VERY FEW SURVIVORS WERE FOUND IN THE AFTERMATH OF ANCALAGON'S ATTACK ON WHITERUN. Restoration mages from all over Skyrim arrived to assist in healing the wounded who were moved to the Temple of Kynareth. Most buildings had suffered damage to some extent, but strangely the temple was spared. The Dragonborn walked amongst the dead and the wind carried the cries of the burned, some who pleaded for anyone to end their pain. He felt someone gently tug at his leg and he looked at a half-naked woman whose clothes had been partially burned off. Her once beautiful Nord features now a charred ruin as the skin had been melted and hanging off in some places. The woman pleaded for water and the Dragonborn ran his hand over her broken body, using all the Restoration magic he could summon to ease her pain and repair the damage. The Dragonborn open his canteen and gave the woman a sip of cool water which she drank.

"Thank you" she said as she took another swig "have you seen my daughter Selah, Dragonborn? She was last seen in market place."

The Dragonborn remembered that no survivors were found in that area of Whiterun.

"I haven't been there yet, but I'll try to find her" he lied knowing that her daughter was most likely one of the victims.

"Avenge us Dragonborn. Only you can defeat the dragon."

The Dragonborn nodded and walked to what remained of his house. He stood among the ruins and shame and anger filled him. He was ashamed and angry that he did not defeat the Ancalagon. How was it that I was able to overthrow Alduin in Sovngarde, yet I can't defeat a drake of Middle-earth? Even after I consumed Miraak's soul I was no match for him. Doubt began to enter the Dovahkiin's mind and he felt a hand on his shoulder and found Jon in Breezehome.

"How many Jon" he asked.

"So far over three hundred dead and around thirty wounded to some degree. All badly burned." Sensing the mood of the Dragonborn, Jon continued "you did your best against that monster. There is no shame. You brought honor to your house."

"Honor doesn't bring back the dead" the Dovahkiin snapped. "I just helped an injured woman whose daughter was killed by that big bastard. And you know what I did, I lied and told her I would search for her knowing she was dead. How do I to tell her that her child perished and there is no body for her to bury?"

"My friend I don't have the answer to that. But perhaps giving her the smallest amount of hope will help ease her pain" Jon told the Dragonborn.

"It doesn't ease the guilt I feel that I failed. How do I slay a giant of that size?"

"With help from the Akaviri, your allies and your friends" Jon opened his mouth to continue, when excited voices were heard from outside. Jon and the Dovahkiin found a group of survivors digging in the rubble of The Drunken Huntsman. Brianna ran up and used her newfound telekinetic powers and lifted some of the rubble off and a young girl around ten emerged. She was covered in soot, but by some miracle was uninjured.

"Selah" a shout was heard from the gathering crowd.

"Mommy!"

Despite being half naked and still nursing barely healed burns, the woman ran to her daughter and embraced her. Tears flowing down their faces like a wild river. The Nord woman looked at Brianna and mouthed thank you to her. Brianna nodded and joined her father and Jon.

"Mommy, your naked and hurt" the Selah exclaimed.

"Doesn't matter honey. You're safe" the Nord continued to hold her daughter while weeping. Jon, Brianna and the Dovahkiin watched as Daenerys gave her a dress that she salvaged from the ruins of Breezehome.

"See Dragonborn. Even in this time there is a little room for hope" Jon said.

The Dragonborn nodded in agreement, his mood lifted a little at the girl surviving the dragon attack. But slowly rage filled him and he looked at his daughter.

"Where are we with finding Ulfric?"

"Last reports place him at Skuldafn with Ancalagon headed there. The Nightingales watched him open an Oblivion gate" Brianna answered.

"So Ulfric is in Oblivion" the Dragonborn growled. "What could he possibly gain in Oblivion" the Dragonborn questioned.

Jon had a terrible realization and before Brianna could answer he cut her off. "A limitless number of troops for the Night King. Imagine what he could do with daedra turned White Walkers."

"Then that would mean Ulfric would have assassinated Dagon and all the other princes" Brianna countered.

"Would it surprise you Brianna? He studied under the Dark Lord Sauron who betrayed his lover Shelob and turned her into a spider" the Dragonborn told his daughter. "That means he's looking for an Elder Scroll." The Dragonborn looked off towards Sky Haven Temple.

"What are you thinking" Jon asked.

"Brianna, speak to Master Delphine and summon the Akaviri Knights."

"What is it papa? What are you planning?"

"An assault on Oblivion itself."

ARYA FOUND KELLIAN NAPPING AGAINST THE TEMPLE OF KYNARETH AND GASPED AT THE BURNS ON HIS FACE. She had heard her friend had been injured, but didn't know to what extent. The scars on the left side of his face showed the courage he displayed when he faced Ancalagon, but the heat from the dragon fire did considerable damage. But it didn't matter to Arya, she still loved him. She had loved him since she first laid eyes on him. Arya didn't know if the fact that she plotted to kill his stepmother would eliminate any chance she would have with Kellian, but she hoped he would forgive her. He woke up and his blue eyes didn't register any malice.

"How are you feeling" she asked.

"Like I got cooked. My face is a mess" he answered.

"Still handsome to me" Arya said smiling.

"Huh" Kellian said confused. "Arya, look at my face . . ."

"Quiet" she said kissing him tenderly as Bran walked up.

"Arya, we need to speak" Bran told his sister.

"I'll be back Kellian. What is it brother?"

"We're leaving and returning to Westeros. You and Jon are joining me."

"But the fight is here" Arya protested.

"And when the fight comes to Westeros, I'm going to need every sword arm to defend the realm. From what you've told me, the Night King will most likely renew his assault."

"I'm not leaving Kellian and I'm pretty sure Jon won't leave Brianna's side. He's pretty smitten with her."

"Both of them can join us."

"They won't join us because they'll want to defend Skyrim and Tamriel."

"Arya, I don't want to argue. As king of Westeros it is my duty to defend it against the threat of the Night King and the White Walkers. Don't force me to have you arrested and dragged back."

"If Skyrim and Tamriel fall Bran, do you really believe that Westeros can hold against a resurgent Night King? Drogon is dead and Daenerys's supporters won't fight for you. Our best chance for victory is here in Skyrim. Let me and Jon help" Arya protested.

"Daenerys's supporters have left Westeros in droves and are coming to Skyrim. They believe that they can convince her to return. But her son is here and she won't leave. She has clearly made it known that she has no interest in the throne."

"Then let me and Jon help!"

"Fine. If you want to die stay here then. Regardless, I must return to Kings Landing. Good luck with Kellian" Bran snapped at his sister. "I had plans for you Arya. I hope you survive."

Arya watched her brother leave and wondered if she would ever see her sibling again. But as long as she was with Kellian, she would be happy. She could die happy knowing that she had found her mate. Arya hoped that both she and Kellian would survive the coming fight and sometime in the future have children of their own. Perhaps I can have a future that is peaceful instead of living in a sea of blood. Arya felt a pang of guilt while watching her brother walk off knowing that Talion would eventually sit on the throne of both Tamriel and Westeros. But that was the price of his stubbornness and if paying that price meant peace for her future, then Arya was willing to pay it.