilfgaardian advance into Solitude. General Tullius was slain. Sauron's hand" Eddard answered.
"Aye, we heard the ill news. It grieved me for Tullius was a personal friend and strong supporter of the college. He will be sorely missed. Despite his Imperial blood, may his soul find its way into the feast hall of Sovngarde" Brelyna replied with genuine sincerity. "Now what can I do for you?"
Eddard knew he had to be careful and chose his next words wisely. "I had a troublesome dream and I don't know how to interpret it."
"Is this dream reoccurring" she asked.
"Nay, but it was more vivid than any dream I've had" Eddard responded.
"Come and place your hand over the Palantir. The Palantir will show me what you saw. I suspect what you experienced was not a dream, but a vision" the Arch-Mage told the seventeen-year-old Akaviri Knight.
As the images of the vision were seen in the Lost Seeing Stone, Brelyna was left in a state of utter disbelief. She was unaware of Eddard who slowly drew his dagger and hid it behind his back, preparing to deliver the killing stroke. But before he murdered his cousin's lover, he needed the truth.
"Is it true" Eddard asked sternly. "Do not lie to me."
"There is no such prophecy Eddard. It is true that your father is of the Ainur bloodline, a direct descendant of Queen Melian, a powerful Maiar from the First Age in Middle-earth's history. But I have not spoken to any astrologers. I do not believe in their false foresights" Brelyna told Eddard.
Unfortunately for Brelyna, the seed of doubt had already taken firm root in Eddard's mind and he did not believe the Dark Elf. Anger surged through him and Brelyna could see the rage and malice in the Akaviri Knight's eyes. She raised a defensive ward and lightning sparks danced on her fingertips as the Arch-Mage prepared to defend herself. But Brelyna tried to get through his hate and reason with the young human.
"Peace Eddard! What you saw was not real, it was a false vision planted by someone skilled in dark magic" Brelyna pleaded.
"If you meant peace, then why did you raise your defenses and summon destruction magic. I told you not to lie to me! If you truly cared for my family, you would not be plotting my father's murder" he snarled flames erupting in his free hand his eyes changing color.
Brelyna gasped as she witnessed her apprentice's eyes flare yellow, a sign he had been corrupted by the darkest of magic. Somehow, the grandson of the Dragonborn had been exposed to dark magic of Mordor and it had taken hold. And Brelyna knew that the vision that Eddard shared in the Palantir was planted either by Morgoth or Sauron. Her eyes drifted to his hand and saw the ring of the Bright Lord on his finger. The Arch-Mage then realized the true reason why Eddard had come to Winterhold. He had come to kill her, fearing that she intending to sacrifice his father. The Elf now understood that a new battle was being waged and that battle was for the soul of her lover's cousin. Brelyna lowered the ward and the lightning ceased on her fingertips.
"Eddard, believe me when I say I have no intention of harming your father. I love your family and soon hope to wed your cousin Talion. But I fear the vision you saw is of a more sinister and nefarious nature" Brelyna attempted to reason with the rage filled knight.
"The only detail that is sinister and nefarious is lie you're peddling. I cannot allow you to sacrifice my father like some sheep" Eddard yelled raising a defensive ward, charging. Brelyna struck him with a bolt of lightning hoping it would slow him down. Instead, the ring he bore amplified the ward he raised and the bolt bounced off harmlessly. The Elf then felt the dagger plunge into her belly and she looked and blade protruding from her body. Brelyna knew the wound was a mortal one for the Akaviri Knight had chosen his target well. Blood poured from her mouth and she collapsed to the floor, knowing her death was would happen in a few seconds. Eddard's eyes returned to their normal color and he looked at stricken Elf. He bent over and she touched his face.
"Eddard, you are allowing yourself to be corrupted by the forces of Mordor. Do let them turn you into something you're not" she told the heir to Stark coughing up blood. "And tell Talion I love him and I will wait for him in the next life" she said faintly as Brelyna passed.
Students and instructors hearing the fight, broke down the door and seeing their Arch-Mage on the floor in a pool of blood, slain, raised wards and prepared destruction magic. Anger surged through Eddard and he drew his sword, the Gravewalker's ring magnifying his strength and the blade erupted into white hot blue flames. His eyes turned yellow once again and charged into the mages, his mind blacking out. Eddard had intended to only kill Brelyna, but his bloodlust took over and after several minutes, most of the mages in the college were either dead or dying. Struck down by his sword or the power of his destruction magic. When the knight came to his senses, he realized his error and jumped on his horse and fled the college riding hard for Solitude. Eddard could not know that the day's events were about to get even worse.
KELLIAN SPOKE WITH HIS FATHER OVERLOOKING THE HARBOR AT NIGHT. Following their victory, the Dragonborn worried that the Morgoth was preparing to renew his attack on the hold. The four thousand Imperial Legionnaires had been absorbed into the Blades and were placed under his command. Eldarion had reported that the Enemy had made camp twelve miles from the river and were holding their position. Every hold in Skyrim was on alert, fearing that the Dark Lord's would assault them. But the Dragonborn believed that Morgoth would attack Solitude again, this time using Balrogs. It would be a fight worthy of song and remembrance and the Akaviri were sharpening their katana's, hoping to test their mettle against the new devilry. As they both saw Eddard ride toward them, Kellian felt an explosive sharp pain in his back as he was stabbed. Kellian looked at his father, could not believe the betrayal as he fell into the Dragonborn's arms.
"Why father? What offense have I committed? What treason warrants my death" Kellian asked as his life slipped away.
"Alas Kellian Dovahkiir, I am not the Dovahkiin, but Sauron the Great. Surely your sister told you I had the ability to shapeshift into any form" Sauron answered his eyes flaring yellow taking delight in the suffering of the Dragonborn's firstborn son. "Your father is in bed with his wife Daenerys and your son now belongs to Melkor. Your death ensures he will become my Master's servant for the line of the Ainur runs strongly in him, stronger than Brianna and Cirilla. As soon as Melkor is done teaching him, he will be unleashed on Arda and soon the Valar. He will be the instrument that causes the world to burn."
"My father the Dragonborn will avenge me and you and Morgoth will enjoy a long stay with Sithis in the Void" Kellian snapped spitting blood in Sauron's face defiant to his last breath. The fallen Maiar disappeared as Eddard ran to the body of his slain father. Eddard witnessed Sauron as the Dragonborn stab his son in the back, not even bothering to grant him a worthy death. He was angry that he was too late to stop his father's murder and the young Akaviri Knight drew his sword intending to kill his grandfather. But a voice from the tree line stopped his advance on Solitude. Looking to the forest, he saw the Dark Lord Sauron, his silver white hair flowing in the wind.
"What do you want Dark Lord" Eddard snarled, his rage consuming him.
"I saw what the Dragonborn did to your father. You have my Master's and mine's most sincere condolences" Sauron told the boy.
"Spare me your false sympathies snake" Eddard snarled wiping away tears "You do not care that my father was slain."
"True, but Melkor and I can grant you the power to avenge your father" Sauron tempted Eddard. "I see you wear the ring of my second deadliest servant. Does your aunt know you took it?"
Eddard's rage began to subside and began contemplating Sauron's offer. He remembered the cautionary tales that Brianna had told him and that Morgoth and Sauron were masters of deception. The Dark Lord's were also the most knowledgeable in the use of the forbidden black magic of Mordor. Millenia of understanding were divided between the fallen Vala and Maiar. Eddard knew that by accepting Sauron's offer he would not only be betraying his aunt, but his mother Arya. After the Dragonborn murdered his father he owed nothing to the demigod.
"Take my hand Eddard. Melkor and I will give you the power that your aunt fears" Sauron said extending his hand.
"Earlier today, I slew everyone in the College of Winterhold trying to prevent the Dovahkiin from sacrificing my father. I failed. I owe nothing to the Last Dragonborn of Akatosh. One they discover my actions they will come for me. Especially my cousin." Eddard replied.
"I understand young Akaviri. Melkor and I will teach you to become greater than Miraak and your grandfather for we were there at the beginning. We know the true nature of the Thu'um and its secrets. Would you like to be more powerful than those two?"
"Yes" Eddard answered dropping his katana and armor, laying them beside his fallen father.
"Follow me. When you have learned all that you can, not even the Dragonborn will stop you" Sauron replied.
IN THE MORNING, JON HEARD THE SCREAM OF HIS WIFE CARRY ON THE WIND AND RUSHED TO FIND HER. He found Brianna near the harbor, holding the body of her brother tears running down her face leaving him in stunned silence. Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned and saw the Dragonborn and Daenerys running toward their daughter, their sight blocked by his body. He stopped them, while Brianna cries of agony echoed through the valley only encouraged them to move forward.
"Jon, out of my way. My daughter is injured" the Dragonborn said to his friend trying to reach Brianna.
"She's not hurt. It's your son" Jon said quietly. "Brianna found his body this morning. And there is more ill news."