Stefan and Serana cantered gently on the back of Stefan's horse. They had passed through the small hamlet of Dragon Bridge, famous for its bridge, in the shape of a dragon. The daylight of the Spring day was starting to fade. Being Vampires, they usually didn't travel during the daylight hours. They had both donned hoods to protect themselves from the burning rays of the sun. However, travelling at night was now extremely dangerous with the new werewolf threat. Serana clutched Stefan's waist, not because she was afraid; but because she liked to hold him.

"Are we going to make it to Rorikstead?" asked Serana looking ahead of her.

Stefan looked up at the sky.

"We should make it in good time," he said. "Hold on."

Serana held on tighter as he shook the reins. His horse gathered speed and galloped. Serana's hood shook, she freed her hand to adjust it and resumed clutching his waist tightly. The bushes by the side of the road rustled. Serana noticed from the corner of her eye. She glanced at them as they passed. The were stationery once again. She continued to look at them as they rode past.

They reached Rorikstead just as the sun set. He halted his horse. He disembarked and waited for Serana who dismounted smoothly and landed next to him. He tied his horse to the fence outside the Four Shields Tavern. He looked around to find the town was almost deserted. A breeze rippled through the hamlet billowing his hair. He looked over at Serana. Her gaze was fixed on a large bush across the road.

"Serana," he asked. "What do you see?"

"There's something in that bush," she replied gesturing to it.

Stefan looked over at it. He squinted but was unable to see anything inside it.

"I can't..." he began.

"Shh!" said Serana silencing him.

She raised her right hand and launched a spike of ice at the bush. The bush shuddered and a fully grow werewolf emerged.

"I knew it!" she said preparing for battle. She raised her other hand and began firing chain lightning at the advancing werewolf. Stefan drew his sword, raised his shield and advanced on the werewolf. He stood next to her. Serana kicked him back. She fired chain lightning at the werewolf. Stefan advanced once more. Serana kicked him back. He fell to the floor, his sword clattering onto the stone path.

Serana fired chain lightning from both hands, showering the werewolf in blue lightning sparks. The werewolf advanced. The lightning took affect, electrocuting the beast. Serana fired ice spikes. They struck the creature slowing the advance. She fired more chain lightning. Her magicka ran dry. She picked up Stefan's sword. She lunged. The werewolf leapt at her. The sword struck the beasts chest. It roared in pain. Serena lunged the sword deeper into the beasts chest. The point emerged from its back. The werewolf slumped. Serana raised her foot. She pressed it against the creature and pulled the sword out.

The werewolf fell into a heap on the floor. Serana lowered the sword breathing heavily. She spotted Stefan looking up at her from the ground. She dropped the sword and extended her hand to help him up. He took her hand and she pulled him onto his feet. They looked at each other for a split second. He pulled her close to him and kissed her passionately.

"Goodness," he said. "It's like art watching you fight."

Serana giggled as he kissed her again.

"Really?" she asked playfully.

"Oh yes," he replied. "You are even more ravishing then ever."

They kissed once more.

"I'm not sure about you," she said. "But I need a drink."

He smiled.

"That's my girl," he said.

He picked up his sword from the ground. He wiped the blood on a nearby bush and sheathed it. Serana then took his arm as he lead her up the stairs towards the front door of the Four Shields. He opened the door and allowed her to enter first. She obliged and he followed her in.

They entered the tavern and it suddenly turned deathly quiet. Everyone in the tavern craned to look at them. Stefan and Serana looked at each other, then looked at the crowd looking at them. The tavern then resumed normality and the crowd noise returned. Stefan and Serana shrugged as they approached the bar.

"What can I get you?" asked the inn keep.

"A room for the night," replied Stefan. "Double bed. And two ales. No, make that three."

The inn keep kneeled down and pulled up three bottles of ale from the bar. She placed them on the bar top.

"25 gold," she requested.

Stefan dropped 25 gold coins on the bar top. The inn keep took them and pointed to a room on her left hand side.

"Room two," she said. "It's yours for a day."

Stefan picked up the bottles and lead Serana to a table in the corner of the room. They sat down and opened their bottles.

"Why didn't you let me fight that werewolf?" asked Stefan.

Serana took a long drag of her bottle.

"I didn't want you to get hurt," she replied. "You are too important."

"So are you," said Stefan firmly.

"Not as much as you," replied Serana. "You are our Vampire Lord."

"A Vampire Lord is nothing without his Queen," replied Stefan.

Serana smiled. He always seemed to know exactly what to say. She rested her head on his shoulder. He drank another measure of ale and stroked her hair softly.

"I hope the orc has some answers," said Serana sighing.

"At the College of Winterhold?" asked Stefan.

Serana nodded.

"Mother suggested that we ask him," she said. "She said it would explain all these werewolf attacks."

"I take it that we haven't told Lucinda and Valeria?" asked Stefan as he took another drink.

Serana shook her head.

"It's best if they are unfamiliar," said Serana. "At least, for this moment in time."

Stefan stroked her hair softly.

"I understand," he said.

The tavern inhabitants continued their merry ways without noticing them sat in their corner.