Chapter Fourteen

They were back in Whiterun late the next day, entering Dragonsreach. Dar' walked up to Vignar, exhaling. "I have need of your help my friend." She said, watching him look at her, his eyes widening as she told him. "I must have misheard you. I thought you asked me to help you trap a dragon in my palace." He said, chuckling weakly. "It's the only way to stop the dragons my Jarl." She replied, watching the old man sigh. "What you're asking for is insane. Impossible! Why let a dragon into the heart of my city when we've been working so hard to keep them out?"

"It's worse than you know-Alduin has returned." The female Khajiit explained, watching him blanch. "Alduin?" he gasped. "The World-Eater himself? But... how can we fight him? Doesn't his return mean it's the end times?"

"Maybe so, but I'd rather go down fighting, wouldn't you?"

Vignar chuckled at that. "The heart of a Nord beats under that fur," he said. "You speak true Dar'Mora. Now, what's this nonsense about trapping a dragon in my palace?"

Dar' outlined her plan, watching him nod. "Then Whiterun will stand with you, my dear." He said. "We will take the risk, and gain the glory, whether it be in victory or defeat! So what's the plan, then? How do you intend to lure a dragon into the trap?"

"I need to work that out-I have someone I can ask."

"Well, I'll leave that to you." Came the reply. "I trust you know your business. Probably for the best. It will give me time to see if that old trap still works-and break the news to the men."

The pair headed out, returning to the Throat, the female Khajiit looking at the dragon. "I need a way to lure a dragon to Dragonsreach," she said. "Do you have any ideas of how I could?"

"Hmm, yes," Paarthurnax said, eyeing her. "I have been pondering on exactly that question. Lingrah morah. I have tasted the voices of Alduin's allies on the wind. Pogaan nahlaas, vokrii wah jun. There is one who I remember well. Odahviing. He will tell us where Alduin has gone."

"Um, we have his name, but how will this bring him to Dragonsreach?" Dar' asked, confusion in her eyes.

"Ah, I forget how little you know of the dov. Our names are always made up of three Rotmulaag-Words of Power. Take my name: Paar-Thur-Nax. It is a Thu'um-a Shout, yes?"

"For what reason would he come?"

"He does not have to, but Odahviing-he is, how you say headstrong? Boziik. Rash. Even among the dov he was known for this. He will not resist the challenge of your Voice Dar'Mora. He will come. Now-hear his name. Odahviing. Taste it on the wind. Od-Ah-Viing. Know it in your su'um. Od-Ah-Viing!"

At the last repetition, Dar' understood what he meant, looking up at him. "So, would I be able to call you if I roared your name?" she asked cheekily, the dragon cuffing her playfully with one wing and knocking her over. "You might," he grinned. "I do fly out and around some nights, but not often."

"Paarthurnax, you are welcome to stop by my home at Lakeview." She said, getting up. "I'm just not sure of the protocol of having a dragon to tea."

The words gained her another wing-cuff. "Go Dar'Mora-tinvaak can wait until after Alduin has been dealt with."

The pair left, heading back to Whiterun. "I think you have lost your mind a little." Inigo said, watching her grin at him. "I trust Paarthurnax Inigo," she said, turning serious. "I have been thinking-I don't want to put you in danger when I battle Alduin-I don't know how that fight's going to go."

He nodded. "Until that point Dar', I'm staying with you." The male Khajiit smiled at her, the two of them chatting before reaching Dragonsreach, Vignar getting up from his throne after spotting them. "We're ready Dar'Mora." He said as she headed for the back porch, going to the very edge before shouting the name, the group waiting. There was a roar, Odahviing swooping down and grabbing the soldier that had been near her before hovering, not batting an eye as Dragonrend forced him to land. "Dovahkiin!" he roared. "Here I am!"

The group backed up, the female Khajiit Shouting at him to keep his focus on her before stopping. 'That's it...' she thought, seeing him in position. "NOW!" she yelled, the trap coming down and fastening around the dragon's neck, holding him fast while pinning him. "Looks like it's holding!" the guard called from above, grinning. "Nid!" Odahviing groaned. "Horvutah med kodaav. Caught like a bear in a trap." He looked at her. "Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin." He noticed her looking at him. "Ah. I forget. You do not have the dovah speech. My...eagerness to meet you in battle was my undoing, Dovahkiin. I salute your, hmm, low cunning in devising such a grahmindol-stratagem." He watched her huff at his words. "Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?"

"You speak the true word." She said. "Where does he hide?"

"Rinik vazah. An apt phrase. Alduin bovul. One reason I came to your call was to test your Thu'um myself. Many of us have begun to question Alduin's lordship, whether his Thu'um was truly the strongest. Among ourselves, of course. Mu ni meyye. None were yet ready to openly defy him."

"You were telling me how to find Alduin?" she asked politely.

"Unslaad krosis. Innumerable pardons. I digress. He has travelled to Sovngarde to regain his strength, devouring the sillesejoor-the souls of the mortal dead. A privilege he jealously guards. His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, one of his ancient fanes high in the eastern mountains. Mindoraan, pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there. Zu'u lost ofan hin laan...now that I have answered your question, you will allow me to go free?

"Will you swear to serve me?

"Aam? Serve you? No. Ni tiid. If and when you defeat Alduin, I will reconsider." Odahviing thought for a moment. "Hmm...krosis. There is one detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention."

"Tell me what you know then."

"Only this. You have the Thu'um of a dovah, but without the wings of one, you will never set foot in Skuldafn. Of course, I could fly you there. But not while imprisoned like this."

The Khajiit nodded. "Very well-I will free you if you swear to take me to this Skuldafn."

"Onikaan koraav gein miraad. It is wise to recognize when you only have one choice. And you can trust me. Zu'u ni tahrodiis. Alduin has proven himself unworthy to rule. I go my own way now. Free me, and I will carry you to Skuldafn."

Dar' headed up the stairs, pulling the chain and releasing him to the gasps below, Farengar screaming as the dragon glared at him for being a little too close as she came down, looking at Inigo. "Say a prayer for me at the temple here, then head up to High Hrothgar." She said. "I will meet you there upon my return."

He nodded, pulling her into a hug. "Be careful Dar'," he said, his eyes focused on her own with an intensity she saw, but chose not to read into at the moment, blushing. "Don't worry Inigo, I will be back."

He smiled at her as he let go, watching her join the dragon on the balcony.

"Saraan uth-I await your command, as promised." Odahviing said. "Are you ready to see the world as only a dovah can?"

"I'm ready-let's go." She replied, looking at him.

"Zok brit uth! I warn you, once you've flown the skies of Keizaal, your envy of the dov will only increase."

She climbed onto him after he lowered his head and held onto his horns as he launched into the air. "Amativ! Mu bo kotin stinselok." He roared as they soared off, the blue-furred Khajiit watching them go before leaving to follow her wishes.

-*Timeskip*-

Two days later, Inigo looked up at the sound of roaring, Arngeir coming to him. "Sounds like she has returned." He said gently as he glanced towards the ceiling from the table they sat at. The Khajiit managed to keep his seat until he heard the door open, standing up and running to her, tackling her in glee. "Dar'!"

There was an 'oof' below him, Dar' having had just removed her goggles. "Um Inigo?" she asked. "While I am glad to see you, you are kind of crushing me."

He got up, helping her to her feet and walking with her back to the others, the old man looking at her. "Is it done?"

She nodded, feeling run down. "I went to Sovngarde and killed him there."

"Perhaps it was all worth it in the end." Came the reply. "Breath and focus, Dar'. You are welcome to return here should you wish it. For now, I suggest you get some rest."

The white-furred Khajiit bowed before the pair left, managing to make it to Ivarstead before setting up camp across the bridge. "I've missed you Dar'," Inigo said as he set up the tent, watching her start the fire and listening to her tell of the place. "I missed this place and you though."

"Where will we go now?" he asked, cooking some salmon up.

"Well, I have things to do for the Guild...and I need to find those books for Urag..."

She fell silent, thinking about when she returned to Skyrim.

-*Flashback*-

She blinked, finding herself back at the Throat and surrounded by dragons that were looking at her before roaring, listening to what they said before flying off, Paarthurnax watching her turn to him. "So, it is done." He said. "Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more-he who came before all others and has always been."

"Alduin brought this on himself." She said.

"Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu-our father Akatosh. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."

"The world is a better place without Alduin."

"Perhaps. At least it will continue to exist. Grik los lein. And, as you told me once, the next world will have to take care of itself. Ful nii laas. Even I cannot see past Time's ending." He sighed. "But I forget myself. Krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have one a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah-one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savor your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write on the currents of Time."

With that he launched into the air. "Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age!" he hovered above Dar'. "Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen-rightness of my Thu'um. But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well Dar'Mora!"

He flew off, Odahviing landing next to her and watching him go before turning to her. "Pruzah wundunne wah Wuth Gein." He said. "I wish the old one luck on his...quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin's lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax's 'Way of the Voice'. As for myself? You've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri Dar'Mora. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um." He smiled, watching her reach out and scratch his cheek. "Zu'u Odahviing. Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can."

The Khajiit nodded. "Kogaan Odahviing," she replied, bowing. "For everything."

He nodded, watching her head down the mountain before flying off.

-*End Flashback*-

Dar' chuckled, glancing up at her companion. 'I am happy with him,' she thought, taking the salmon and eating it happily. "It's good to be back," she intoned, looking up at the aurora above them in the sky.

"I thought I would have gone mad," was the reply. "Arngeir could see that being away from you was hard on me."

She reached over, touching his hand gently. "I apologize Inigo..." she looked down. "I saw Legate Rikke in Sovngarde."

"The Imperial that was with Tullius?" he asked, eyeing her as she nodded, leaning against him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. They chatted into the night, seeing dragons wheeling overhead before going to bed to prepare for a new day.

(A.N.: And that ends the Main Questline. There's still more to come.

Dragon Translations [some closer to the bottom I had to run with the translator over at Thuum {dot org} so the translations aren't as...clear]:

Lingrah morah=long contemplation

Pogaan nahlaas, vokrii wah jun=many alive (trying) to restore their king (best translation I can come up with)

Tinvaak=conversation

Nid=no

Horvutah med kodaav=trapped like a bear

Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki=my most eagerness (to) meet (you) brought my defeat

Grahmindol=stratagem

Hind siiv Alduin=(you) wish to find Alduin

Rinik vazah=very true

Alduin Bovul=Alduin fled (from you)

Mu ni meyye=we (are) not fools

Unslaad krosis=unending sorrow

Mindoraan, pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til=as you know, all his dragon-loyalists (are) mustered there

Zu'u lost ofan hin laan=I have given your request

Aam=serve

Ni tiid=not time

Onikaan koraav gein miraad=wisdom sees the one doorway

Zu'u ni tahrodiis=I'm not treacherous

Saraan uth=await command

Zok brit uth=most beautiful command

Keizaal=Skyrim

Amativ! Mu bo kotin stinselok=Onward! We fly into sky's freedom

Dilon=dead

Alduin wahlaan daanii=Alduin created (his) fate

Bormahu=Akatosh

Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah=I'm sad at his fall

Grik los lein=such is the world

Ful nii laas=so is life (not quite sure on this one)

So los mid fahdon=sorrowful at loyal companion (again, not sure)

Sahrot krongrah=mighty victory

Goraan=(I feel) young

Dovahhe=dragons

Vahzen=truth, righteousness

Pruzah wundunne wah Wuth Gein=good travel to (the) Old One

Thuri=(you are) overlord

Kogaan=in this context it does not mean 'blessing', but 'thank you')