AT MIDDAY, DAENERYS STRODE OUTSIDE THE BATTERED GATE CLAD IN LIGHT ARMOR, AN EBONY DAGGER ON HER HIP AND TALION'S SWORD SLUNG ACROSS HER BACK. The inhabitants of Windhelm, civilian and soldiers alike cheered as she walked to the battle circle. In the middle stood the Night King, his sword in one hand and Aeglos in the other. Daenerys could see the smirk on his face as he faced her – it was the same one that he bore when he slew Viserion at Winterfell. So many of her troops fell or were turned by the Night King that Daenerys feared that her son would share the same fate. That was something she could not allow. Daenerys entered the circle where the Night King awaited her. She looked at Ulfric who stood just outside the ring.
"So, the wife of the Dragonborn believes she can defeat my champion" Ulfric said laughing. "I have great plans for you Daenerys."
"Yes, yes turn me into one of the White Walkers and force my husband to kill me" she snapped while pulling the dagger out in her left and drawing her sword with her right. Laying the blade of her sword on her bicep, she adopted an aggressive posture and prepared for combat. The Night King took a similar position and the two slowly circled each other. He carefully looked at Daenerys's weapon and his smirk became a sinister smile. Silence fell among Ulfric's troops and the people of Windhelm as they anticipated the duel.
"Ah. Your blade is of Gondorian make. But it takes Valyrian steel or an enchanted weapon to survive the cold metal of a White Walker. You fool. You condemned yourself" the Night King taunted Daenerys.
"My sword was given to me by the Gravewalker" Daenerys calmly answered. "You know his name Ulfric. My son was named after him" she said with a smile as she heard the Dark Lord swear under his breath as the Night King attacked. The Night King believed his superior strength and weapons would prevail in the contest, but was shocked when Daenerys parried his assaults and savagely counterattacked. He was caught off guard by her speed and agility. The former queen of Westeros was using his strength against him. Within seconds the Night King realized she had received training outside of her former homeland. As the two broke apart, he acknowledged her skill.
"I see that your skill with a blade has increased" the Night King complimented her.
"Indeed. My husband, Master Delphine and Geralt of Rivia gave me quite the education" Daenerys replied.
"The Dragonborn, the Akaviri Master and a Witcher are good teachers. Pity I have to kill you" he answered renewing his assault with an overhand slash from his sword and a thrust with Aeglos. Daenerys parried the thrust with her dagger, blocked with her sword and counterattacked with an elbow strike to the Night King's solar plexus. She then delivered a side kick to his torso knocking him off balance. Daenerys finished her melee attack with a vicious spin kick to the head that sent the Night King to the ground. Cheers and roars erupted from Windhelm as they watched the Night King look at Daenerys, his face now a bloody mess. He quickly rose to his feet, angry at his humiliation and her. Never had he been knocked to the ground before. That spoke volumes of her skill with a weapon. The Night King then decided on another tactic.
"Perhaps I won't kill you. Perhaps I'll turn you into one of my Walkers and force you to turn your son" he taunted Daenerys and it got the response he wanted.
"Never" Daenerys screamed as she rushed the Night King, the savagery of her assault catching him off guard. He could see the unmistakable bloodlust in her eyes as he desperately fought off her attacks. The Night King feinted high and instead thrust at her thigh with Aeglos, only to be deflected by her dagger. She smashed his jaw with her fist and he back peddled feigning disorientation and Daenerys attempted to seize on the ruse, only to find herself lifted off the ground and her throat in the hand of the Night King. His iron grip slowly squeezing the life out of her as Daenerys's weapons dropped from her hands. Arya had once found herself in the very same position only she had a Valyrian dagger to defend herself. Daenerys was completely at the mercy of the Night King. Roars and shouts came from Ulfric's line as they anticipated the former queen's end. Cries of 'kill her' and 'turn her' came to her ears.
"Now Daenerys you'll serve the purpose my Lord intends you. This was never about the conquest of Windhelm or Skyrim. This was about the Witch-King of Angmar" the Night King told her.
Knowing the horrible truth, Daenerys dropped her elbow on his wrist breaking his grip. She quickly swept his legs out from underneath him and grabbing her sword, the Night King watched in horror as Daenerys cut off his left arm while rising to his feet. He screamed out in agony as hot blood splashed across her face. Not wanting to repeat being in his hands again, Daenerys kicked his knees out from under him and she grabbed his head from behind and leaned into ear.
"You shouldn't have threatened my son. Go enjoy a long stay with Sithis in the Void" she whispered while slowly driving her sword through the Night King's body. Daenerys violently ripped her weapon out and kicked a surprising still breathing Night King to the ground. Cheers and whistles erupted from Windhelm as the people approved of her victory. Looking up at Ulfric, Daenerys pointed her sword at the Dark Lord breathing hard.
"Honor our agreement Ulfric. Cease your attack and withdraw from Windhelm" Daenerys snarled while taking a few steps forward.
"But you haven't beaten my champion Daenerys" Ulfric answered his eyes turning yellow as he drew the Black Hand's sword.
"He's on the ground there you fool" Daenerys yelled.
"Nay, you provided me with the opportunity I've been looking for" Ulfric said picking up the wounded Night King by the throat. "You failed me for the last time and now you will become the vessel he needs."
Daenerys felt the air become oddly cold and thick and difficult to breath. The day seemed to turn darker despite it being cloudless as she heard Ulfric utter an incantation in the Black Speech of Mordor.
"Ghuramu Shirkush'agh Azgushu" (A sacrifice of blood and bone)
Daenerys watched in horror as Ulfric put the blade of the Black Hand against the Night King and slowly begin to cut his throat. Daenerys realized that the Ulfric was using the same spell that Sauron had used to bring back the Ranger Talion at Black Rock – only Ulfric was using the Night King to resurrect the Witch-King. Daenerys had heard tales of the Witch-King and even the Istari feared him. Although bested by Eowyn in single combat, he still nearly claimed the Shieldmaiden of Rohan's life.
"Zantya Apakurizak" (A bridge for you to follow)
Daenerys charged Ulfric, only to be caught in a telekinetic grip and she helplessly watched as Ulfric looked up to the sky and finished the incantation, the Night King's lifeless body falling to the ground. A massive pool of blood coming from his slit throat.
"Gul-n'anakhizak" (You will emerge a shadow)
Daenerys watched in terror as the Night King's body disappeared in a wall of flame to be replaced by a massive figure clad in black armor, draped in a black robe. He was every bit the Nazgul that the legends said he was and more. Girt with a massive sword and morning star, he filled Daenerys with terror and dread and the former queen knew she was no match for Ring-Wraith. Eowyn barely survived her duel with the Witch-King and had help in defeating him. What hope do I have, Daenerys thought to herself as she took a defensive stance.
"Here is my champion Daenerys. Now prepare to meet your fate" Ulfric said laughing.
"Nay Ulfric! Perhaps your champion wishes to face a worthier opponent" a deep husky male voice bellowed from crowd.
"Who interrupts this private matter" Ulfric demanded.
"The Dovahkiin" the Dragonborn answered entering the circle. A warmth of relief flooded over Daenerys at seeing her husband, clad in dragon armor and girt with Bolar's Oathblade and a Daedric war axe. Cheers and roars were heard across the wind from Windhelm as they saw Skyrim's champion, hero of Sovngarde and slayer of Alduin. The Witch-King seeing the Dragonborn for the first time, sized up the demigod quickly and knew the battle would not be easy.
"You may not be the same as mortal man, but you will die like one" the Witch-King told the Dragonborn.
"Peace Angmar" Ulfric told the Witch-King. "I may detest and even hate the Dragonborn, but I still respect him and his mastery of the Thu'um. He rid Skyrim of Alduin and his lieutenants. Do not underestimate the power of the Voice" Ulfric cautioned him giving him his ring.
"What do I have to fear from him? He has no knowledge of the ancient magic of Arda" the Witch-King said confidently.
"But I do" a gentler and more feminine voice answered as Brianna stood beside her father. Her brother joining her both clad in full Akaviri armor.
"I sense the bloodline of Queen Melian in you" the Witch-King answered. "Are you Dunedain?"
"Nay. The blood of that noble race doesn't flow in my veins" Brianna answered. "But I am the last servant of the Secret Fire. Trained by the Psijic's in the ways of the Istari."
"The Istari of Middle-earth were no match for my powers girl. What hope would you have? You would be wise to bend your knee to Ulfric and his lord Sauron" the Witch-King retorted.
"My quarrel is not with you" Brianna replied placing her hand on the hilt of her ebony katana. "My quarrel is with him" she hissed pointing at Ulfric. "Murderer of my mother and traitor of Skyrim."
Ulfric laughed at Brianna "I have twenty thousand troops surrounding Windhelm and you believe you can defeat me in combat? I was trained by Sauron in the ancient dark magic of Mordor, mastered the dark arts of the Mythic Dawn and you believe you can best me? I have no time for this" Ulfric told her while saying something in the Black Speech to the Witch-King. Oblivion gates began to open and Ulfric's army began to enter and the Witch-King followed. Ulfric stopped before an Oblivion gate and turned around and looked at the Dragonborn.
"You may have won this day Dragonborn, but be warned. I will return and when I return, Melkor and Sauron will be joining me" Ulfric said his eyes turning a shade of yellow that sent chills up Brianna's spine. "And I will learn the secrets of the Elder Scroll to bring my Master back!"
The Dragonborn remembered the Psijic's prophecy about his son and made a choice that he knew would determine young Talion's fate. Using the Whirlwind Sprint Shout, the Dragonborn ran headfirst into chaotic and fiery plains of Oblivion, Brianna following. Daenerys desperately tried to join the two, but the Oblivion Gate closed as she reached the entrance. She screamed in frustration and out of fear – afraid that she would never see her husband and stepdaughter alive again. Daenerys collapsed to her knees, tears flowing like a river down her cheeks as she waited in agony for their return.