So, I'm back. This break did not last as long as I expected, but oh well. I just can't stop writing this. I just really want to continue the story, because my head just keeps circling around the ideas I have for it. Also i would have started last week, but i was on vacation and there was no internet :) I do want to say a few thing before I start:

First off, I'd like to explain a few things that I will do different now.

It bugged me in the previous Arc that I described the trip from Fort Dawnguard to Volkihar Castle as a three-day trip. I looked it up again, and I realized that this was indeed slightly ridiculous. From now on I will make the world a much larger place, and thus the cities also larger. From now on the distances will be: (As the dragon flies, not as the Thalmor walk)

Nort to south (like Dawnstar to Falkreath): 300(ish) miles

East to West (like Markarth to Riften): 600(ish) miles.

So the trip from Fort Dawnguard to Castle Volkihar would take about a month(ish): (walking 5 miles/hour… 6 hours a day)do the math :) On horseback it would take less of course, since horses have much more stamina and endurance. It is still not as big as the world should be, but for me it is a bit difficult to go from a trip that takes like three hours in-game, to a trip that will take a full month. With these distances i can have realistic-ish distances, and yet keep everything compact enough.

I will try to make any battles more impactful and the size of the armies will also be bigger. Still certain factions, like the Companions, will not be increased by a truckload. We will still have the standard characters in the Companions, plus maybe three or four more. The College of Winterhold will be a different story, but we'll get to that when the time comes.

Secondly; since this break was shorter than I thought, I will probably take breaks between Arcs. Just to give myself some time to figure stuff out a bit more.

Blood Moon Rising part 1

-Lakeview Manor; Falkreath-

Serana woke up from a long and peaceful sleep. When she opened her eyes she noticed that the sun was already up, but that it was not nearly mid-day. She stroked a lock of hair from her eye and turned around only to see that she was alone.

She was in a large, wooden bedroom with a large bed and small nightstands on either side. The room was twelve by twelve metres, and a perfect square. A desk was pushed against one of the walls opposite the bed, next to a large double door. The rest of the room was filled with a few wardrobes and closets for clothing, several bookcases filled with dozens of books and chairs surrounding a few small tables, and two extra, very comfortable chairs stood in front of a fireplace. A few large and beautiful rugs with red and green were on the floor, while two chandeliers hung from the large wooden beams in the ceiling. On either side of the bed, above the nightstands were large, stained glass windows from which golden light fell giving the room a warm feeling.

The bed itself was a true work of art. The soft feather matrass was a huge relief from the hard surfaces that Serana had slept on for most of her life, and the soft covers were warm against her pale and cold Vampire skin. The headboard was made from carved wood and leaves and imagery were visible in it. Even the legs of the bed were from carved wood. The bed was extraordinary large, being almost three metres long and two metres wide, and Serana had joked that she could get lost under the covers.

As Serana stood up she grabbed a long night gown from the closest wardrobe and put it on. For a moment she focused her senses and knew where to go. She left the room and walked down the hallway to the large staircase that led to a large hall. The house consisted almost entirely out of wood, except for the main floor and a few fireplaces spread out across the house. Also both basements were made from stone, but with wooden supports. The stone floor was mostly covered with rugs and tapestries, so Serana did not feel the cold stone against her bare feet. She heard some rummaging in the kitchen, but ignored it as she knew it was not where she wanted to go. She knew it was Tarrion's housecarl Rayya, making a late breakfast, something that was almost standard for the last few weeks. She walked past a large dining room and pushed a door open that lead outside.

She saw him from a distance, although the sun blinded her. She knew that by staying in the shadows, even in mid-day, she wouldn't feel the pain of the sun. She stayed inside the house, standing in the door opening so that the sun wouldn't touch her.

She saw that he was wearing his old hunting trousers, and a pair of simple yet sturdy boots. His entire upper body was exposed, which was not strange in this weather, and in the warmth of the sun she saw how he sweated as he lunged the axe down and split a large piece of wood in two. She had seen him chop wood before, and every time she would just look at him. His muscles flexed with every strike, his arms almost three times as thick as hers, his massive chest going up and down as he panted and his strong hands wielding the axe with strength and skill. Serana found herself growing warmer every time she saw him like this, with sweat glistening on his body. She saw the massive scars on his back and arms from the fight against her father. They still covered his entire back. Huge lacerations that were healed with extreme effort had left massive lines over his back and chest, and his arms were covered with more scars than ever.

She wanted to walk toward him. To hug him and stand there in the warmth of the sun, yet she knew it would not feel pleasant for her. The sun would burn her skin and ultimately scorch it black, and her eyes would be blinded. She knew that it would hurt her, and yet the desire to walk into the mid-day sun just to hold him was almost overwhelming. Yet the sun stood between her and him, almost as a physical barrier holding her back, and she turned around.

It had been three months since her father Harkon was defeated by them. Ever since that day, she had not left his side, and he had not left hers. The only time they had been separate was when he died, and there had been only a few moments when she took her eyes off him since then, a part of her being afraid that something would happen to him. But the days turned to weeks and they had been quiet and peaceful ever since. Serana had turned her back on Volkihar Castle and her old life. She left it all behind, and moved in with Tarrion. They now lived near Lake Illinalta in Falkreath. The large mansion that Tarrion had built for himself here proved to be an amazing and warm home. Serana had found herself change, and for the first time in hundreds of years she felt alive.

And yet there was still a part of her that reminded her of her tragic past. Something that, every day, reminded her that she was not really 'alive'. Something that reminded her that there was something keeping her and Tarrion apart, and Serana knew full well what that was. Despite everything, she was still a Vampire. A creature of the night, one that feeds on the living, one that is by nature dead, one that does not know the feel and touch of mortals. The living.

And over the last few months she had found herself to be in pain because of it. Her life had changed, and yet she had not. She still felt the cold touch of her own skin, the burning light of the sun, the stares she got from others. She knew well that Tarrion did not care in any way that she was a Vampire, and she was grateful for that. But she slowly started to care herself. She felt that there was some part of her that did not belong there… in a warm house… with Tarrion.

Over the last few months she started to realize something. During her entire life, the whole time that she was a Vampire, she knew that it was expected of her, and she never knew otherwise. It had been a part of her for years beyond count, and she had never regretted what she was…. But now she started to question that. She started to realize that she had a choice, a chance to live life on her own terms. A life that she wanted to live, not ruled by others, not controlled by her father or her mother… a life of her own… a life with Tarrion.

After another heavy strike, another piece of wood split in two. The ground was littered with splinters and on his left, Tarrion saw a large pile of logs fit for the hearth. He was about to grab another piece when he stopped. He felt that he was being watched, and he turned around. He saw no-one, but a part of him thought he saw someone leaving the doorway that lead to the house. He lowered his axe and looked up for a few moments.

The last few months had been amazing. There were no troubles in Skyrim anymore and he started to think that the land might finally know peace, although a small voice in his head said that that was impossible. That there would always be trouble for the Dragonborn to solve, always there would be something for him to do. His responsibilities as Dragonborn, Archmage, Harbinger and thane of every hold would keep him busy for the rest of his days.

But this hadn't stopped him from enjoying some time off. To stay and rest in Falkreath, to sleep until noon, and to stay with Serana and have nothing to worry about.

He sighed in happiness, thinking that life was good, and he rammed his axe into the large stump that he used when chopping wood for the hearth. The skies looked clear and it seemed like it would not rain for the rest of the day. He left the pile of logs and walked back inside. He immediately smelled the food that Rayya was cooking and felt his mouth watering. He had made her his steward in a heartbeat and found out very quickly that that was a good idea. The Redguard woman turned out to be not only a formidable fighter, but also a good cook, just like Lydia and would often grab recipes that were made in Hammefell. The food she had made thus far never failed to amaze Tarrion and even Serana, being a Vampire, said that she liked every single one of them. She meant this, although Tarrion knew that normal food would not nourish her. She would still need to feed on blood, but he had not minded, and neither did Rayya.

As Tarrion walked up the large staircases and down the hallway that lead to his bedroom he saw that both doors were closed, and instead the door to the guestroom was ajar. He was surprised by this, since it was hardly ever used, and he peaked through crack.

He saw that the room was dark, as all the windows were covered by curtains. He knew Serana was in the room, but he did not see her, and a small ray of light fell from the crack in the door.

As Tarrion opened the door and walked in, he saw Serana sitting on the bed with his back to him. Despite that he could not see her face, he knew that she was struggling with something, and thus he closed the door, thinking that the conversation that would follow was private. It was not completely dark in the room, and only after his eyes had gotten used to the darkness, he was able to see anything. Half feeling, half seeing he moved toward the bed, and felt with his hand where Serana was. He touched her shoulder and proceeded to sit next to her. He felt her body make a slight shake as his hand touched her, but she did not move away, and he drew hope from this. He waited a few moments before he asked, as he did not know what it was that bothered her, until he asked.

"Serana?... What is it?"

She did not answer immediately, but instead slowly turned around, and despite the darkness, he could see that her eyes were wet with tears. They were still softly glowing, and he saw a slight tremor in them. He saw the two lights go out and back on again as she blinked, and his had found her face, and he wiped a tear off her cheek.

"Tell me, dear…. What is it?"

"I… I belong here…"

Her voice was soft and weak, and Tarrion could hear it trembling.

"What do you mean?"

"I belong here." Serana repeated and she sighed. "Here in the dark. It is where Vampires like me belong."

Tarrion looked at her confused, as he had no idea what brought this on. Serana's voice had changed to bitterness now, but he could still hear the grief.

"This is what I am," Serana continued and she stood up and started pacing around the room and her voice became louder. "I don't know who I am kidding… except maybe myself. I am a Vampire, a 'creature of the night', and that will not change. Maybe I should go back to the stone cold castle where I came from and live my days out there."

Tarrion had to listen closely to follow her as it was too dark to see her. He could see short flashes of her eyes, but then they disappeared again, and her footsteps were silent and muffled by the rugs. As she turned around, he looked at her with his eyes wide open, and he did not understand.

"… Serana… what is going on?... Where did this come from? I thought you were happy here."

"Well, I'm not!" Serana said loudly. She did not mean this fully, yet her frustration forced the words out her mouth. She now looked at Tarrion who could not see her expression of anger and pain on her face, but she could see an expression on his face that she had not seen before. It was one of fear. "I…. this is not your fault, yet you are part of the reason why. When I woke up I heard you outside. I wanted to walk to you, but I couldn't. Not in this weather. The sun blocks me from walking next to you and see the lake shine in the sunlight, from feeling a soothing warmth on my skin, from walking outside without wearing a hood, from doing anything outside during the day."

Her voice was still loud, but also had a tone of grief and Tarrion still looked at her with his eyes wide open in shock and fear. Serana continued pacing around the room and with every word, her eyes became wet with tears.

"My vampirism, my… tainted blood… prevents me from doing so many things that I want to do. I want to feel the warmth of the sun again without feeling it burn. I want to wear clothes that do not cover every inch of my body. I no longer want to constantly feed on you. I.. know you don't mind but I do, because it makes me feel like a leech. I want to feel the warmth of a relationship the way mortals do. I want…. I want to enjoy every aspect of a relationship the way mortals do. But I cannot."

She sighed and fell to her knees. All the energy that had surged through her now faded in an instant as she uttered those last words. Tarrion still sat on the bed and felt dejected, and he did not know what to say. He simply looked at where he last saw the furiously glowing eyes of Serana and he knew that she felt defeated as well.

"Tarrion, I know you cannot give me advice on this." Serana said, and her voice was softer again, but now not in grief, but in dejection. "I do not blame you for this, but… I need someone that can help me with this."

Tarrion stood up and kneeled in front of her. He could see her eyes glowing in front of him and he grabbed her tightly. She did not hug him back, but he lifted her up and sat on the bed again. He said nothing as they sat there in the darkness and slowly Serana hugged him back. He felt her cold skin against his and he caressed her back, pressing her body against him. Her hair stroke past his cheek and he kissed her neck.

"There is no-one that knows what I can do." Serana whispered, and Tarrion heard her grief again. "My father is dead and my mother is beyond my reach. And even if she weren't, she does not know what I feel…. There is no-one that can help me."

After a while Tarrion felt that his throat was locked.

"You said that your Vampirism prevents you from doing the things you want." he said. "From walking in the sun without fear. From walking in a city without hiding yourself, and not feed on blood anymore…. From living your own life?"

Serana slowly nodded. "…yes…"

"You say that it is your Vampiric blood that prevents you from doing all this. So… have you… ever thought of curing yourself?"

Tarrion asked it slowly and with as much tact as possible. He did not want to sound like he thought she was sick or something, but he tried to offer her a solution. He did not feel Serana respond, but after a while she pulled back from his embrace and looked at him. He saw no anger in her eyes, only a gaze that asked.

"…No…. I have not…." her voice sounded like she was thinking about what Tarrion said, and Tarrion continued slowly and carefully.

"You told me once that you became a Vampire through a ritual… You said that you were 'not a willing subject'. That it was expected of you, and that the ceremony was degrading… You said that you hate what it has done to your family…."

Tarrion stopped for a few moments, not wanting to go too fast, and give Serana time to protest or stop him, but she did not. Her eyes still had the same look in them, like she was thinking.

"I…" Tarrion started again. "I would like to ask you…. Serana, do you want to be a Vampire?"

Serana did not answer, but opened and closed her mouth a few times. That question fell hard on her, and she felt like someone put her in front of a mirror and show her what she truly felt. Like she now had to admit and acknowledge what she felt. She blinked several times over before she was able to pull herself together, but when she finally did, she still did not know what to think.

Her Vampirism had been a part of her for her entire life, and she could not imagine a different life. She had been a Vampires for so long she could not even remember her old life as a human. Everything that she was, was because on account of her being a Vampire. It was the reason why she was powerful and able to do things beyond imagining.

"…Serana?..."

She was pulled back to the here and now and her mind returned to the dark room. She saw how she sat on Tarrion's lap and how he looked at her with worry in his eyes. His deep, always calm and always strong eyes seemed to give her strength.

"I don't know." she said and she sighed. "I don't know anymore. I… I have been a Vampire my entire life and I cannot imagine it any other way, but…. My blood gives me incredible power. I am immortal, command amazing powers, I can see in the night and sense the living. I can hear anything that happens around me, and I am stronger than most people. I am almost as strong as you. But it is also the reason why so much bad has happened in my life. It is the reason why I had to flee from my own father, it is the reason why I am scorned by almost everyone. I cannot live without feeding on blood. I cannot enjoy the light of the day. I am a creature of the night… a monster as some would call me."

Serana was torn between two parts of herself. She felt both the good sides and bad sides of her blood, and it now finally reached the surface.

"… I don't know. My blood allows me to protect people… protect you… and I can survive almost any wound that is inflicted on me…. And yet, it also prevents me from feeling human, from feeling warm by myself… from doing the things that.. 'mortals' would do."

Tarrion saw the confliction in her eyes. He understood her. He knew what this confliction feels like and what she was going through. As a Werewolf he also had his good and bad sides, but he also knew his problems were nothing compared to hers.

But Serana had decided not to circle around the question that she knew would inevitably come. She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around Tarrion's neck.

"Tarrion… would you ask of me to give up my Vampirism?"

She saw his expression change and his eyes grew wider. He looked away for a quick moment, but then he gave her a slight smile.

"I'd like to see your face first." he said and he pointed at the curtains that hung in front of one of the windows. Using Telekinesis he opened them and a ray of light fell into the room and he saw her again. Her eyes now looked at him with longing and he looked back at her with a gentle smile.

"No." he said and Serana was surprised by this answer. "I will never ask that of you. And you know why?"

Serana shook her head.

"Because I fell in love with you for who you are." he answered, still with that gentle smile on his face. "I fell in love with you, and you are a Vampire. You have saved me and helped me in more ways than you know. You are indeed powerful and if it wasn't for you, I would not have been able to survive the fight against Harkon."

Tarrion sighed again and his smile grew wider. His hand ran down to Serana's waist. "When we met your mother, and you ran away from her to hide your grief, I went after you. Not because I thought you would do something stupid, or because I wanted to get it all over with… but because I cared for you. I made you a promise back there, that I would stay with you. In Ancestor Glade I kissed you, not because I wanted to shut you up, but because I wanted to kiss you. I gave you my blood, even though it almost killed me, because I did not want you to die, and I still give my blood to you, because I don't want to lose you."

He pushed her closer to him and he saw a slight, watery smile appear on her face as well.

"The only thing I would ask of you is this: Please, make the choice that YOU want to make. Don't make this choice because of others, not because of what others might say or think about you…. Don't even make this choice because of me. Make sure that it is what you want. If you decide to stay a Vampire, my love for you will not lessen. If you decide to become human, then it will make no difference to me. I will love you then, as I love you now…. With all my heart."

And as he pulled her closer he planted a deep and gentle kiss on her lips. Her skin had always felt cold to his skin, but he had never cared for it. His heart had always beat faster when she was around, and now, as it almost felt like it was the very first real kiss that they had shared, with her body pressed against him with only a nightgown between her skin and his, and her arms around his neck, it started beating even faster. Tarrion leaned back and fell on the bed and Serana's hands caressed his naked chest and ran over the scars that he had. She kissed him back, warm, passionately and gently and he felt her fangs through her lips. With one hand still on her waist, he ran his other hand over her back and through her hair.

They lay there for what seemed like hours, even though it was only a few moments, not having a care in the world, until they finally let go of each other. Serana looked at her love and she felt tears of joy welling up in her eyes. She knew that there was not a single man in Tamriel that would help her the way he had helped her and there was no-one that would love her like he loved her. And she knew that there is, was and will never be one that she will love more. She felt her entire body grow warm with his embrace and she looked into those deep, strong eyes and she knew that they both wanted the same.

They heard a knock on the door and Rayya called them. She said that she had just finished cooking and it was standing ready. Both Serana and Tarrion felt their faces change from exited to disappointed. Serana stepped off the bed and walked to the door, with her head down. The feeling she had a moment ago was now gone. She left to put on something easy and comfortable, as she had thrown away her old clothes. Tarrion simply grabbed a tunic and they both headed downstairs.

Both of them felt occupied with their thoughts during the time they ate, and if either of them spoke, it was only briefly. But Serana knew that she would have to make a choice. She knew that it was time for her to decide what she truly wanted. Live a life as a human. Or live on the way she had for countless years, as a Vampire. Which of the two she would pick was something not even she knew.

=End of Chapter=

=Author's Notes=

So, they're getting 'C'-blocked again. I do hope I explained Serana's issue with her Vampirism here well enough. But this is just chapter one, so more stuff will happen later.

Also, technically Serana never said that she 'was not a willing subject' when it comes to her Vampirism. But since she is not sure if she regrets it or not, and since her mother pointed out that 'Serana wouldn't have dared to turn her back on it', I think it is fair to think that she was not entirely OK with becoming one.

Characters:

Rayya: Redguard housecarl in Falkreath Hold. Totally possible to make her your steward for your house there. She is a capable fighter, with the same voice as Aela and a buttload of other characters.

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