Chapter Twenty-One

Dar' laid on her bedroll in the remains of the Hall of the Vigilant, realizing the truth too late. They had gotten a letter from Falk Firebeard at the Blue Palace about a summoning they had broken up. This had led them going into the catacombs under the Temple of the Divines, a place crawling with draugr and vampires. "Must have caught it there..." she said weakly, Inigo kneeling next to her in the light of the fire outside. "Why didn't you say something Dar'?" he asked, watching her look up at him with heavy eyes. "I just thought I was overtired trevan," came the reply as they heard footsteps, the blue-furred Khajiit drawing his blade which now had flames dancing along the length. "Peace Inigo," an aged voice said, Aranea Ienith stepping into view and holding her hands up before going to her friend's side, kneeling down. "Dar'Mora?" she asked softly, watching her gaze look up. "It's going to be all right-Azura foresaw this." She looked between them. "Something threatens the balance between night and day. You can stop it Dar'Mora, but not in the form you were originally born as. Tell me, are you ready to be born anew, in the light of the full moons?"

The white-furred feline reached out and took both of their hands before losing consciousness, the Dunmer looking up. "Give her some time-by the time the moon is at its highest she will reawaken."

Inigo rebuilt the fire near them after clearing bodies and debris away from an area, covering his friend with a blanket. "You mentioned you would come when it was time-is this what you meant?"

"It was-there is a being that wishes to turn day into night-who would abuse it for his own gain. Dar'Mora was there in the vision. She will ally with the one for a time before turning at the right moment, becoming stronger than them. You are not to tell her any of this however-she will discover it on her own."

"She never mentioned she was ill-she just thought she was worn out from travelling and just collapsed when we got to this area."

In her sleep, Dar' was dreaming, remembering the day she found out Ralof was going to be married and the wedding.

~Flashback~

The two Khajiit headed up the road towards Riverwood, noticing some building going on along with humming, a blonde Nord coming out to gather some nails and spotting them. "Ja'fith pal ali'jer, trevan!" he called, the white-furred feline laughing. "Warm day to you as well Ralof!" she said, coming over. "Moving out of Gerdur's are you?"

"Need to." Ralof replied, grinning broadly. "Dar', Inigo...I'm engaged."

There was a squeal and he gasped in surprise as she hugged him. "I'm thrilled for you Ralof!" she exclaimed gleefully. "Who's the lucky girl?"

"Ralof?" A female voice asked as a woman with red hair and hazel eyes came over, raising an eyebrow at what was going on. "Bella-this is Dar'Mora and Inigo," the male Nord explained as he was released, seeing his friend was embarrassed. "You remember me speaking of the one who helped me escape from Helgen?"

Dar' bowed her head. "Lovely to meet you Bella." she said, lowering her hood.

"The way Ralof speaks of you, one would think he had two sisters instead of just one." Bella grinned. "Honestly, it's wonderful to meet you both. You'll be coming to the wedding right?"

"Of course we will." The last word came out as a yelp as she was dragged off, Inigo chuckling as he set his weapons aside and began to help his friend. "Been going crazy with nothing to do?" he asked?

"Yes," Ralof answered. "She and Dar' will be chatting for a while."

In the Sleeping Giant, Bella sat down with her new friend, ordering some mead for her before looking down. "I'm sorry, I should have asked."

"It's fine Bella," the Khajiit said, taking the mug that was brought over and drinking from it. "I grew up in Whiterun Hold-kinda hard not to try mead at least once." She smiled. "You have questions"

"Ralof said there was a dragon that attacked...what was it like?"

"Well, not as scary as having to fight him up close," came the casual reply. "It was more than just a dragon-it was Alduin himself." She heard gasps and got up with her mug, facing the others in the tavern as she began her tale, the place staring and listening closely. "I know the Nords here might be a bit...affronted that a Khajiit was in Sovngarde and may not wish to believe me, but I was there and I swear to you that your honored dead are safe from Alduin's hunger-the good Stormcloaks that died in the war will be able to safely make their way to Shor's Hall once again." She smiled at the cheers, Orgnar refilling her mug; he had brought out some Honningbrew Mead he had been saving and Dar' was pleasantly tipsy, sitting down as Ralof and Inigo came in, the blue-furred Khajiit seeing the grin on his friend's face as she drained her mug before he helped her up. "Take her over to Gerdur's-there's no way you'll make it home safely," the Nord said, the pair leaving and heading up. Gerdur helping to get the white-furred feline into bed as her friend made up some stew as thanks, ladling it into bowls. "She must have had fun at the inn," he said as he set the food down, Hod digging in as his wife chuckled. "I'll bet. Dar' will be fine in the morning."

The female Khajiit woke the next morning with a groan, holding her head before downing a healing potion that had been set on the end table. She began thinking of what she could get for a gift, remembering what Ralof had told her when they entered Helgen. 'Mead with juniper berries,' she thought. 'Some bottles might still exist in Vilod's old house-likely under the floor to keep them cool.' She nodded, smirking as she pulled her boots, gloves and hood on, stretching her body. "Haven't had that much mead in a long time," she said, coming over as Gerdur brought over some braided bread. "No one's ever really heard the story of how Alduin was defeated-that was fun."

"Usually we can hear the laughter from there," the Nord replied, smiling. "It's never been so silent."

"I'd love to see a dragon!" A voice exclaimed, Frodnar coming over and grinning at them. "Up close-like you have."

Dar' chuckled as the boy's mother tried to shush him. "You never know my boy," she said. "I usually have one or two that keep an eye on me." Her tone turned serious. "Remember Frodnar-treat them with respect, whether ally or enemy. The one I flew on is my friend, not a pet like Stump or anything like that and the one on the mountain...he is very wise and has come a long way from what he once was. They have earned my trust-I have shown I am much more that merely one who will kill them-I have actively tried to protect those that wish to be left alone."

The boy nodded as she headed outside with him, Inigo waiting. "So where are we heading?" he asked, watching her grin. "Helgen," came the reply. "I got a feeling what I'm looking for is there."

They moved up the road, slipping into the town when they got there, the leader of the bandits coming over. "Lotta gold you got there little lady," he said. "How about you let us...lighten your..." he broke off at the Dragonbone blade pointed squarely at his belly, the pair wearing matching smirks. "Tell you what," the female Khajiit shot back. "You let us do what we came here to do, or I can call in a friend and we can have a repeat of what happened here." She glanced up, spotting something moving towards them fast and stepping back as a lightning bolt came down out of the sky, frying the fool instantly. The rest of the bandits launched themselves at the pair, who ducked under an arch as a lightning storm began, using their shields to deflect the attack away from them. "Strun really is protective," the blue-furred feline intoned, the dragon landing and giving a snort, watching his friends come over. "Kinzon! Paal dilon!"

"Thank you Strun-had a feeling you wouldn't take kindly to that bandit's actions." Dar' smiled at him before clambering into one of the houses, hearing a board squeak and lifting it. "Vilod's stash...and the recipe!" She packed the bottles that were undamaged and lifting up the recipe, taking out a fresh bit of paper and carefully copying what was written before putting both in her pack. They headed out after waving to the dragon.

The day of the wedding came around, the pair dressed well as they celebrated their friends, Ralof staring at the case of the mead, reading the paper before hugging them both. "You actually remembered from that day?" he asked, shaking his head at her grin. "May Mara shower you both with her love," came the reply as the two Khajiit gave them blessings of their own, standing next to Gerdur and Hod due to how their friend viewed the white-furred feline. The day was grand, food and drink flowing freely and Bella was happy to have found such a good friend, the sky lighting up overhead with fire and lightning. "Those two..." Dar' intoned, chuckling as Inigo lifted Frodnar onto his shoulders so he could have a better view. The three of them walked a little ways away, hearing the sound of a dragon landing and brilliant purple eyes watching them. The white-furred Khajiit came over, resting one hand between his horns and smiling as the young Nord boy ran over after being set down, a young girl coming over as well and seeing the smile. "Frodnar," Dar' said, looking at the girl. "Dorthe, I would like you to meet Strunkaalnaar, my good friend and ally. Strun, this is Frodnar and Dorthe."

"Young Bron," the dragon rumbled, smiling at them. "Yes, I have seen them before while watching over the area. Kul fahdon-good friends of yours?"

Dorthe came closer, blinking up at him before reaching out and touching his skin. "It's like a lizard skin," she said in awe. "He's warm."

Frodnar hugged him impulsively, surprising him. "Amazing." He looked at the Khajiit. "Does his name mean anything like yours does Dar'Mora?"

Strun chuckled. "'Strun' means 'storm', 'kaal' means 'champion' and 'naar' means peak." He explained, raising his head after he was let go to look at the boy. "To put it all together, my name means 'Champion of Storm's Peak'-it is a reference to my breathing lightning instead of fire and frost." He looked at Dar'. "As for your friend, the closest translation to what her name means is 'Kinzon Vokun' or 'sharp shadow'." The dragon turned as footsteps approached, Gerdur staring at him and seeing how gentle he was with her son and his friend. "Ah, the boy's monah...drem yol lok."

The Nord woman blinked, unsure of what was said as Inigo chuckled. "It's all right Gerdur-he's merely greeting you in the tradition of the dragon. It takes getting used to is all."

"I see," came the reply as she looked at the children. "Go on you two-it's bedtime for both of you." She watched them go before turning and bowing low to the dragon. "I thank you for allowing them to see you. They've both heard Dar's stories and wanted to see one up close."

"I was happy to." Came the reply as his friends climbed on. "Do not fear-I will get them home safely. After the last time I would...worry about them heading home in the dark."

The Nord woman waved, watching Strun take off and head for Lakeview.

~End Flashback~

There was a groan and two pairs of eyes looked over, Dar' slowly coming to and opening her own, Inigo gasping slightly at the red color before taking her hand. "Dar'?" he asked, watching her blink at him before trying to sit up, wincing. "By the Divines I ache," she muttered, Aranea holding out a flask. "It probably won't taste the best, but it's from a bandit that thought to attack me."

"Aranea?" came the question as the female Khajiit took the flask, draining it and making a face as Inigo thought for a moment. "Perhaps a horse would be a good idea from now on," he said, watching her look over. "What? Travelling will be easier and, if I know you, you don't want to have to call Odahviing and Strun all the time-or pay to use the carriages."

"It's actually a good idea Dar'Mora," the Dark Elf intoned. "Due to the wishes of Lady Azura, you shouldn't have too much of an issue, but, as vampirism falls under the purview of another Daedric Lord, there's only so much She can do."

"Rayya...might know of one," came the reply as Dar' slowly got to her feet, stretching and leaning on her friends. "We'll speak...to her after we're done nearby."

"I'll go on and get it all handled my dear," Aranea said, smiling at her as she was handed some gold, the bone ring the white-furred feline wore being slipped onto her finger. "Show this to Rayya at Lakeview Manor in Falkreath Hold-it will show her that I did indeed send you."

The elf nodded before heading out, the two Khajiit doing the same after putting out the fire and heading up towards the crypt that the Dawnguard had wanted her to check out. The first room housed a death hound and two vampires, the still-warm body of the Vigilant Tolan making her take notice. Inigo nudged her gently, nodding to the body. "He does not need it any longer," he said softly, turning away as she drained the body into a flask and drank it, suddenly feeling the rush of power and her body relaxing. "Thanks Inigo," she said softly, wiping her lips and smiling gently. "I feel much better-going to have to keep some on hand if possible-maybe a wine bottle?"

The blue-furred Khajiit grinned faintly as he fought alongside her, reaching an area surrounded by water and hearing his friend cry out as her hand was stabbed, the wound healing instantly. Dar' looked at the braziers around the area, moving them before the floor sunk and a pillar opened, the woman inside speaking to them. The white-furred feline helped her out of the crypt, heading across the land towards Solitude-and beyond.

(A.N.: Sorry this took so long to get up-my comp decided to up and die on me and before that my muse decided 'I don't want to work'.

Ta'agra Translations:

Trevan=friend

Ja'fith pal ali'jer=warm day to you

Dragon Translations:

Kinzon=sharp (meaning 'clever' in this case-Strun's nickname for Dar')

Paal dilon=enemy (is) dead

Bron=Nord

Kul fahdon=young friend

Monah=mother

Drem-yol-lok=peace-fire-sky (basically a dragon's greeting)

Here's hoping the next chapter comes out much easier!)