Frostfall, the 1st of. The trees were starting to turn and there was a nip in the air. Night had fallen. Stefan and Serana sat in the tavern of Dead Man's Drink. He had taken her to Falkreath because he wanted to show her his homestead he had just finished. They sat opposite each other at a table in the corner. It had been two weeks since the death of her father. The subject hadn't been raised, but he knew, he knew that something was bothering her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Serana, who had just taken a swig of ale lowered her flagon once more.
"Yes," she said. She drained her flagon and got up to request another. He watched her walk off to the bar and averted his eyes when she returned.
"It's my first time in Falkreath," she said changing the subject. "I didn't know the people here could be so lively."
"They're in the presence of the Dragonborn," explained Stefan jokingly. "My presence makes everyone lively."
Serana laughed.
"What a modest saviour you are!" she declared. "All hail the mighty Dragonborn!"
"I'll drink to that," he exclaimed raising his flagon and downing it.
Serana laughed, it was a long time since she had laughed like this. However, her laughter was cut short.
"Shh," she said urgently. "Do you hear something?"
She raised her hand to silence him.
There was some kind of commotion coming from outside. They looked at each other. Vampires?
The twosome got up and made their way to the door. Serana got their first. She pulled it open to find three Vampires rampaging the town. She drew her Elven Dagger and raced towards the creatures throwing fire balls from her right hand as she advanced on it. Stefan drew his Dragonbone sword and was immediately flanked by two Master Vampires.
"Fus Ro Dah!" he shouted sending them flying into a nearby tree.
Fireballs issued from Serana's right hand. The Vampire responded with Vampire Drain spell. Serana shot another fireball. It caught the Vampire's hair. The Vampire responded with lightning. Serana advanced with fire. She grabbed the Vampire. She turned her around and slit her throat. Blood spurted from her open neck as Serana dropped her to the floor.
She ran forwards to help her companion. Stefan slashed at one of the vampires. He then smashed him in the face with his Ebony Shield. The Vampire stumbled. Stefan decapitated him. His headless body fell to the floor. He turned to the second Vampire. Serana was duelling with it using Vampire Drain. Stefan ran forwards and slid his sword into the Vampire's back.
He pulled his sword out, breathing heavily. The guards approached Serana, flanking her with their swords drawn.
"She is also a Vampire," said one of them. "She must be destroyed."
Surrounded by seven guards, she looked at the Dragonborn. Fear filler her deep, red eyes. In one movement, Stefan grabbed the nearest guard. He pulled him from the circle. He bashed him in the face, knocking him unconscious.
The guards turned to look at him. They raised their weapons.
"I am the Thane of Falkreath." he bellowed. "Serana is with me. If any of you cretins harm a single hair on her head I will cut you down where you stand. Do you hear me?"
The guards looked at him.
"Do you hear me?" repeated Stefan.
They guards nodded and sheathed their weapons.
"As you wish my thane," muttered the guards.
He sheathed his sword and waited for Serana to follow him. She sprinted up to him.
"Thank you," she said.
"That's quite alright," he replied. "You can always count on me."
She smiled gratefully, exposing her fangs. His heart skipped a beat. He turned to leave the town. Serana fell into step next to him. They turned left at the junction, the town behind them.
They walked side by side in silence. Serana looked at him, she watched his long red hair swaying slightly in the light breeze of the night. She heard his armour clinking quietly as he walked. Her eyes focussed on his hand, clutching the hilt of his sword. His shield hung loose on his other arm. She watched him walking for a moment. In the silence, her eyes feasted on him. It was a hunger, but a hunger of a different kind. She didn't want to drink his blood. However, it was a strange feeling, something that she couldn't explain.
"They are never going to leave you alone," began Stefan quietly. "You do know that don't you? They would follow you to Cyrodiil, Hammerfell and beyond."
Serana nodded. She already knew this.
"I know," she said. "I'm a traitor to my kind."
She hung her head for a moment.
"You are not safe either," she continued. "As long as you are alive. They will come for you."
"Then let them," he said defiantly. "If it stops them coming after you, it's worth it."
He led her along a narrow dirt path. In the distance, a large object hoved into view. Serana was careful to stay close to her companion. It was dark and she wasn't keen on getting lost.
The large black object emerged and revealed itself to be a large homestead. Serana looked up at it and gasped. Stefan turned to look at her.
"Coming?" he asked.
Serana darted after him. He led her to the front door. He unlocked it and allowed her to enter.
The door closed. Stefan raised his hands and performed a candle light spell. At once, all the lights illuminated around the house. Serana gasped again.
"Welcome home," said Stefan.
"It's gorgeous,"she gasped looking around.
Black timber framed walls surrounded her with white coloured paint. The windows were stained glass and allowed small diamonds of light to dance on the oak flooring.
A enormous fire pit sat in the middle of the lounge where a spit was roasting deer. Stefan placed his sword on the weapon rack by the curved wooden stairs. Serana's eyes fell upon the kitchen. A selected of salted meats and cheese were packed tidily away in a series of cupboards. Another cupboard housed various fruits and vegetables.
"I'll show you to your room," he said. "Come with me."
He walked up the stairs and beckoned her to follow him. She took one last look around the lower floor and followed him up the stairs.
The upper floor was even more glamorous than the lower. A series of doors jutted out from a long corridor. Serana peeked in every one. She found a weapons room, an alchemy lab, a smithy and a library. At the end of the corridor was a door, she guessed it was to his bedroom. She wanted to ask to have a look inside, but decided against it.
He led her into a large bedroom. A bookshelf heavy with books was shoved against the wall. The window overlooked a large king size bed. Against the opposite wall housed a large cabinet.
"This is your room," he announced.
He noticed Serana looking around the room, taking it all in.
"Is the bed alright?" he asked. " Or would you prefer a coffin?"
Serana looked at him frowning.
"Such a simple minded stereotype,"said Serana waspishly. "Did you think my kind sleep standing up in coffins?"
"Yes," he replied. "I read it in a book once."
Serana shook her head. He was lucky that she liked him and found his humour cute otherwise she would have sunk her teeth into him. However, something told her that he would enjoy this experience.
"No," she replied in the same waspish tone. "The bed is fine."
"Wonderful," said Stefan. "My room is just next door. If you need anything, then just let me know."
He smiled at her and closed the door. Serana listened to his footsteps walk to the room next to her. She heard the door open and then close. The house was silent and it was at this point Serana could finally be alone with her thoughts. She placed her Eleven Dagger on the bedside cabinet and went to the window. She sat on the bench and looked out into the dark night.