AN: Yo! Guess who's almost done with their second semester? Le Moi! I'm very glad that it's nearly done, though I'm not looking forward to 15 hours a day of driving for work. Still, the pay's good. I won't have as much time to actually write (maybe), but I'll still be working on everything plot-wise where Demon-Kagetsuki left off.
I'm going to try to settle into a once-a-week posting so I can keep the quality good, but who knows? As a very wise man once said, "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime, doubly so."
Many thanks to all the followers, and favouriters, and even the silent readers too!
Characters and worlds belong to their respective owners (Tolkien and Bethesda.) Storyline up until about chapter 25 belongs to Demon-Kagetsuki as well. I made some adjustments to the song Brænna sings because to me the meter didn't fit before, but still...
After the summoning, Brænna hurried back to her room to pack for the continuation of the journey. She was frustrated having lost a lot of things on Vokun, though not only did she trust Odahviing to find the horse and its cargo (the four Dragon Priest masks she had packed had a very distinct magical signature), but her enchanted pouch had more than enough space to accommodate the extra luggage that she'd received from the Elves. She quickly began to organize the items she'd received into their proper spots, leaving the hardy travelling gear and her freshly-repaired armor on the top. She'd been glad to find it folded neatly on the bed, having been repaired excellently. Silently, she congratulated the Elves on their handiwork, and tested to make sure the stitches wouldn't break. As an experienced adventurer, it only took fifteen minutes to pack, the habits of quick field marches hard to lose even after centuries.
She rested her hands on her hips, studying her handiwork. As far as she could tell, the healing room was just as clean as it had been when she'd arrived, less than a week ago. As her gaze passed over the entrance to the bathing room an idea popped into her head. Somewhat guiltily, she entered, snatched a pair of the scented oil vials, and stuffed them deep inside her pouch. She wasn't sure when she'd be able to use them, considering it would be a waste to try in a lake or even in a small pond. Still, she didn't return them as she slipped on her travelling clothes, which consisted of her Nightingale boots, tough, but flexible, leather pants, a white undershirt with a dark blue tunic over the top, belted at the waist, and her travelling cloak, which she considered wearing before putting it back in the pack and taking out her Nightingale gloves and slipping them on.
I told Kíli that I would meet with him at their quarters… but as much as I like these Dwemer I get the distinct feeling we'll be seeing far too much of each other in the coming weeks, she thought. I've seen them pack, they won't be ready for a while yet.
She paused at the doorway, considering her options. The library, she thought finally. My alchemical ingredients are nearly out, and I should look up medicinal plants.
She opened the door slowly, glancing down both sides of the hall. She knew she was allowed to walk freely in Rivendell, but she didn't want her attire to tip anybody off that she and the Dwemer were making a hasty exit. Having avoided two guards and a few passersby, she finally made it to the massive Elven library. The smell of old books and musty tomes reached her as she walked inside, taking a deep breath. She'd been a collector of stories back at home, to the point where any unruined book she'd collected on her travels ended up on the shelves of Lakeview Manor or in the Arcanaeum. She laughed, remembering the expression on Urag Gro-Shub's face when she'd presented him with some of Tamriel's rarer books. Smiling, she fondly recalled the times the grumpy old Orsimer would shout at her that he didn't "Care that she was the Archmage," and that he'd "Cut her hands off" if he found she'd damaged one of his books.
It's a shame the Orcs here are so… violent, she thought, remembering Skyrim's followers of Malacath. Of course, there are some that attacked for no reason, but at least some of them made the effort to be respectable, she considered, humming softly.
She was walking among the shelves, looking for books on healing when she heard a clear, gentle voice speak.
"I believe this might be what you're searching for?"
Spinning around in surprise, she stared at the first person in centuries to sneak up on her, eyes wide. She was almost going to give the Elf a scolding, but the words caught in her throat the moment she laid eyes on the surprisingly stealthy Elf.
Though that night she'd seen Azura in all of her beauty and glory, she could swear that before her stood the physical form of Mara. The elf had long, radiant gold hair, a smile that could lift a soul out of Oblivion, and a dress so pure and white it could've rivalled the untouched snow at the Throat of the World. Her beauty was unlike any other, and Brænna could feel the sheer amount of power captured in the woman's slight form. As all thoughts fled her mind, she bowed low, falling to a knee in respect, thinking this might be either one of Middle-Earth's kind Daedra, or truly an incarnation of Mara, as she'd thought.
"Rise, child of Dragons, there is no need for such formality," the radiant Elf said.
Brænna's eyes only widened at the title she'd been called as she stood. Humbly, she said, "I don't wish to be disrespectful, my Lady, but… who are you? Are you one of the Divines? How do you know who, or rather, what, I am?"
"My name is Galadriel, and I am the Lady of Lórien. As for you, rot wundun gut fod gein grik ol hi los kiin," she answered. (Word travels far when one such as you is born.)
Brænna's jaw nearly dropped at the Lady's words. "Hi mindok Dovahzul?" (You speak Dovahzul?)
"Yes, among other tongues," she replied, handing Brænna an apothecary's book in Common. "What business does the Dovahkiin have in Middle-Earth?"
Brænna didn't know what it was about Galadriel, but she felt that if the Elf knew what she was, then it did no harm to know why she was there. "My Lady, I have been summoned here by Gandalf in order to assist a company of Dwemer in slaying the Dragon of the Lonely Mountain. Not only am I competent as a Dragon Slayer, my… heritage also helps," she replied.
Galadriel laughed at the understatement. "It certainly would. However, your presence here changes a great many things. Whether for better or worse, we must wait and see. I warn you, however, the power of the Dragons within you is not to be taken lightly," Galadriel said.
Her brows knitting in confusion, Brænna said, "I try my best to harness it as carefully as possible... " she said. "I have learned what to do and not do, and only use it if the situation is truly dire."
"That, is not what I mean. I know of how you try and manage the Dragons, and I commend you on your efforts so far, but I advise caution," she said with a tight smile and a strange look in her eyes. "Beneath the lesser Dovah, I feel a more malevolent power at play. I ask you to be vigilant on your journey, and offer this last piece of advice: A running river is best and easiest escaped by following the current, not fighting against it."
Brænna was about to ask what the Elf meant by the statement when Galadriel forestalled the questions with an upraised hand. "I will keep you from your studies no longer, as there is somewhere I must be. It was an honor to meet you, Dovahkiin, and I pray that we meet again in the future."
Flustered, Brænna bowed her head in response. "The honor is mine, Lady Galadriel. I… I hope that we meet again as well. Thank you for the book."
Brænna opened the book, seeing the illustrations when she heard the Lady sigh. "You remind me so much of your mother…"
Brænna nearly dropped the book as her head jerked upward, only to find that the Lady of Lórien had vanished, seemingly into thin air.
"What?" she whispered to herself in shock.
She frantically searched the library, searching for Galadriel but knew in the back of her mind that she wouldn't be found. Feeling faint, she set the book down at one of the many tables and fell into the chair, thoughts swirling at all that had been said, especially the last sentence that stuck in her mind.
I remind her of my mother? How? I'm from Tamriel. Elrond says my dreams are my memories so I know what my father looked like, so I'm at least half Bosmeri. Still… I searched the Imperial Census and Valenwood for records… and never found anything. Maybe… just maybe… and Elrond said I was the child of one of these high elves here...
She was deeply unsettled by the thought. All of her life, for so many centuries she had thought of herself as half Bosmer, and half Nord, with her light skin and hair.
She pounded her fist into the table in frustration, snarling, "Why can't I remember?"
"Miss? Are you all right?"
Startled, she glanced up to see the concerned face of the Elven librarian and quickly faked a smile. "Yes, yes. Sorry about that! I'll be leaving now," she said.
She stood, tucking the book into one of the many pockets in her Nightingale armor. "I'll return this… eventually," she whispered to herself.
She was walking down the steps towards the Dwemers' quarters when she saw Bilbo and Thorin listening intently to a conversation happening below.
"-I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing," Gandalf's voice floated up from below.
"Do you? That dragon has slept for 60 years," Elrond responded. "What would happen if your plan should fail? If you wake that beast?"
"Well, what if we succeed? If the dwarves take back the mountain, our defenses in the East would be strengthened! In addition, we have our Dragonslayer with us. Should the beast awaken, she can kill it before it does any harm."
Bilbo turned back to see both Brænna and Thorin listening in alongside him, a surprised look on his face. He turned back and continued listening as Elrond answered Gandalf.
"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf, even with the so-called Dragonslayer, who troubles me even now."
"It is also dangerous to do nothing!" Gandalf responded, exasperation edging his voice. "The throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright. What is it that you fear?"
"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family," Elrond said, before pausing. "His grandfather lost his mind, his father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall? Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or I to redraw the map of Middle-Earth," Elrond argued.
The two walked outside of the hearing range and into a pavilion. Glancing at Thorin, a sad and sympathetic expression on her face, she saw that Thorin's face was etched with shame and doubt.
"It would be best if we returned to the others," Thorin said to no one in particular before descending the stairs.
Bilbo and Brænna shared a look, both silently promising to not tell a word of what had been said there, before they followed Thorin down the stairs.
So. He's cursed as well, she thought. I wonder how bad it must be if the news of it spread to even here, she thought as she stepped off the last of the stairs.
"There they are!" Bofur said as he cooked a sausage over burning Elvish furniture. "We were wondering where you all had gone off to!"
Brænna answered, "Oh, of course I went to the library to brush up on the healing plants of this area.
"Bah, you didn't need to grab a book from the Elves to learn that!" Bofur said, checking his sausage. "Oin here is our healer and would have happily told you what you needed."
Gloin leaned back, puffing on his pipe as Brænna shrugged, sitting next to Fíli and Kíli, who glanced up at her, grins on their faces.
"Well, I already stole the book, and I'm not going to break in to put it back," she said.
Nori asked, "Hey, since we only have a few hours before leaving, why don't you play some songs to pass the time?"
"Oh, say it a bit louder, why don't you?" Dori grumbled, cuffing his brother on the back of the uijkl? head. "I don't think the guards down the hall heard you!"
Laughing, Brænna pulled her lute out of her pack, and Fíli asked, "How do you fit something that big in that tiny pack?"
She laughed, "It's enchanted to be able to fit anything that's put inside. The only requirement is that the weight is still there," she answered as she twanged a few of the strings, making sure the instrument was in tune. "Here's a good song with a story behind it!"
The Bannered Mare is a very good in
And So is the Dead Man's Drink,
But I know a wine, a wine, a wine
That's better when night's darker than ink!
It's whiter than Secunda
And Redder than Masser,
For good wines are named for the sky
When a priest cries "Cease"
When Inns like flowers increase
I say that the inn is a temple as well
And say to them, "Be at peace!"
A host may gather at the Ragged Flagon
To salve their souls from Sin,
But the light may be where two or three drink wine
In the Drunken Dragon Inn!
And the light may be where two or three drink wine
At the Drunken Dragon Inn!
She continued to play, and as they learned the words to one of the newest of Skyrim's drinking songs, they began to sing along, shouting the last few lines as well as any Barkeep's chorus. As the singing dissolved into tipsy laughter, she said, "They say that the Drunken Huntsman changed its name to the Drunken Dragon because they sold mead and wine so potent that it could get even a Dragon drunk. From the rumors I heard among the city guards, the stories are true!" she said, leaning in, the others creeping forward to hear the story. "Supposedly, a group of drunk adventurers stole a barrel of the stuff, and poured it all in a freshly-caught buck. The idiots dragged it into the food pile of the Dragon's nest while it was out, and as soon as it got back, the beast had swallowed it whole!"
They laughed as she struggled to continue the story through her own laughter. "Next thing they knew, the dragon started stumbling around, crashing into things and trying to fly."
"I don't mean to be rude, Miss," began Bombur after he managed to stop laughing himself, "But how do you know it's true, and not just a travellers tale?"
Smiling as if she were about to tell a huge secret, she waved him forward, whispering loudly enough for the entire company to hear: "Because I was one of the drunken idiots!"
For half a second, everything was quiet, and then the entire company exploded with laughter.
As the most beautiful dawn Brænna had ever seen crested the horizon, the Company walked up the path away from Rivendell, their sense of purpose yet again driving them forward.
"Be on your guard; We're about to step over the edge of the Wild," Thorin warned as he stepped off the trail to allow the rest of them to pass. "Balin, you know these paths. Lead on."
After a grunt of assent from Balin, the Dwemer moved forward, and Brænna was left at the back with Bilbo. She saw the Hobbit turn back toward Rivendell, a look of longing on his face.
"Master Baggins, I suggest you keep up," Thorin grunted before stepping in line.
Bilbo sighed as Brænna strode up to him. Confidently, she put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Cheer up Bilbo, the sooner this is done, the sooner you can come back."
As they turned the corner, Brænna saw the ridge of snowy mountains in their path. Just the thought of travelling through the biting cold of ice and snow made her pulse quicken, and brought a grin to her face. Though the Bosmer of Valenwood much preferred the jungle and savanna, she'd lived most of her life in Skyrim, and absolutely loved the fresh and clean scent of Winter.
She stepped forward, and grunted in pain, almost as if she'd been prodded with a hot poker. Apparently, the peaceful sensation that suffused Rivendell had a definite border, which she had just crossed.
Her blood pounded in her ears as the dragons, muffled though they had been by the enchantment, surged forward. They had sensed her moment of weakness at the barrier, and all together pounced. For a split second, her vision had turned a shade of crimson, and she'd had to struggle to stop herself from pushing Bilbo down the trail.
Baring her teeth at the ground in exasperation, she quickly got her feelings under control. Guess I forgot how things were before Rivendell, she thought to herself.
She was angry at herself for lowering her guard, angry that she'd forgotten about her curse, and angrier that she'd forgotten why she'd gone on this quest.
I am killing this Dovah to break the curse, she scolded herself. It doesn't matter who or what gets hurt as long as there is one fewer Dovah in the world,she lied.
She sighed, staring up the trail at the rest of the company, at her friends. She had gotten heavily attached, especially to a few members, and would do everything in her Akatosh-given power to keep them safe. Without meaning to, she glanced at Kíli, who was chatting animatedly with his brother. Catching her glance, he looked back, and with a cheeky smirk on his face, winked at her.
New goal. Kill the lizard and make sure everyone survives.
AN: Doubly sorry about the long wait and the short chapter, BUT y'all will have to get used to more sporadic updates. Hopefully not as sporadic as my Isekai series though. Yikes.
Anyways, question/poll/whatever for the reviewers: Lemons, yea or nay? Also pairings, like I said in the description, tell me who you want paired with whom, and whether or not Brænna is paired with Kili (as Kagetsuki did it) or someone else?
I'm glad that so many of you like it despite how bad it is, and like always, don't forget to review, favorite, and follow if you like it, and especially, review if you don't because that's how I know what to fix!