Stefan sat at the long table of Castle Volkihar. Joining him at the table was an ink pot and a piece of paper. He sat writing a note with his back to the fire. The note read as follows,
'Temple of Mara,
This is a letter of confirmation for the upcoming wedding of Stefan and Serana Volkihar. It has been scheduled to take place on 3rd of Sun's Dusk at Autumn-shade Clearing. Please make all the necessary arrangements.
Stefan.
Thane of Falkreath.'
He signed the note with his name and placed the quill into the ink pot. He then sat for a moment waiting for the ink to dry. Serana entered the room from the large double doors at the back of the room. He heard the door close and looked up. Serana gracefully descended the stairs. He smiled as he watched her approach him. She kissed him on the cheek.
"What's that?" she asked reading it.
"A note for the Temple of Mara in Riften," he replied. "I'm going to send it by courier tomorrow morning."
"Autumn-shade clearing?"asked Serana.
"It's the place I proposed to you," he said.
"I remember," she said happily. "It's beautiful there."
Her eyes glazed over as she reminisced back to it.
"You can seal it with our family seal," suggested Serana.
"But I'm not a Volkihar," said Stefan.
"Not yet," corrected Serana. "On the 3rd of Sun's Dusk you will be."
She pecked him on the cheek again.
"Let me see where mother keeps the seals," she said.
Serana turned and walked towards the main hall. He watched her leave, the hem of her leather armour billowing as she walked. She returned a moment later carrying a candle, a small pan with wax and a seal.
"Do you know how to seal a letter?"she asked as she sat down.
"No," he replied.
"I thought all high born boys learned how to seal letters," she said surprised.
"I thought all high born girls knew how to ride horses," joked Stefan.
Serana frowned at him, but there was a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.
"I'm not high born," he explained. "My mother owned an inn and my father was a steward."
"Let me show you," she said sweetly.
She took the letter and folded it into three. She then heated the pan of wax of top of the candle. Once it had melted she removed the pan and poured a small amount where the folds met. She then took the Volkihar seal and pressed down hard. The seal was embossed on the wax and sealed the letter securely. She then slid it across the table to him.
"Thank you,"he said.
Serana smiled sweetly at him as she moved all the items aside.
"You should come outside and see the courtyard," she said. "Mother takes good care of her flowers."
She stood up and gestured for him to follow her. He got up. Serana took his arm and lead him out to the courtyard. His jaw dropped as she lead him through the doors.
He remembered the last time he came here. It was overgrown and dying. The flowers had long since died and castle debris littered the area. Now however, it was like an entirely different place. Every single garden was a riot of different colours. Lavenders, Death Bells and mountain flowers to name a few. Several fungus species complimented the flowers with Namira's Rot, Bleeding Crowns and Imp Stools to name but a few.
"Wow,"he gasped looking around. "This is quite a garden you've got here Valerica."
"Oh it's nothing," she said dismissively leaning against her rake. "When you are immortal, you have all the time in the world to tend a garden."
He looked around the garden once more. Despite the castle having a feeling of oppression and littered with bad memories he felt at peace in this garden.
"Serana has always enjoyed nature and flowers," said Stefan sitting at a bench facing the moon dial. "I can see where she inherited it from."
"We're going to get married outside mother," said Serana happily looking around the gardens.
"I can't recall any Skyrim weddings taking place outside," said Valerica. "What's wrong with a temple?"
Serana's face changed at the speed of light. Her expression changed from happiness to anger in the time it took Stefan to look over to Valerica. Serana placed her hands on her hips and scowled her.
"Mother," she said scandalised. "How could you suggest such a thing. After what...what we went through."
Stefan got up. He bolted over to Serana and put his arms around her. She hugged him tightly.
"I apologise," said Valerica. "I spoke out of turn. But even so, it's been thousands of years Serana..."
"...I haven't forgotten mother," she said fiercely. "I will never forget."
She gave her mother a piercing look. Her red eyes glowed and narrowed in fury. Being undead, she was unable to produce body heat but at this moment he was sure he could feel her radiating heat, like a burning fire. Serana had left his grasp and he could see lightning crackling on the palms of her hands.
"Forgive me Serana," said Valerica calmly. "I didn't mean any...I apologise."
There was a heavy silence between them. A silence so heavy he could feel it weighing down on his shoulders. Serana looked at Valerica, the lightning sparks on her palms. Valerica had raised a ward. Stefan, fearful of a fight had cast 'Stone flesh'. Serana heard the spell being cast and she looked back at him. It was unfair to involve him in this dispute. Furthermore, he was a mortal. Both her and Valerica were powerful mages, any spell they cast could potentially be fatal to him. She screwed up her eyes and tried to forget her anger.
Slowly the lightning on the palms of her hands began to dissipate. Valerica lowered her ward and Stefan removed his stone flesh spell.
"Forgive me Serana," said Valerica quietly. Serana gave her a dirty look and turned away. Stefan stood rooted to the spot. He looked from Valerica to Serana. Gingerly he made his way to Serana and put his arm around her. She allowed him to do so and rested her head on his shoulders.
Valerica watched her daughter being comforted by Stefan. It was clear, this was true love. Despite their enormous differences, they truly loved each other.
"I forgive you mother," said Serana quietly after a moment. She turned away and looked up at Stefan. He stroked her hair and she smiled at him. Valerica leaned her rake against a nearby tree.
"Come," she said. "I have something to show you."