DEPHINE LISTENED TO THE DRAGONBORN'S PROPOSAL AND THOUGHT HIM MAD. Sky Haven had received word of the attack on Whiterun and had seen Ancalagon fly towards Skuldafn. Alduin was larger than normal when the Dovahkiin struck him down, but the fire drake of Morgoth dwarfed him in size. And reports from the devastation to Whiterun proved that the first born of Akatosh was inferior to his power. Dephine feared that the dragon was unstoppable. But when Brianna, Kellian, Jon, Arya, Daenerys and the Dragonborn came to Sky Haven a few days after the attack and informed her of the planned assault on Oblivion, Delphine believed the Dovahkiin to be consumed with guilt over his failure to stop Ancalagon. And his plan to attack Oblivion directly with her Akaviri Knights seemed to be nothing short of rage
"Dragonborn" Delphine finally responded to Dovahkiin's proposition "I admire that you want to attack Ulfric directly, but an assault against a Dark Lord and the Night King is suicide. Two thousand Akaviri cannot break their lines. And we learned yesterday that the Night King sacked the Psijic's Sanctum with Daedric troops. There were no survivors."
"Then Brianna is the only battlemage capable of defending Tamriel" Jon spoke quietly. "I'm surprised that he slew the mages instead of turning them."
"My scouts report that they were searching for something" Delphine replied in a tone that was both accusatory questioning.
"The Psijic's were in possession of one of the lost stones of Feanor. I destroyed it when we faced Ancalagon" Brianna told her Temple Master.
"How is it possible that you destroyed one of the lost Silmarils? A jewel that harnessed that light of Valinor crafted in the First Age of Middle-earth" Delphine asked astonished. "No mortal can hold it without physical harm coming to them!"
"Because the blood of Maiar flows in her veins" the Dragonborn interjected. "She is a direct descendant of Queen Melian. But none of the matters right now. The other jarls have pledged their support. So far six thousand swords are camped a mile south of Solitude. Maius is speaking to the Emperor about Imperial troop support as well."
"Dragonborn, you're talking about waging war on the Daedric Lords. They will not let it go unpunished" Delphine angrily responded.
The Dovahkiin took a step forward "If Ulfric is in Oblivion, he's not a guest of Dagon's. He most likely assassinated him with the help of the Night King. How do you think he got those troops? Dagon didn't loan them out the generosity of his black heart."
"And what of Westeros? Will Bran Stark commit to defending Tamriel Jon" Delphine asked the Night Watch Commander.
Before Jon could answer, Arya spoke up "My brother will not. He left Skyrim and is returning home to prepare the defenses at Kings Landing. He expects the Night King to renew his assault any day."
Delphine grunted in annoyance. "Coward. It would have been better if Daenerys still sat on the throne of Westeros."
"No" Daenerys hissed in response. "I wanted to attack Middle-earth and Tamriel would have been my next target. My lust for power was insatiable and my appetite for death could not be quenched. Tyrion and Jon were right to plot against me. I needed to be stopped."
"Still Daenerys, I shouldn't have tried to kill you like a snake" Jon admitted a wash of shame coming over him "Twice."
"Enough. Delphine, recall the Akaviri and have them join the Nord encampment at Solitude. Maius will get the information on how to open a gate to the plains of Oblivion and within the week we'll engage Ulfric" the Dragonborn said his patience wearing thin.
"What of the dragon" Delphine asked.
"He bested me once. There will not be a second" the Dovahkiin snarled. "That dragon has earned a slow death."
"Many Akaviri Knights are not going to survive the assault. We can't even use Odahviing Dragonborn. We can't even use one of our most powerful assets" Delphine continued to protest. "I want to support your decision Dragonborn, I really do. But I don't want my Akaviri to die in an unwinnable battle."
"Tell that to the grieving families in Whiterun" the Dragonborn replied angrily. "Explain your reasons to the orphans who will never see their parents. Maybe speak to the parents who have only ash to bury for children Delphine. Perhaps you can explain to them why you refuse to fight."
"Master Delphine, much is risked in war. And you must remember your oath to the Dovahkiin" Daenerys added. "If you do not follow him, then you surely condemn Tamriel to the Ulfric and his slave the Night King. I will stand with my husband in Oblivion even if it leads to my death."
"You would risk leaving your son without his mother" Delphine questioned.
"Talion will grow up strong and powerful like his father and you will owe your allegiance to the Dragonborn Emperor" Daenerys answered the Akaviri Master.
"Are you saying the son of the Dragonborn is going to be the Emperor" Delphine said shocked.
"Yes. And king of Westeros as well."
"Then the Blades are yours to command Dragonborn" Delphine could only say.
Brianna could sense his father's frustration and his desire to avenge the deaths of so many at Whiterun. He was angry and guilty at his failure and wanted nothing more to prevent the deaths of more. Her stepmother told her that he nearly passed into shadow at the hands of Sauron and Brianna worried that now his quest for vengeance would blind him. Yet throughout his inner turmoil, she felt a calm in him. Daenerys provided that calm and Brianna hoped that her stepmother would lead him off the dark road of revenge. Perhaps, Melian would visit her father and give him a similar talk like the one she gave her. But that was just a forlorn hope for Brianna knew they would receive no help from the ancient ones or from Gondor. Although she and Eldarion had parted on good terms, she didn't believe the prince would be able to convince his father to send troops to fight someone else's war. Brianna came to the realization that she knew her father already came to – they were alone in this fight. And perhaps, Sovngarde awaited them.
LATER THAT EVENING JON APPROACHED BRIANNA LOOKING AT THE FULL MOON. Her red hair flowed loosely over her shoulders and Jon could barely breath as he admired her beauty. He had heard of Luthien and how beautiful she was and later met Queen Arwen briefly when Jon travelled to Minas Tirith. Yet the Elven Queen of Gondor did not compare to the woman under this moon lit night. Her toned muscled arms and stunning legs were enticing as the dress she wore revealed much to desire. He had spoken to the Dragonborn about pursuing a relationship with her and remembered what he told him:
"Relationships in Skyrim are based on deeds. You fought alongside Brianna against the Balrog and that impressed her. But you have a small problem Jon. Your loyalty to the Night Watch and Westeros. She won't abandon her duties as an Akaviri Knight and follow you to Westeros. One of you will to have to make a sacrifice" the Dovahkiin said handing him an object.
"What is it Jon" she asked breaking him out his thoughts.
"I wanted to speak with you" he answered, his voice quaking.
"I know what you want to speak to me about Jon. But I don't think now is the proper time" Brianna told him. "We're about to assault Oblivion against the Dark Lord of Tamriel and the Night King and we need to focus."
"I'm thinking of a future with you Brianna" Jon could only say. "I'm willing to leave Westeros and move here to be with you."
"I would like nothing more than to have a future with you too, but let us earn victory and then we could start a family Jon" she said grabbing his hand and kissing him. "But we need to win before we could plan a life together."
"Your father gave me this" and he heard Brianna gasp. "Not sure what it means . . ."
"That is an Amulet of Mara and in Skyrim it means a marriage proposal. It is the same one my father used when he approached my mother" Brianna said kissing Jon hard. "Looks like my brother isn't the only one entering in a union."
"Who is Kellian with" Jon asked confused.
"Silly, you didn't hear him and Arya a few nights ago? They were louder than giants walking across the plains of Skyrim!"
"Arya" Jon answered laughing shaking his head. "Should have known. I could tell she had feelings for him when he served under me."
"Enough about my brother and Arya. Let's tell my father the news and we can begin planning our future after we defeat Ulfric and the Night King" Brianna said kissing Jon again. Brianna hoped that her future would be one of peace and have children of her own with her fiancé. But in the Northern Kingdoms, Ciri left Kaer Morhen riding hard for the coast; for disturbing dreams told her that her friend Brianna was in danger and she needed help.