BRIANNA HAD BEEN GONE A MONTH WHEN KELLIAN, MAIUS, ADELAISA AND FIVE SURVIVING AKAVIRI KNIGHTS ARRIVED IN WHITERUN. News of Rivendell's fall and the resulting massacre reached the Dragonborn's earns weeks prior. Both he and Daenerys feared that Kellian had been slain by the Night King, but Jon worried that his friend had suffered a far worse fate. They were all very much relieved to see him pass through the gates and was received warmly. When word reached the emperor that the Night King had been resurrected by Ulfric, he feared that the fallen jarl intended to use the White Walkers against the Empire. When Skuldafn was assaulted by the Akaviri, they founded it abandoned and holds throughout Tamriel put their troops on alert.
The Dragonborn could see the anger, pain and frustration in his eldest son's eyes. Daenerys, Arya and Jon joined the Dovahkiin as Kellian described the slaughter at Rivendell and its subsequent sack. Jon felt nothing but pity for his friend when Kellian told how he was forced to kill his own Akaviri brothers and sisters. Yet Jon was intrigued when Kellian reported that a Daedric sword didn't break when it clashed against the Night King's own blade.
"Perhaps the ebony ore that Dawnbreaker is constructed of is what prevented its destruction" the Dragonborn suggested. "I could recommend that if we end up fighting legions of White Walkers, we switch to ebony weapons but that would be expensive."
"Or that it was forged by the Daedra Meridia. Dawnbreaker is a sword that was purposefully built to rid the world of the undead" Kellian countered.
"I'm sorry son that you had to endure that" the Dragonborn said while laying a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder.
"Maius saved my life. The Night King tried to turn me into one of his thralls and use me against you."
The Dragonborn looked at the Elf "Thank you Maius. You have my eternal gratitude."
"Kellian is my friend and I have come to view Skyrim as my home. Anyone who stands against Skyrim and the Akaviri is an enemy of mine" Maius said.
"Strong words for a former Thalmor Justiciar" Jon spoke up.
"There are some of us that believe that forcing the White Gold Concordant on the Empire is a transgression that is unforgivable. I am among those that believe that was a mistake and The Great War is a stain on the honor of my race" Maius replied his face falling. "But I have come to learn that I am descended of the Noldor and perhaps I can help restore the honor we lost."
"Saving my step son is a step in that direction" Daenerys offered with a smile.
"Where is Brianna" Kellian asked
"Your sister has gone to train with the Psijic's" Jon told the weary knight.
"Pardon me" Kellian said doing a double take.
"Your mother was a direct descendant of Queen Melian of Doriath and magic flowed strongly in her veins. Your sister and Jon fought a Balrog that attacked Whiterun and the dormant magic in her was awakened" the Dragonborn told him. "A Psijic monk came and offered to teach her how to use her powers and she accepted."
Maius who was taking a long drink of water, choked and his eyes opened wide at the recognition of the name. "Queen Melian was a Maiar" he said in disbelief. "Doriath was a fallen kingdom of the First Age in Arda where she was married to its king Thingol."
"But why would Brianna train to be a mage. She's the greatest swordsman in Tamriel. It doesn't make sense" Kellian cried.
"Because Ulfric has ascended to Dark Lord status" Arya told Maius and Kellian. "He has mastered the dark magic of Mordor and is currently studying the ways of the Mythic Dawn. He has many many servants which include the Night King, Draugr, former Stormcloaks and the drake Ancalagon the Black."
"How do you know this" Kellian asked.
"Because I was foolish enough to believe his lies when he told me he would help me kill Daenerys. Instead he was using me. Ulfric has plans on killing all Elves and seizing the throne of Tamriel."
Kellian lunged at the Stark girl drawing Dawnbreaker readying a killing stroke, but held his hand "Give me a reason not to strike you down where you stand" he snarled. "You were my friend Arya. Why" the Akaviri commander yelled demanding an answer.
"All I want is for my brother to have a peaceful reign and I feared that Daenerys would return and try to seize the throne from him. But it is clear that she has no interest in power anymore and I swore my allegiance to the future Dragonborn Emperor. Kellian you have to understand inside me there is a sea of shame for my actions. Please forgive me."
"My father has no designs on Westeros" Kellian answered quickly sheathing his sword, but still angry that Arya had plotted to murder his step mother.
"Not your father old friend" Arya said looking at young Talion who ran into the arms of his older brother. "The Psijic that took your sister spoke that young Talion is destined to become the Dragonborn Emperor and unite Westeros and Tamriel."
"Has Talion demonstrated an ability to use the Voice" Kellian asked.
"He begins training soon. Brianna was already teaching him the sword and axe, but since she left, I guess that leaves you" Daenerys told her step son.
"The Psijic's rarely leave their retreat. Why come to her" Maius asked a little confused.
"The only way for Brianna to defeat Ulfric is for her to learn the magic of the Istari and the Psijic's have access to the tomes of Gandalf, Radagast, Saruman and the others" the Dragonborn told the Elf.
"Didn't Saruman fall under the influence of the Dark Lord Sauron" Maius questioned. "Wouldn't it be foolish to study his writings?"
"The writings of Saruman after he fell under the sway of the Dark Lord are forbidden, but his training tomes are not restricted" the Dovahkiin answered. "The Psijic's were careful in their selection of tomes." Kellian blew out a long and tired sigh and took a drink of water and the Dragonborn could see his son was exhausted physically and mentally.
"Enough talk of war and death. Come inside by the fire. Let us speak as family and friend" the Dovahkiin said motioning toward Maius as well. "Daenerys has prepared a lovely meal of elk and salmon and there is plenty for all" looking back at his son, he added "Welcome home son."
ULFRIC AND THE NIGHT KING BEHEADED THE LAST DREMORA KYNREEVE AS THEY OPENED AN OBLIVION GATE AND PASSED THROUGH. Ulfric had learned how to open the gates and wanted to speak with Mehrunes Dagon. Dagon had secrets that Ulfric needed to learn for if he wanted the throne of Tamriel, he would need the secrets of the Elder Scroll. Sauron had learned those secrets from his master Melkor who had traded the prisoners of the Gondolin and the Noldor for them. As they approached Dagon's throne, the Daedric lord sat there with an amused expression which irritated Ulfric.
"Look how far the mighty have fallen" the Daedric lord said standing up. "Ulfric Stormcloak, former jarl of Windhelm now Dark Lord of Tamriel. And who accompanies him? None other than the Night King of Westeros. What is it that you want?"
"I need the secret of how to construct an Elder Scroll."
"I once struck a bargain with a Valar who only partially honored his end. I will not reveal the secret of the Elder Scroll again. Yet, I will reveal a secret that will shatter this world, but you must have something to trade for it."
"I do have something valuable to trade. Information" Ulfric answered. "What is this secret."
"Sauron's spirit was bound to the One Ring and why is it that he was able to return in physical form? The Elder Scroll brought him back because the Ring of Power was not totally destroyed."
"Wasn't Isildur's Bane cast into the fires of Mount Doom" the Night King asked.
"Part of that cursed ring survived and was recovered by my agents who were slain by Akaviri Knights. Those same knights fell victim to its seductive power and they killed each other fighting for control of it. Their bodies still lay in Mordor."
"So part of Sauron's ring survived. How does that help me" Ulfric asked annoyed at the Daedra.
"If the Ring is remade, then it can be used to unite all evil in the world. Think what you could do with an army of White Walkers, Daedra, Orcs, Nilfgaardians, Haradrim and Draugr under one banner" Dagon told Ulfric's whose eyes flared yellow in agreement at Dagon's suggestion. "So what information do have to trade that is worth what I told you?"
"The Dragonborn's young son Talion is destined to become the Dragonborn Emperor and unite Westeros under one rule."
"And how does this affect me" Dagon replied irritated. "This information has little value to me."
"Don't you know? The Dragonborn is the hidden heir to Uriel Septim whose son Martin overthrew you."