Chapter 9: Home

Ven loved her family, spending time with them when she wasn't killing, taking the time to write her folks. Which took her to now, staring at the reply she had just gotten back and attempting to control her rage. "Blasted Tong!" she yelled, even the torture victims falling silent at her outburst as Festus came down.

"What is the problem?" he asked softly, knowing Kai was out with Arnbjorn at the moment and hoping he could soothe her. She handed him the letter, her teeth grinding as he read it. "Then you must go Ven and do what you must." He said. "Sithis and the Night Mother understand this."

"They haven't been Tong for 100 years Festus. Meaning what they're doing is not legal. I will go and find out."

"Not alone you won't." a voice said, Kai coming down with Arnbjorn behind him, the werewolf stepping to put their hunts away.

"Never Kai," she said before taking a list the Night Mother had put in her pocket. "Festus, these are contracts the family can do if they want to-they are normally mine but the Night Mother as given me leave as we must go. Just keep the place in one piece ok? Don't want to go back to Delvin."

"For you or him Ven?" Nazir asked, getting a laugh before the pair went off, making their way to Windhelm and taking the boat to Raven Rock. They got off, looking at the town with a wistful look on her face before asking where her parents were, being shown to a house that was well-to-do and knocking, Toraasi opening it. "Dearheart you made it." She said, letting them in and shutting the door behind them. "And Kai; you are perfect for our daughter. I'm just sorry to send you both the letter like that."

"Mother I understand." Came the reply. "Is it dregs?"

"Yes," a voice answered, Arelris coming over. "The real Tong know not to harm us." He hugged Kai, kissing his daughter. "These s'wits are trying and being pains. It's very annoying."

"Where is the legit group of Tong?" she asked as there was a knock, Ven answering it to reveal a group of well-dressed Dunmer which she let in, having noticed the emblem around one's neck. She closed the door behind them, watching them take a seat before speaking up. "I may be a member of a 'rogue organization', but leave my parents out of this-it's not their fight.

The Dunmer with the emblem gaped at her. "We'll come to that." He said finally. "But the real Morag Tong know better than mess with your parents. I am Dinrar Drenndil and I speak for the Tong when I say there is a group on younglings that try to be us. As for you Aravenu Araleth, you haven't killed anyone, so why would we attack?"

"I am the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood," she said. "And while I haven't killed any, I don't know the rest of my family save Kai. I propose this: to take any here we must talk to you or risk your wrath. Does this abide by the Morag Tong?"

Dinrar spoke with the others before looking at her. "You put it in our favor Aravenu." He said. "The terms are more than agreeable. We'll look into dealing with your 'problem' as well-the n'wah act like you."

"Not us." Came the reply. "This is the first time we've been here since Astrid was leader-and she was slain by me. Our marks are in Skyrim for the most part."

The male nodded, the group getting up. "We will be in touch," he said, bowing before the group left. Arelris sighed, looking at his daughter. "I am glad you are safe my dear," he said. "I don't feel so bad for attacking those dregs now."

Ven shook her head. "They don't get their actions hamper the real Tong." She said. "At least you're safe save with them."

Toraasi nodded. "As are you. How have you been Dearheart?"

"I'm actually doing well," came the reply. "We took out...the Emperor."

"It's no wonder the Tong were so cordial," her father said. "Mede was getting up in years after all and not everyone agreed with him."

Her mother grinned. "And how are you Kai?" she asked. "Keeping up with her?"

"Pretty much, though I sometimes go on hunts with a friend. We do well. We have a wolf now-Oracle-that your daughter gave her blood to so she's larger than normal. She's at home with Lis, the family spider."

"This is with the Dark Brotherhood then. I know Ven would want her own, even if adopted. She'd make a great mother."

The younger Dunmer blushed, looking at Kai shyly as her mother got some treats, the group talking.

~Timeskip~

They wandered back home, Ven's mind having much to go over. Kai stopped on the hill above Dawnstar, seeing a half-built house. "Looks like it's been there for a bit." He said. "We could renovate it so it could connect to the Sanctuary. What do you think?"

Her mind began thinking, nodding to herself. "Let the family go there too if they want." She mused. "Come on, let's ask."

The pair went into Dawnstar, finding out the owner died so it stopped. The Dunmer thought for a bit before asking the price, knowing that the Sanctuary was right there, giving him the gold he'd asked. The half-dragon headed out with her, taking the back way and telling them the plan, adding a little farther and the passageway could run into the house. They were good with it, working on the house with them. 2 months later they had it done, putting in furniture. It was of an Akaviri design Kai remembered, mostly one level but having lower areas as well, with space for children if they wanted. In one room, Oracle and Lis were being themselves, checking the new area. Right now Ven was relaxing after all was said and done, Festus coming over. "We did a good job," he mused, watching her look over and nod.

"Yes," came the reply, watching the spider climb up and look around before chittering something. "Not sure girl," she added, blinking. "Wait..."

"Yes, you talked to her." The elderly mage said. "Gabriella does it too."

"That's...very interesting," the Dunmer mused. "I really had no idea."

Lis climbed down, Oracle rubbing against her. "I'm glad the two of them get along so well." He said. "You were nervous?"

"I was. Oracle was simply confused at first; it took Lis making the first move."

"What about the Tong?"

Ven rubbed her head. "We call them dregs. Lowlifes that think they're Morag Tong and issue fake Writs of Execution to people. I have the real Tong on our side. The catch is if we go over there, we need to speak with them."

"The Tong get the lion's share of contracts in Morrowind." Festus said. "As long as they do the same if they come over here."

"I believe they would." Was the reply. "Dinrar was very up front with me."

"I'm back!" a voice called, Kai coming in from hunting, a young Redguard boy with him. "This is Turan, a boy that was working in Dawnstar. He's...confused."

The Dunmer looked at the boy, her face showing kindness. "Do you want to live here?" she asked. "Kai and I could adopt you, if you want."

Turan stared at her, tears in his eyes. "Really?" He asked, blinking at Festus. "Who's he Mama?"

The pair fell into hysterics, the elderly mage chuckling. "You can call me Uncle Festus," he said, Lis and Oracle peering at them. "And this is Lis and Oracle; they're friends if your mother's." He thought of Arnbjorn, grinning. "You have a number of aunts and uncles with this family."

The young Redguard looked at her. "I would like to stay." He said, Ven enfolding him in a hug, the half-dragon patting his back.

"That is...oddly cute." Festus said, leaving the parents to tell their son the rules.

That took the better part of an hour, Turan listening to every word. "I understand Ma and Pa." He said. "Plus, who would I tell? I have a Dunmer mother, a mixed -raced father, and several aunts and uncles. What more do I need?" He glanced at the pets. "Oh. And a wolf and spider. Sorry you two."

"You're alright with our line of work?" Kai asked.

"You were the ones that took out Grelod Pa," Came the reply. "You saved those kids. Yes we heard about it even up here. She was mean."

That made Ven think. In 99% of these cases, the person they killed were bad people in some way. She looked up as Nazir walked in, looking at the boy. "You're adopting," he mused, shaking the lad's hand. "I'm your Uncle Nazir."

The Dunmer snorted, shaking her head. "By the gods," she intoned as the boy jumped into his arms, hugging him. "Have you introduced Babette yet?" he asked.

"Not yet," came the reply as her son climbed down. "Gabby and Arnbjorn are on the same list too, as is Cicero."

"Don't worry Ma." Turan said. "I can understand."

She hugged him before heading downstairs and hearing the Night Mother, getting sent to Windhelm. She and Kai headed there, seeking a cold-hearted gravedigger in Windhelm's Hall of the Dead. They took her down while hiding from old Helgird, leaving quietly. Ven went to the Grey Quarter for a drink, stopping when she saw a Nord girl. "Some flowers?" she asked "I picked them by myself."

"My dear, where are your parents?"

"Mama died when I was little and Papa was a soldier. He's gone now."

"You poor thing." The Dunmer's eyes were wet as she looked at her mate, getting a single nod in reply. "You can come home with me."

The girl, named Fjora, hugged her, climbing into her cloak. "But first let's get you some clothing and a cloak." She walked with the Nord down to Sadri's Used Wares, smiling at Revyn as the girl picked out what she wanted, getting a second cloak for Turan and paying for the purchases. "Thank you my friend," she said before leaving the shop. Kai smiled at the girl. "One of these days we'll have to take the brood up to Bormah." He intoned, Fjora looking at him quizzically.

"'Bormah'?" she repeated. "What's that Papa?"

"My name for my father Fjora." Came the reply. "When you meet him you'll understand at that time."

"Keep in mind your father isn't human." Ven said. "Bormah is one of his words."

They headed back, giving her the same talking to, her eyes shining. "I get it you two. And I understand." She rubbed Oracle's belly, giving Lis a pat before the spider climbed up onto her back, chittering. "What...?"

"She's just happy to have more friends," a voice said, Babette coming over. Turan and Fjora blinked. "Another child?" the Redguard asked.

"My childhood was 200 years ago," came the reply. "I'm Babette, one of the family. Pleased to meet you."

"A cousin then," the Nord said, hugging her. "I welcome you."

"Cousin hmm? I like that."

The Dunmer relaxed, smiling at the first of her adopted children and feeling blessed with their love.

~Timeskip~

A few weeks later, they headed up to Arcridge, having the Orc female Sher'Tul, a male wood elf named Aairi, a Dunmer male named Svaas and an Argonian female named Tasheva alongside their other two. "Be ready," Kai said. "You are about to meet my father, and will understand what I am." He led the way into the heart of the open mountain. Iizvenahkrin blinked, coming down. "Kul, Mon." he said.

"Bormah." The half-dragon replied. "We've brought our children."

"And what are their names be?" The dragon smiled. "It is all right."

"I'm Tasheva." The Argonian said, the others chiming in with their names.

"I am Iizvenahkrin, or Courage of Icy Wind if you translate it. I am your Bormah's Bormah, or grandfather."

The Dunmer sat down, listening to the stories as Sher'Tul came over and crawled into her lap, looking up at her. "How?" she asked.

"When I first met him I didn't know," came the reply. "I thought he was human. When we found his father things fell into place." She held the girl, smiling. "Kai is Kai, no more, no less."

"I understand Mama," the Orc said. "He protects you with your job?"

"Yep, among other things." She suddenly went silent, Iizvenahkrin raising a scaly eyebrow and chuckled. "Kai and I are with the Dark Brotherhood. It pays well."

"I have no trouble with that." Came the reply. "Are you safe?"

"I am Bormah. It's been...interesting. Why do you speak more like us though?"

"His Monah, or mother. She knew the dragon lore like no-one else. The Thalmor killed her. I...lost it and went on a rampage. Your father was in his human form but went half-dragon when he came upon me kiirre. A Daedric Prince gave him the form that he has now."

Sher'Tul looked at her father, smiling at him. "I like him like this." She said.

"What one was it Father?" Svaas asked. "Which Prince?"

"It was Lord Bal himself." Kai said. "He granted me a boon and I used it so I would live as long as your mother-forever if necessary."

"How romantic," Tasheva mused. "I wonder if Uncle Arnbjorn will find love."

"Actually," Ven said. "I think he's got a new girl. She knows he's a Lycan. As for me, I really don't want to turn you so young. You have plenty of time."

They talked for a while before heading home, seeing a horse waiting in the stables and smiled. "Children," she said. "My parents are here-they got my letter."

Sher'Tul ran ahead, going into the house and carefully removing her cloak before listening, hearing Festus speaking to someone and snuck up behind him, seeing the nice woman wink at her before speaking. "We're home!" she caroled, the elderly mage jumping and trying to catch his breath as the dark people laughed.

"Oh dear." The Dunmer said, having come in. "Festus are you all right?!" She was trying not to laugh as the other kids came in, watching.

"I am getting too old for this." Festus said, smiling at the orc. "You got me."

"Who's this Ma?" Aairi asked, looking up at the pair.

"Toraasi and Arelris Araleth, meet Turan, Svaas, Aairi, Sher'Tul, Fjora and Tasheva. Everyone, meet your grandparents."

Svaas bowed to them, the others doing the same. "By the gods Ven," Toraasi mused. "You have a pack. They're lovely."

Arelris picked up Tasheva, his eyes soft. "They are Ven." He said, causing the girl to blush and his daughter to smile. Arnbjorn came in at that moment, bringing a young woman in with him, a bite mark on her shoulder. "Ven," he said. This is Gerin Rock-Fang. I have marked her by our customs, but..." his eyes asked for what she thought and maybe her blessing.

"Gerin, has Arnbjorn told you what we do?" Ven asked sternly.

"He has and I have no trouble with that" Gerin replied. "He even told me of his wife and what she did before mating me-he wanted no secrets between us."

The Dunmer thought for a moment before using her magic to bind the two. "Then be happy this night, Gerin and Arnbjorn." She grinned. "I have no issues with you being a Lycan Gerin; Arnbjorn has already learned that lesson."

The Nord female grinned. "I am aware that you come first Ven and I understand."

Toraasi watched her daughter as the newlyweds left before turning to her. "Arnbjorn had it tough." She said simply. "His former wife..."

"I know Ven," came the reply. "He needed this."

Arelris grinned as Oracle and Lis ran in, the spider looking confused as the wolf sniffed the pair, taking in her mistress' closeness and understanding that they were not to be harmed, putting her paws on Ven's shoulders, looking at the pair. The male Dunmer laughed. "I take it this is Oracle then?" he asked. "And I can see a spider behind you-Lis?"

The spider slowly came over, chittering warily. "It's my parents Lis," the younger Dunmer explained. "They would like to meet you. That's all." She stood still as she was climbed on, Lis peering out curiously.

"Well hello there Lis." The older female said, slowly reaching out to touch her and getting a head bump in reply. "You're a pretty one, aren't you?"

The spider chittered again before climbing down, rubbing against her father happily and perching on a chair, tucking her legs under her. "Mother," Ven said. "Have you ever heard of Dunmer understanding spiders? Gabriella seems to have this ability as well."

Toraasi blinked, causing Lis to climb onto her friend's back. "You...can understand her?" she asked. "Yes, I've heard of spider speakers. They're extremely rare. Yet by a quirk of fate, there are two here?"

The spider looked at the younger Dunmer, chittering something. "I can't explain it Mother," She explained, rubbing her eight-legged friend, which was what she had asked. "And I don't know just how much Gabby hears. But I can...understand what Lis is saying-probably because I'm around her so much."

Arelris came over, watching Lis go with the children. "Your friendship allows this." He said. "It takes time to develop but once it does you are linked. Let me guess, Oracle is the same way whether you, Kai or this Gabriella?" He chuckled at her nod. "There is nothing to fear child. You are fine."

"'This Gabriella' doesn't like the name." A voice said, Gabriella herself coming in, watching the kids and spider play before looking at her friend's parents. "It is an honor to meet the great Arelris and Toraasi."

Ven let them talk, going outside. Kai came out behind her, holding her close, bonded in love.

Epilogue

Through the years, the Dark Brotherhood would grow, Ven and Kai becoming legends in their own right. The Dunmer was the first one to create Vampire/Lycan hybrids, finding that even her blood couldn't negate that of another Daedric Prince unless the bearer chose it. Her children went out and were selective about who they turned, making a small colony of they called 'Araleth's Brood' and to be raised into those ranks was a great honor. Ven kept up with those that needed killing, growing fat but never complacent, her half-dragon shadow always by her side.

(A.N.: And now we're done. I added in the understanding spiders as a diversion. I can see myself playing Gerin at some point. Ven and Kai have their own pack and are happy.)