Five
The horse stopped outside the main gate of Solitude. He dismounted and held out his arms to help Serana dismount. She dismounted clumsily and fell into his outstretched arms. She smiled awkwardly. He stood aside to allow her to walk past him. He tied his horse to the fence outside and he led her up the steep path to the city.
"I can see the Solitude windmill from here," she said craning her neck. "It's so much bigger than I thought!"
"You've never seen the Solitude windmill?" he asked as she craned to look at it.
"Only in books as a little girl," she said. "When I was a little Vampire girl, I made a list of things I wanted to see in Skyrim."
"Tell me your list," he said. "I would like to complete it with you."
"Really?" she asked. "I would hate to be burden."
"On the contrary," he corrected her. "I rather enjoy your company Serana."
"I feel strangely comfortable in your company too," said Serana.
They reached the gate of Solitude. The guards flanking the gate looked at him.
"I'm Thane of Falkreath," began Stefan. "Elisif the Fair requested to see me."
The guards nodded. Stefan was about to enter, Serana followed him. The guards stopped her.
"She's with me," said Stefan. "She's my..."
He was struggling to find a way to explain what she was to him.
"...friend," he finished. "She's my very, very good friend."
Serana frowned at him, very, very good friend?
"The Jarl requests only your presence," explained the guard. "Others in your party must wait outside."
"Is that so?" he demanded. "Well in that case, the Jarl will not be receiving my visit. Now, if you would like to go and tell her why, we shall be on our way."
The guards looked at each other. This was a prospect that neither of them found inviting. They stood aside.
"Alright," he said. "But she is your responsibility."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," said Stefan proudly.
Serana smiled at him once more. He beckoned her to follow him.
The doors opened and they entered the quaint city of Solitude. This was Stefan's favourite city in Skyrim.
"The Winking Skeever," read Serana as they passed it. "Interesting name."
People were looking at her as she walked, she sped up a little to walk next to him.
"People keep staring at me," she said. "It's making me nervous."
"The people in Solitude are rather highly strung," he explained. "Don't let it bother you."
He lead her through the city towards the Blue Palace. Serana stopped at the sight of it.
"Wow," she said in awe. "That's the Blue Palace? It's enormous. I read it was big, but not like this."
He stopped to give her a chance to enjoy looking at the architecture.
"Sorry," she said as she saw him waiting for her.
"Don't apologise," he said. "Take your time."
He led her through the door of the Blue Palace. Up the stairs to the second floor to see Elisif The Fair sitting on her throne. They stopped and bowed deeply in respect.
"My Jarl," began Stefan. "It is Stefan, Thane of Falkreath and Whiterun. Mage of the college of Winterhold and defender of the Dawn-guard."
Elisif looked at him. Her long, blonde hair fell past her shoulders and glowed in the bright sunlight of the room. Serana, who had taken a seat in the corner, looked at her. Her radiant beauty caused an immediate feeling of jealousy. A Vampire she may be, but she was also a woman. In that moment she felt threatened by this Elisif.
"Rise Thane Stefan," said Elisif fixing his big blue eyes on him. She shook her hair and continued. "I've heard good things about you."
"My Jarl," interrupted Stefan. "I've heard many stories about your radiance. I regret to say that they failed to do justice to your beauty. I understand why they have named you Elisif the Fair."
Elisif blushed.
"Why thank you," she said giggling. "What a charming young Thane you are. I trust your journey wasn't too difficult."
"Alas my Jarl," explained Stefan. "With this civil war raging, it is dangerous to travel those long Skyrim roads."
"This is why I have summoned you here," she said. "I have a special favour to ask of you."
"Ask away my Jarl," he said. "My time is of your request."
"After the death of my husband, I was unable to pray to all the Eight. Please, take this to the Shrine of Talos. It is Torygg's War horn. As Talos worship is forbidden by the Elves, it is too dangerous for me to make this journey myself."
"Consider it done my Jarl," said Stefan smiling.
Elisif nodded to her steward. He handed him a large, ivory coloured War Horn. He then bowed once more and backed away.
"My Jarl," he said. "The courier who visited mentioned the Bards school."
Elisif looked at him.
"A rouse," she replied. "It would be unwise to broadcast my true intentions across Skyrim given the current political climate."
He bowed again. He then turned around and gestured for Serana to follow him. She stood up, looked at Elisif and followed him out of the Palace. He held open the door for her and allowed her to exit first. Serana walked out, followed by Stefan.
He fumbled with the horn, tying it to the belt on his armour.
"That doesn't seem too difficult,"said Serana with a bite of bitterness in her voice. "Just deliver a horn to a shrine of Talos. Where is the Shrine of Talos?"
"It's just outside Whiterun," replied Stefan adjusting the horn on his armour.
"I wonder what reward she will give you for delivering her late husbands horn?" asked Serana her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I don't really mind," he replied Stefan apparently missing the sarcasm. "I just want to buy a house here."
"Why?"asked Serana. "You built a beautiful home in Falkreath."
Stefan looked around, he was checking for any guards. There were none around.
"Let me show you,"he said.
He grabbed her hand and led her to a wooden gate of a large abandoned house. He then took out a lockpick and picked the lock. The gate opened. Serana looked around and then looked at him, completely shocked.
"Come on,"he gestured. "You've seen me pick locks in a Nordic Burial Ground."
Serana dashed through the gate. He closed it behind her and followed her up the stone steps. She stood leaning against the stone wall. He then pointed behind her. Serana turned around and gasped.
"Wow," she gasped in awe.
Stefan stood next to her. There was a view out to the sea that stretched for miles. To the right she could see the mountains of Solitude. Every other view was of the sea.
It was a millpond. The sea lapped producing tiny waves. The boats skimmed across the water to and from Solitude harbour. Their sails billowed in the light breeze of the evening. Serana looked around, her red eyes taking in the spectacular view in front of her.
"This is gorgeous," she gasped. "I'm glad you are here with me."
She looked up at him. Their eyes met. A moment that felt like an eternity passed. Their faces slowly moved closer together. Serana closed her eyes as their lips met.
She kissed him deeply and passionately. She put her arm around his neck and kissed him deeper. He could taste the blood in her mouth. He could smell it in her breath. Stefan pulled her closer. He ran his fingers through her long, silky black hair. Serana felt this incredible feeling of adrenaline, unlike she had never experienced before. She pulled out and began kissing his neck. She could feel his blood pulsing in his veins, the excitement throbbing. She brushed her fangs against his skin, but didn't draw blood. Their lips met and she kissed him lovingly once more.
Stefan kissed her neck gently. Serana exposed her fangs and hissed excitedly. She grabbed a lock of his long hair and pulled on it as her kissed her neck. He kissed her neck and pressed down on it with his teeth slightly. Serana made a small noise of pleasure. He then returned to her soft lips and kissed her hungrily.
"Stefan," she whispered. "Stefan."
"Yes?" he asked, wrenching his lips from hers.
"We can't," she said. "We mustn't."
"Why?" he asked.
"I'm a Vampire," she replied. "Remember?"
"Didn't forget," he said simply. "Just don't care."
"Don't care?" repeated Serana. "I drink your blood. I lack a reflection and heartbeat."
"I know," said Stefan looking directly into her blood red eyes. He could see sadness in them. Sadness and shame. He kissed her forehead softly. "But I don't care. I love you Serana."
Serana's eyes welled up with small tears. Whether it was happiness or sadness, he wasn't sure. He wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead once more.
"I'm a mortal," he said softly. "One day death will come for me."
"That day is a long way away yet,"she whispered, echoing his words from before.
Small tears welled up in her eyes again. He wiped them away once more. Serana pulled him close to her and kissed him lovingly once more. Her fingers combed his long hair softly.