THE NIGHT KING WAS SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF DAEDRA THAT REFUSED TO JOIN ULFRIC AND TOOK PLEASURE TURNING THEM FROM DAGON'S THRONE. After the Battle of Rivendell, he had only three hundred ninety-two White Walkers battle ready remaining. After Oblivion was subjugated, the Night King now had over ten thousand battle ready Daedra that were White Walkers. Ulfric was pleased that his Stormcloaks and Draugr's were now all armed with Daedric weapons and armor after the Night King had plundered Dagon's armory. The Night King knew that Ulfric didn't fully trust him and rightly so. He couldn't careless who occupied the throne of Tamriel, the Dragonborn, Melkor or Sauron – the Night King lusted for control of Westeros. And most of all he desired to strike down Arya Stark and her weakling brother. As soon as this affair in Tamriel was finished, he was taking his legions and striking Kings Landing. He knew this would anger both Sauron and Melkor, for Westeros was the last remaining land of ancient Arda, but Beleriand no longer belonged to the Maiar and Valar. To the victor go the spoils the Night King mused. Seeing Ulfric approach, he was broken from his reverie. The Dark Lord of Tamriel approached the throne and waved off the Daedra bowing before him and inwardly the Night King seethed.
"I am pleased that you have turned so many Daedra. Your numbers swell and we are ready for our assault" Ulfric announced.
"What's the target" the Night King asked.
"My spies have located a Silmaril. It is in the Psijic stronghold. We are going to attack it and take it."
"The Psijic's are extremely powerful mages my Lord. I caught of glimpse of their power at Rivendell" the Night King cautioned.
"That was a former Thalmor Justicair you encountered" Ulfric hissed his eyes turning yellow at mentioning the name Thalmor "and a Justicair has nowhere near the power of a Psijic. Only an Istari of Gandalf's power can defeat one, perhaps maybe Yennefer of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers. Yet with the legions of White Walkers, Draugrs and Stormcloaks at our disposal, the Psijics will fall."
The Night King knew that Ulfric hated Elves and given the chance he would start another war with the Aldermi Dominion for turning him into one of their agents when he was their prisoner. Thunder cracked across the planes of Oblivion as Ulfric turned and looked at the scores of turned Daedra.
"Assemble the army" the Dark Lord shouted raising his fist into the air. "We march at dawn! Let this world know that Ulfric Stormcloak, not Titus Mede is the ruler of Tamriel! After Tamriel falls, we march on Rohan, then Gondor" Ulfric continued his voice amplified by dark magic "this world is ours for the taking!" The Daedra roared their approval, their cries and shouts drowning out the thunder. Ulfric turned his attention back to the Night King.
"I know you have aims at seizing Westeros, but wait until Melkor and Sauron have returned. Beleriand's fate is theirs to decide" Ulfric told his deadliest servant.
"If I want to attack Westeros, I will do so my Lord" the Night King replied annoyed. "Westeros is mine" he snarled anger rising.
"You do not want to anger the Dark Lord's of old" Ulfric warned. "My mastery of magic is quaint next to theirs. Melkor and Sauron are power. Do not underestimate them" he answered calmly. "Kill the Stark girl and her pathetic brother if you want, but leave Beleriand alone until they make a decision."
"If they are so powerful, how was it that the Dragonborn defeated Sauron" the Night King countered.
"The Dragonborn is a demigod you fool given powers by Akatosh. He's even more powerful since he devoured the soul of Miraak making him nearly as strong as a Maiar. Yet the Dragonborn almost perished when he crossed my Master had Eru Iluvatar not interfered" Ulfric answered his patience wearing thin. "Do not question me, just follow my orders" Ulfric yelled while outstretching his arm.
The Night King felt his knees weaken and a searing pain in his mind as he realized that Ulfric was using a powerful wraith brand technique on him. It was a pain he had not experienced before. The wound he suffered at Rivendell hurt, but this was on a level unfathomable. He wanted to scream, but found himself unable to. His skull felt like it was being torn in two from the inside. The Night King knew he was completely at the mercy of the Dark Lord. As quickly as the pain began, it ended.
"That is but a taste of the power my Master Sauron and Melkor will unleash if you defy them" Ulfric said sitting on throne. Motioning with his hand "Rise and carry out your king's command. While you're on your way, Whiterun is in for a surprise."
On unsteady legs, the Night King rose turned and left the throne room leaving Ulfric to his own plots and aims. The Night King knew that he would need allies if he was break free of Ulfric and the Dark Lord's of Arda. But allies would be difficult to recruit for the Night King knew he lacked the strength to be a ring bearer.
THE DRAGONBORN, DAENERYS, JON, ARYA, KELLIAN AND BRAN ALL STARED IN AMAZEMENT AT THE SILMARIL IN THE BOX. The Dragonborn could feel its power and could see why the lost jewels of Feanor drove so many to madness. Brianna went on to describe the Psijic's were actually dedicated to stopping Morgoth and Sauron and the news that the Ring had been remade made the Dragonborn's stomach sick.
"Any Dark Lord that bears that ring is more powerful than any mage that walks this Earth. And the fact Ulfric plans to unite all evil with it is even more dangerous" Brianna finished her tale. "Papa, Melian visited me and said that not even you could defeat three Dark Lords at once. Only Talion can."
Before the Dragonborn could reply Daenerys stepped forward and Brianna could see the concern and anger in her eyes at the mention of her son. The Akaviri knew that Daenerys would do anything and fight anyone to defend her only son.
"What did Melion have to say about Talion Brianna? Be quick about your answer too" Daenerys said to her stepdaughter in a tone that was be careful of what you say.
"Only that Talion can defeat the three Dark Lords if they were to ever unite. She didn't say anything about Papa."
The Dragonborn stared into the fire and worried that perhaps the end of world had finally arrived and he was powerless to stop it. But he remembered the words that Yennefer had told him before she left. It was something he wouldn't forget and even left concerned Daenerys.
"Like Ciri, young Talion was born to a special destiny that he cannot escape. He must not flee from it, but must embrace his role when the Divines lead him on that path. Dovahkiin you must prepare him – train and guide him when he is to take his place as the Dragonborn. And most importantly, Ciri and Talion will face an enemy more dangerous than any army or Dark Lord. He must be ready Dovahkiin to face the enemy that is coming."
"Talion is barely five years old and barely begun training Brianna. He hasn't even felt the power of the Thu'um yet. I will not let some mystics dictate the future of my son" Daenerys said her voice rising. "If the Psijics think they can influence him, they risk their lives. Morgoth returning will be the least of their worries."
Bran laid a hand on Daenerys's shoulder "You have changed Daenerys. You are no longer the ruthless warrior that we all feared."
"The Dragonborn healed me and the love I have for him and my son is all that I need. I should never have tried for the Iron Throne. It almost cost me my life" Daenerys replied laying her head on her husband's shoulder. "But that doesn't mean I'm defenseless."
"She beat me in single combat my King" Jon spoke up.
Bran's eyes flew wide in shock "Excuse me? I find it hard to believe that Daenerys defeated the greatest swordsman in Westeros!"
"She was trained by the Akaviri, the Dragonborn and Geralt of Rivia" Jon answered
"Excuse me, but it's only a matter of time before Ulfric learns that a Silmaril has been found. He will come for the lost stone and he will come with the Night King and his army. We have to focus on that" Brianna cried. "And Talion must be ready. While papa teaches him the Thu'um, I can school him in the way of war."
Daenerys sighed "I can only shield him from harm for so long I guess."
"With your permission Daenerys, I would like to assist in his training too" Arya asked the former queen.
"And what would an assassin have to offer that an Akaviri Knight couldn't teach him" Daenerys questioned.
"Daenerys, the more teachers he has the better prepared he will be for whatever situation he finds himself in. I'm sure even Jon would like to help" Brianna suggested as the group heard screams from outside and Whiterun's alarm bell began ringing.
"What's going on" Bran said.
Before an answer could be given the word that the Dragonborn most dreaded and feared was shouted from one of the hold's guards.
"DRAGON" was heard in Dragonsreach.
Ancalagon the Black had come to Whiterun and death followed him.