"Where am I sleeping father?" asked Valeria as they climbed the stairs.

There was a smell of burning as they climbed the stairs. The fire on the torches were busy burning away the dust as they climbed.

"You can have your mothers old room," he replied.

They reached the hallway. He pointed to the direction of the spare room. She opened the door and entered the room. She could see a perfectly made bed and a wardrobe, exactly as it was when Serana was here.

"What's in here?" asked Valeria.

She pulled open the wardrobe to reveal Serana's wedding dress. Valeria gasped. She smoothed it across the wardrobe door to get a better look at it.

"Wow," she said.

Stefan looked at it and smiled.

"Your mother's wedding dress," he said.

"It's beautiful," said Valeria.

"She was," replied Stefan his eyes glazing over. "She is. I'll never forget that day."

"I heard you were a mortal before you married mother," said Valeria. "Is that true father?"

"Yes," he replied. "It is."

"So how did you become a Vampire?" asked Valeria.

"She turned me," replied Stefan.

He pointed to the bite marks on his neck. They were still there even after all these years. They were faint however, but Valeria could just make them out.

"Didn't Serana tell you this?" asked Stefan smiling.

"She did," replied Valeria. "But I wanted to hear it from you."

He chuckled.

Valeria returned the dress to the wardrobe.

"What if the werewolves find us here?" she asked.

"They won't," said Stefan. "We're quite out of the way here."

"But what if they do?" she asked.

"It will give me a chance to even out our bet," said Stefan smiling.

Valeria smiled.

"It's your sister they are after," he repeated echoing his words from before. "We are perfectly safe here."

She hugged her father tightly.

"Thank you father," she said.

He nodded and hugged his daughter tightly.

From the window, the sunlight could be seen creeping in through the grubby window.

"I think that's my cue to go to bed," said Stefan.

"Mine too," said Valeria. "Good night father."

She released Stefan. He smiled at her and made to leave the room. Valeria listened to him entering his bedroom and closing the door. She closed and locked her door and made herself comfortable on Serana's old bed. She wiggled around a little to make herself comfortable. She rolled over onto her side and slowly fell asleep.

Lucinda closed the book. Not only was she finished with the chapter, she had finished the whole book. She closed it with a snap and placed it on the chair by the fire next to her. She sighed and looked out of the window. The sun was rising over the hill behind the house. She could hear the occupants of the town. It had been a long time since she had left Castle Volkihar. It was time to explore.

Lucinda stood up and quietly made her way to the front door. She opened it carefully and made her way out onto the sunny street. She pulled a hood over her head and closed the front door of the Breezehome silently. She looked around and took a deep breathe of the crisp morning air.

The residents glanced at her as she stepped onto the stone pathway. She looked around, her head swinging this way and that, taking in her new surroundings. It soon became clear why they were staring, it was uncommon for someone to walk around with a hood over their head. She ignored their glances however and continued her exploration of Whiterun.

She stopped at the market and watched the stall owners open their stores and begin to call out to their potential customers. She stood watching them for a moment. Suddenly she was bumped into by a Redguard wearing brown robes.

"Watch where you are going," he said.

"You bumped me," said Lucinda aggressively. "It should be you who apologises."

"Perhaps if you weren't standing in the way I wouldn't have walked into you," he said.

"Perhaps if you were using your eyes," retorted Lucinda. "You wouldn't have walked into me."

The Redguard looked her up and down. He then made a noise of impatience and turned to leave. She watched him leaving for a moment, noticing how he strutted around. She shook her head and looked away. Her eyes fell upon a guard who was watching her. She walked away passing the stalls.

"Would you care for some fresh game my lady?" asked the elf who manned the meat stall.

"Oh no thank you," replied Lucinda politely. "I happen to be a vegetarian."

The Elf smiled as she walked away. Lucinda ascended the stone steps watching the water flowing down the hill either side of her. She reached the top and was greeted by the Gildergreen in all its glory. She gasped. She walked towards it and stopped just in front of it.

"Wow," she whispered softly.

She had read about the Gildergreen in her books and she had longed to see it ever since. Now it was right in front of her, it was even more glorious than she expected. She stood and studied for a moment. The people around her went about their daily business, but she just stood and looked it intently. Just then she heard a voice behind her.

"Lucinda!" called the voice

She looked around. The voice sounded like her mother.

"Lucinda!" called the voice again.

It was getting closer and she was sure it sounded like Serana.

"There you are!" she called.

Lucinda turned around to see Serana striding towards her. Her eyes glowed red and she was scowling in fury.

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked.

"I'm looking at the Gildergreen," said Lucinda innocently.

"I can't believe you sneaked out like that," said Serana angrily. "It's dangerous out here for you."

"Relax mother," replied Lucinda dismissively. "We are perfectly safe. We've got guards and high walls."

"Be that as it may," replied her mother. "We still have to be careful. Besides, these guards will defend the people here. They don't care about us. We are Vampires, they wouldn't think twice about putting a sword through your back."

"They can try," replied her daughter looking at the guards. "No one is faster or better at fighting than me."

Serana shook her head.

"Why are you out of bed anyway?" asked Serana.

"I couldn't sleep," said Lucinda. "You?"

"Me neither," replied Serana. "I can't sleep without your father."

They stared at the Gildergreen for a moment.

"It really is as beautiful as they say," said Lucinda quietly.

"Yes it is," replied Serana. "I remember the first time I saw it. I was with your father. It was our first anniversary and I was pregnant with you."

"You were pregnant with me on your first wedding anniversary?" asked Lucinda. "You and father didn't hold back did you?"

"Lucinda!" said Serana scandalised, her face burning with embarrassment.

Her daughter flashed her an evil grin as her mother looked away. She allowed her a moment of embarrassment before she continued.

"You know," said Lucinda. "I hear ale helps one sleep."

Serana shook her head.

"Alright then," she said. "But just one."

"Okay," said Lucinda "Then perhaps you can tell me how a Vampire ended up marrying a mortal."

"How did you know that?" asked her mother as she lead her daughter towards the tavern.

"Father told me," replied Lucinda.

Serana shook her head again as they descended the stairs.