There isn't much reason for Destra and Serana to hang around Fort Dawnguard with Harkon dead. They say farewell to Isran, Gunmar, Sorine, and Celann and stay behind in Castle Volkihar. Serana still wants to tell Valerica she is free to leave the Soul Cairn, but they both need a few days to recuperate. In the meantime, Serana shows Destra her childhood home. She admits it used to be less morbid, but it still makes her mildly nostalgic.
After two days, Serana says she is ready. They make their way up to Valerica's laboratory, and thankfully the portal is still open. Destra isn't eager to return to the Cairn, but she reminds herself it's for Serana. Serana can see her apprehension and tells her that she doesn't have to come if she doesn't want to. This conversation should be relatively painless. Destra considers the offer for only a moment before shaking her head. She wants to be there, and she can handle it. Serana kisses her on the cheek before they step through.
The Soul Cairn is as drab as before, but they make it to the ruins quickly this time. The barrier has amazingly not been reconstituted. They walk through the doors to the courtyard and find Valerica at her alchemy table. She greets them as they approach. Serana tells her that Harkon is dead, as are the members of his court. Valerica's face shows no emotion for several moments before she bursts into laughter.
"Good riddance," she says. When she sees Serana's mixed expression, she adds, "I'm sorry it had to be that way for you, but you did the right thing."
Serana supposes that's the best she's going to get from her mother. She asks if Valerica plans to return now that Harkon is gone. The castle is empty, and her lab is mostly intact. Valerica says she will once she finishes her research here. Serana doesn't know what kind of research she could possibly be conducting here that she couldn't have already completed, but she knows better than to say so. Then it occurs to her that Valerica is stalling.
"What are you afraid of?" Serana asks her.
"Hm? Did you say something, dear?" Valerica says as she crushes one of the strange husks that grows around the Cairn. "I'm just about to extract the soul remnants from these… remains." Serana sighs.
"He's gone, Mother. I'm not trying to trick you."
"You could not trick me if you tried, Serana. You've always been a horrible liar," Valerica says with exaggerated disinterest. "But I know you're being honest. I'm simply busy."
"Couldn't you take some of these things with you and finish at home? If you need more, you have a portal in your laboratory."
Valerica ignores Serana and continues her ministrations. Destra steps forward.
"Valerica, the world is different, yes, but you'll adapt. Serana has. And you can just stay in your castle and-"
"I am not afraid of a changed world. How could I be after watching it change for centuries? Look at where I am now! Do you think this wasn't a change?" Valerica seathes as she gestures to the ruins around her. Her hand shakes slightly.
"Mother," Serana says as she approaches Valerica. Valerica takes a step back, but Serana takes her hand anyway. "I want you back in Nirn. I want you back in my life." Valerica sighs.
"I tried, you know. I tried my best to keep you safe as best I could," she says. Serana could swear her voice falters, just for a moment.
"I know, Mother."
Serana embraces her mother, and after a minute, Valerica returns it. She says she'll begin gathering her things. She wants to head back on her own, but she promises she will. Serana nods and hugs her again. Destra offers Valerica her hand, and they shake. She tells the elven woman to watch after her daughter once more. She isn't certain the nature of their relationship now that their task is complete, but she hopes Destra cares enough to see to her safety. Destra assures her that she will and takes Serana's hand. They say goodbye to Valerica and tell her they'll visit her soon. Valerica waves as they walk back toward the portal.
When they are back in the laboratory, Serana exhales slowly. Destra wraps her arms around the vampire.
"That honestly went better than I expected," Serana mumbles into the elf's neck.
"She's coming back, at least. You two will have plenty of time to work out the rest later," Destra says. Serana nods and pulls back a bit.
"Are you ready to find Lucia?" Destra stiffens.
"I… don't know. What if she thinks I've been ignoring her all this time? She has no way of knowing I didn't get her letter."
"Then imagine how happy she'll be when she learns you haven't been," Serana says.
"I suppose. I'll admit that I'm nervous."
"Really? You hide it so well," Serana teases. Destra smirks back. "I'll be with you. If - if you want, I mean. You may want to see her alone. Actually, now that I think about it, it might be awkward if I'm there." Destra snorts.
"Maybe I'll hold off on introducing her to my vampire lover immediately. But would you wait nearby just in case? I still want you to be there," she says.
"Of course. But it's going to be good," Serana says. Destra kisses her and thanks her when they break apart.
—
Serana notices that Destra is riding more slowly than normal. The pace only worsens the closer they get to Falkreath Hold. When Serana asks her about it, Destra says that she's enjoying the ride now that they aren't rushing to save the world. Serana rolls her eyes but doesn't argue. They pass through Falkreath proper, and Serana mentions that the Ancestor Glade isn't far from them. Destra says that they should stop by and see it. Serana agrees, but after they find Lucia.
The access road to the homestead is just past a cottage called Pinewatch. Destra had the joy of discovering the literal underground bandit hideout beneath the building some years back. She cleared it and collapsed the tunnels, but she still doesn't like that it's this close to her daughter's home. She ignores the thought for now and meanders onward. As they get closer, Destra and Serana can hear the sounds of wood chopping, animals braying, and a child giggling. Destra falters until Serana places a hand on her shoulder. Destra takes a deep breath, nods to Serana, and continues alone.
A tall Redguard man stands next to a chopping block wiping sweat from his brow. He is almost to resume his task when he sees Destra approach. His grip on his axe tightens ever so slightly.
"You there, can I help you?" the man says. Destra stops a few yards away from him.
"Uh, hello. I'm looking for someone, a woman. Her name is-"
"Thaik, dear, could you watch Maro for a-"
The woman stops when she sees the hooded figure. The toddler at her side tugs at her hand impatiently, and when she doesn't move, he runs to the Redguard man. He pushes the child behind him.
"Lucia, this woman said she's looking for someone named - actually, you didn't say," he says.
"Hello, Lucia." Destra turns to her daughter and lowers her hood. Lucia blanches.
"Mother?" A few moments pass before she and Destra run toward each other and embrace.
They cling to each other for several minutes before Destra feels a small tug at her cloak. They break apart, and Destra looks down to see the young boy looking between her and his mother with curious eyes. Lucia picks him up.
"Mother, this is Maro. He's your grandson," Lucia says. Maro gives his grandmother a shy wave before hiding in Lucia's shoulder. Destra chuckles.
"Hello there, Maro. My name is Destra," she says. Maro turns back to face her, a small smile on his face. Thaik joins his family. He holds his hand out to Destra, and they shake.
"Ma'am. I am Thaik, Lucia's husband," he says.
"It's a pleasure," Destra returns.
"You received my letter, then?" Lucia asks.
"No. The courier was killed."
"Then how… and how do you know that?"
"We… have much to discuss. But while we're making introductions, there's someone I'd like you to meet, if you are willing." Lucia nods.
Destra returns with Serana, and Thaik narrows his eyes at her. He steps in front of his wife and child.
"You are a vampire," he says.
"That didn't take long," Serana mumbles. Lucia places her hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Behave," she says to him. Then to Destra, "Mother?"
"Lucia, this is Serana. She is my-" Destra pauses, uncertain what she wants to say.
"Very close friend," Serana finishes. Destra shoots her a grateful smile. "I've heard so much about you."
"It's… nice to meet you," Lucia returns, a mix of emotions in her eyes. Thaik echoes the sentiment when Lucia introduces him once more.
"Pretty eyes," Maro chimes in. Serana smiles and tells him she likes his eyes too. The boy giggles and grins widely.
"I have so many questions," Lucia says to Destra. She hands Maro to Thaik and invites Destra and Serana inside.
"Wow," Lucia chuckles. "Still saving the world. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about that. But from vampires?" She gives Serana an appraising once-over.
"What can I say? It's a hobby," Destra says. "Although I can't take credit. Serana did most of it."
"Oh, hush," Serana says and grins at the elf. Destra winks back and takes one of her hands. Lucia flushes slightly and looks away.
"Serana, can we have a moment?" Destra says.
"Of course. I'll be outside," she says and steps out. Destra watches her go, and when she looks back, Lucia is half smirking, half scrutinising.
"How long has that been going on?" she says. Destra considers a witty deflection, but Lucia deserves to know.
"In earnest? A couple weeks," Destra answers. Lucia hums in thought. "You remember the wayshrines I mentioned on our way to get the bow?" Lucia nods. "One of the visions was of you. After our fight, I sort of… shadowed you, I guess. Watched you go from Whiterun to Rorikstead to the Legion."
"Wait, wait. You saw everything?" Lucia sputters, cheeks aflame.
"Not that," Destra laughs. "Anyway, I watched you in combat. Watched you help win the war. Watched you fall in love," Destra smiles. "I can't tell you how proud I am of the person you've become. Always been, actually. And I can't tell you how deeply remorseful I am for hurting you. It's always been my single greatest regret, and until I saw in my vision that you tried to contact me, I never thought I'd get a chance to tell you so. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm here to beg it of you anyway."
Lucia is quiet for a minute or two.
"I was so angry with you when I woke up. Not so much for using the Voice on me - I know that was an accident - but because you wouldn't listen to me. That you couldn't see I needed you as much as you needed me. But I understand better now,I think. Thaik and I have only been together a couple of years now, but I don't know what I would do without him. You and mom were together for thirty. I can't imagine what you must have felt like," Lucia says. She takes Destra's hands in her own.
"It's still no excuse for how I behaved."
"Maybe not, but I can at least justify it. And I've forgiven you." Lucia hugs her mother, and Destra clings back fiercely. When they break apart, she gives Destra an impish grin. "But the vampire. Serana. How did that happen?" Destra laughs.
"What? I may be old, but I've still got it," she quips. Lucia grimaces before laughing too.
"Well, I'm happy for you. I know mom would want you to be happy too." Destra considers telling Lucia about the wayshrine, but she decides against it. That one she keeps for herself.
The two talk a little longer before heading outside. They find Serana and Thaik chatting while Maro plays in the dirt nearby. They all smile when they see their respective loved ones. Thaik invites Destra and Serana to stay, much to Lucia's surprise. He quickly looks to her for permission but realises he needn't when he sees her smile. Maro grabs his grandmother's hand and tugs her away to examine an insect he found. And Destra follows, a true, unrestrained smile on her face.
Destra is fifty-six years old. She knows she won't live forever. Reuniting with her daughter and her family brings her to a sense of peace she has not known in decades.