Chapter 57

Invited and Uninvited Dinner Party

Rona stood up slowly, still holding the pelvic bone and said hesitantly, "Uh... I don't think I can help you with anything. Here," she made to hand him the bone she was still holding so she could quickly gather her own things and move along. She loved to help people, definitely, but this situation made all the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and gave her a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"No, no! I can't take it back. You keep it," he insisted.

She shook her head and said, "Really, I'm very sorry. I have to go." She knelt down again, setting the bone aside and started to quickly gather her things as the frightening bosmer started to become agitated.

He waved his hands animatedly as he leaned over her and cried, "Wait, hear my plea! My master, he is lost between worlds and I cannot bring him back!"

She moved faster then, stuffing the produce and meat into her basket and apologized again, "Sorry for bumping into you."

She turned away and started down the path towards her homestead when he quickly caught up with her and, for lack of a better word, stared right at her pleading, "My master has abandoned me! Abandoned his people and nothing I say can change his mind."

"I'm very sorry to hear that," she quickened her pace, debating on leading this lunatic back to her home and deciding against it, she passed right by her house and headed for the Blue Palace instead.

He continued following and going on and on with his insane tale, "Now he refuses to even see me. He says I interrupt his vacation! It's been so many years... Won't you please help Dragonborn?"

She slowed a bit and turned to look at him curiously, but then shook her head. Everyone there knew she was the Dragonborn, that was common knowledge. But how a man who clearly could not see somehow knew who she was confounded her. How he so easily followed her too without any eyeballs to speak of was mind-boggling in itself. She said again, "I'm really very sorry, I have to go!"

She broke into a sprint, she was nearly at the Blue Palace when all of a sudden the bosmer came around the corner of a house and threw his hands out, crying, "You just don't understand! Without him, I am not free! Without him, I am doomed! All of his empire shall fall into chaos!"

Rona's pulse quickened and she knew some sort of magic had to be at hand here, for him to move that quickly, to be right in front of her like that after she'd run so fast was alarming.

She screamed at him, "I can't help you! Please leave me alone!" Rona skirted around him and chanced a glance back as she went, making sure he stayed put where he was and he merely watched her go with a sad look on his face.

She quickly stepped into the Blue Palace and leaned against a wall catching her breath and looking around warily for the creepy madman, though there was no sign of him. She heard a pair of familiar voices at the top of the stairs in the throne room.

"Dagny dear, get your cloak, were leaving for the Bard's College in a moment," Elisif said.

"Okay! I'll be right back," she heard Dagny say excitedly.

Rona stepped into the throne room and looked up to see Jarl Elisif descending the spiral staircase with her housecarl following close behind. Elisif spotted Rona and smiled, "Ah Lady Rona! It's so delightful to see you again!"

Rona returned her smile, trying to shake off the anxious feelings from her earlier encounter with the madman, "And you as well Jarl Elisif. How are the children doing?"

"Oh wonderfully!" Then she said in a whisper, "They've been taking the loss of their father really well all things considered. I was so sad to hear what happened," she brought her voice up again, "But we're keeping them busy. My steward Falk Firebeard has taken little Frothar under his wing and he's been quite interested in learning more about the political affairs of palace life. He's quite the quick study. Dagny however simply cannot stop singing! She has such a lovely voice, so we got her set up over at the Bard's College as an up and coming prodigy of sorts. She's really enjoying it. I've been spending quite a bit of my own time with her," Elisif's expression softened as she said, "It's very sweet. She almost treats me like her mother."

Rona beamed at her and was glad to hear it, then asked, "And Nelkir?"

"Oh! He's been training with the Companions. He rarely spends any time here, only to eat and sleep, otherwise he's up and off to the crenellationsto train every day. We even got the local armor smith to forge him some armor and weapons for his size."

Rona felt very uplifted at this news. "I'm so glad," she said, "Is he over at the crenellations now?"

Elisif tittered, "Yes, that he is. Got up bright and early this morning, had a tall glass of milk and some sweet bread and hurried off," she glanced back at her housecarl and added, "Of course Bolgeir made sure to escort him there. Naturally we're keeping their safety as our top priority."

Bolgeir smirked and said, "With how quick that boy is picking up the sword he'll be the one protecting me instead."

Dagny appeared at the top of the stairs then, looking all dressed up with her shoulder length dark brown hair braided back around her head. She had on a beautiful blue dress and a silver cloak draped over her shoulders. The minute she saw Rona her eyes sparkled with delight and she hurried down the stairs and gave her a big hug shouting, "Rona! We missed you!" She glanced around, "Where's Bishop and Karnwyr?"

Rona smiled at her and thought for a moment, remembering Bishop was still fast asleep after a very passionate night with her, then lied, "Uh, they're both out hunting right now," then she changed the subject, "Jarl Elisif just told me you're a member of the Bard's College."

Dagny nodded fiercely, practically leaping up with joy, "Yes! Yes! Miss Inge has been teaching me to play the lute and Lady Ateia has been training my voice! When I get good enough they'll let me perform with them."

"That's wonderful Dagny! I'm so happy for you," she said sincerely.

Dagny asked keenly, "Are you going to stay in the city for a while?"

"Yeah, we'll be here for another three weeks or so."

"Hooray!" She cheered happily.

Rona walked with them, heading back towards the college and her own house. She kept an eye out for the madman but to her relief didn't see any sign of him. She kept pace alongside Elisif while Dagny held her hand, skipping as she walked with them. When they got up to the college Rona said to Dagny, "My house is right there, next to the college. So if you ever want to come visit me you'll know where I am."

Dagny gave her another big hug and said, "We'll all come and then we can sing songs together!"

Rona smiled at her and said, "I'd love that." Dagny waved goodbye and hurried off into the college.

Rona turned to Elisif then and said, "Jarl Elisif, I just wanted to let you know... I made the offering for you."

Elisif sighed and gave a weak smile, "I'm so glad. May I ask at which Shrine you left it?"

"The one on High Hrothgar, along the Seven Thousand Steps."

A tear shimmered at her eye and she seemed happy but forlorn as she said, "A very peaceful place for it. I'm so glad," then she said, "I heard about what you did in Whiterun. How you tried to avert the Stormcloaks... how you tried to kill Ulfric."

Rona turned her face away and admitted, "That wasn't because I chose sides, I hope you understand. I did it to try and protect the people of Whiterun."

Elisif nodded, "I know. Still, it was a very brave thing you did."

Rona disagreed. It was a very stupid thing, what she did. Bishop made that all too clear when they last discussed it. But she kept those thoughts to herself and said, "Please take care of them, the children."

"I always will," Elisif assured her, "You know, Torygg and I wanted to start a family of our own. We had... difficulty conceiving. Now though," she looked on at the door to the college with a gentle smile, "It's almost as if, despite the horrific nature of the events that brought them here, they're like my own," she laughed, "I even read to them every night, tuck them in, and make them clean up their rooms."

Rona laughed too just imagining these once very spoiled children being told to pick up after themselves. "Do they take that well?" She asked.

"Oh, they grumble about it, of course, but they always do it. They're very sweet," Elisif grasped Rona's hand and said, "I know Nelkir is your brother too. Miss Aela told me all about it, of your mother's... relationship with their father. I just want you to know, I'll always treat him like my own son, that I'll look after him for you while you... do what you must do."

Rona's heart twist in her chest and she found herself pulling the Jarl into a hug as her housecarl stood by, twitching, not knowing what to do. Rona whispered, "Thank you so much Jarl Elisif. I really can't thank you enough for your generosity and kindness."

Elisif returned the hug and said, "Of course," they pulled apart and she said, "Please take care of yourself too Lady Rona."

Rona nodded and Elisif and her housecarl left her, entering into the college.

She returned home and started putting away the food when Bishop came up the stairs from the cellar, hair wet and bare-chested with only his trousers on, "Hey, where'd you head off to this morning?"

"Just did a little shopping," she said, "Figured we should stock up while we're here." She opened a cupboard to put a sack of potatoes away and quickly leapt back with a shrill scream, "AAHH!"

She gave Bishop a start, making him jump and he barked, "GODS WOMAN! Don't scare me like that! What? You see a skeever or something?"

Rona just stared at the pelvic bone sitting in the cupboard and Bishop came around to see what startled her. He frowned at it, "The fuck is that?"

Rona swallowed hard and exhaled, "I don't know."

He glanced over at her, he could hear her lying a mile away. "You're a terrible liar Ladyship. Now tell me what's really going on."

She sat down on a stool at the counter pressing her head into her hands and told him all about the crazed madman she met in the marketplace with no eyes and told him how he'd appeared right in front of her as she tried to get away.

Bishop looked worried and muttered, "Ladyship... you don't think that little mage put a curse or a spell on us or anything?"

She scoffed, "A curse?"

He crossed his arms, "Yeah. I don't know, some kind of magic shit."

"I really doubt it," her gaze rest back over onto the strange bone and she shook her head, "I don't know what this is."

Bishop seemed afraid to touch the bone and muttered, "We'll, uh, just leave this here for now." They both came to a silent agreement to ignore it for the time being. He closed the cupboard and went ahead putting away the rest of the food while she tried to relax and shake off her anxiousness. She started telling him about the kids and how well they were all doing while staying with Jarl Elisif.

"I want to head up to the crenellations and see Nelkir and the other Companions today," she said.

Bishop finished putting everything away and pulled out a couple of sweet rolls, tossing her one and biting into his and said, "Sounds great. Let's eat and head over there."

They had a quick breakfast and Bishop finished dressing and they both armed themselves and went off to the crenellations where they found plenty of Legionnaires training outside. Off in a secluded corner were the four Companions and Nelkir. The boy was dressed head to toe in steel forged armor made perfect for his size and he held a small sword in hand. He was practicing fiercely against a training dummy while Vilkas swept around him commenting on his stance and movements.

Aela spotted the two of them and called, "Hey! You both made it!"

The others turned to look over and Rona got a full view of Nelkir's new, much shorter haircut, shaped nearly the same as Bishop's own style but dark red in color. The boy smiled broadly at them and ran over to greet them.

Vilkas barked at him, "Sheath your weapon new blood! Don't forget the basics!"

Nelkir stopped suddenly and carefully slid his sword into its scabbard before hurrying over to them again. They met him in the middle and Bishop threw his hands to his hips grinning at the boy, "Well look at you, kid! You shine up nicely. Glad to see they finally cut that mop off your head too."

Nelkir beamed at him and said, "Uh yeah, I cut it off 'cause it kept getting in the way. Kind of messed it up too, Lady Elisif fixed it for me though."

Rona went in and gave her little brother a tight squeeze and said, "So glad to see you!" She pulled back, with her hands still on his shoulders and couldn't stop grinning at him, "Just look at you!"

He blushed a bit and she noticed the freckles over his nose that were once hardly noticeable since he'd spent most of his time inside a palace. Now though he was sporting a tan and looking much stronger even after only a few days in Solitude.

"Yeah, he's going to be a mighty warrior someday," Vilkas said.

"Definitely has the spirit of one," Aela added, "More than any of the other whelps in our charge. At least he gets up bright and early to train," she looked over at Athis and raised a brow at him, smirking.

Athis grumbled, "Well if I was a spritely little kid again, then sure, I'd gladly hop out of bed on my two good legs and come out to train at the ass crack of dawn, Harbinger," he added the last bit with a sneer.

Aela just let out a hearty laugh and looked them both over again, "So, how was your visit with your father? Any good news?" Rona's face fell and Bishop averted his eyes. Aela frowned, "Nothing good I take it?"

"Nothing new, unfortunately," Rona said, "We're still wandering around in the dark when it comes to the scrolls."

"Sorry to hear that girl," Aela said sympathetically.

Rona shrugged, "We've got something else in the works, but won't be able to follow that lead for another few weeks."

"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Aela asked with a mischievous smile.

"Top secret!" Rona said smiling.

"Aw… was hoping we could join you and have some fun for once," Aela moped.

"Trust me," Bishop said, "This won't be any fun at all."

The Companions looked at them curiously for a moment but before they could pry any further Rona said to Bishop, "Hey, since we're here, how about I show you a few tricks using dual blades?"

"Yeah alright," he drew his blades. Nelkir went back to training with Vilkas while Aela and Farkas took their energy out with some archery practice. Bishop was stunned to see Farkas had actually improved and was at the very least hitting the target or close to it. Athis decided he'd rather go off and day drink at the tavern and wandered off the grounds.

Rona and Bishop found a spot near where Nelkir and Vilkas were training and she showed him proper stance when holding both blades. Bishop struggled a lot at first because he was used to sword fighting only with his dominant hand, so wielding a blade in his non-dominant hand was awkward for him. After a few pitiful tries and a dangerous moment when his brother's sword went flying too close to Vilkas who shouted, "Hey! Watch it!" Rona decided to try something different.

"Ok," she said, "We're going to do this instead. Sheath one of the swords for now. We're going to train your left hand."

He put away Brandr's sword and took out Jules' sword holding it in his left and grumbled, "It feels so awkward. How do you do this?"

"You have to get used to it," she said.

She worked with him for several hours, practicing on the training dummy. Bishop got frustrated a few times but Rona was patient with him and let him shake off the agitation or take a walk around if he had to. They both worked up a sweat as he finally started to get a real feel for it. Eventually he asked, "So when are you going to teach me how to run up walls and fly through the air like you do?"

Rona laughed and said, "Not until you learn how to use magic or shouting."

He smirked and Nelkir who was heavily drenched in sweat from his own training shouted, "I want to see! I barely got to see you fight at all."

Farkas lowered his bow and said, "It's quite impressive. I wouldn't mind seeing the Dragonborn's moves again."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Vilkas added with a laugh, "She's nimble on her feet. Let's see some of those wild acrobatics Rona!"

Rona frowned and said, "No, we're just training for now. Maybe another time."

"Oh come on girl!" Aela called, "Look, you've already got an audience," she waved a hand out to all the interested Legionnaires who'd overheard them and were standing by, paused from their own training and watching expectantly.

She blushed, shaking her head and threw her hands up, "No! It's ok! Really. I'm pretty tired already, besides I don't have anything to fight and it's better with a real moving target."

"I'll spar with you Dragonborn," a voice carried over from the entrance to Castle Dour. They all looked over to see General Tullius standing by with his Legate, the nord woman Rona saw with him last time they met. General Tullius added, "If you're not too tired that is."

He didn't smirk or sneer when he said it. He just sounded serious. He was so unlike Ulfric in that regard. It was almost hard to stay mad at the old Imperial. Almost.

She narrowed her eyes slightly and sized him up. She started to wonder how she would fare against him in armed combat. Would he be as quick as Ulfric? As strong?

"Well Lady Rona? I could use a good stretch after spending all day planning tactical strategies and staring at a damn map," he bowed slightly, "It would be my honor to duel you."

Bishop gave her a side eye glance which neither said yes or no, only waited for her reply. She took a step forward and said, "Alright. I'll face you."

He smiled kindly and said, "Good, good."

The Legionnaires all stepped back, making plenty of space for them. Rona heard Aela laughing lightly and saying, "Can't wait to see this."

The two of them stood center in the open pavilion and she drew her two blades. They shimmered in the sunlight, solid dragon bone, still as sharp as the day she received them. General Tulius drew a single steel short sword, which surprised her. He had no shield either, just his weapon. He said, "Just swords then. No shouts."

She smirked at him, "You do know Ulfric can shout too, right?"

"Hmph," he grinned, "I'm aware. Though I doubt he's on par with the Dragonborn herself and I'd rather not have to treat third degree burns today."

"Right," she agreed, "No shouting. Just swords."

(The song is My Freedom by Two Steps From Hell)

The wind picked up around them slightly and the sound of strings played over the sky. It was an uplifting and playful tune, one that matched her feelings. She wasn't afraid and she didn't allow herself to feel angry. Now she just wanted to see his skills and to test her own strength.

She spun her swords swiftly in hand, as General Tullius paused looking around and listening for a moment.

"Sorry," she called, "I get a little energized when I'm about to face a strong opponent."

"This music... You're doing this?"

"That's right," she confirmed.

He chuckled slightly then said, "Well then. Let's fight."

The chanting of a choir sprang forth as a woman vocalized through the sky. The two of them stared each other down for a moment, Tullius holding his blade at the ready and Rona spinning hers. Then she kicked off the ground and sprint for him. He was ready for it and she wasn't trying to kill him. Their blades met with a loud CLASH! And he pushed her back, throwing her off.

Rona went in again swiftly, only this time as he made to meet her blades she leapt right over him, somersaulting through the air and landing behind him. She spun on toe, making to meet her sword with his armor and was surprised when her blade met his again.

He grinned at her, "You're quite talented. I've only met one other person who could move like that." She kicked back quickly and looked him over. He was a lot faster than she'd expected. And to know someone else with moves like hers? He was more prepared than she anticipated as well. She would just have to be faster.

He caught her completely off guard as he lunged for her. She feinted to the side and threw both blades up as a shield and his short sword met with them for just a second before he bound back and lunged again. They danced this way for some time, with him getting in the first move and her shielding before she could even think to try anything.

His fighting style was very similar to her own. Fast, swift movements, keeping an eye peeled for any sort of opening. Keeping the target stuck deflecting. It was very different from Ulfric's powerful and bulky moves, where he would use the physical force of his large body to easily defend while their opponent tired and then when the moment was right, he'd rush in and blow them over with brute strength and maybe even a shout.

Rona was getting tired of this deflect and parry dance with Tullius. On his next hit with her blades she lunged herself forward, taking a leaf out of Ulfric's book and threw Tullius completely off balance for just a moment. In that second he made to steady himself and lunge again but she was already leaping back quickly, spinning through the air with fast backward somersaults. He didn't stop though, racing after her.

She was nearing a wall however, which was her intention. As Tullius nearly drew upon her, thinking he had her cornered she made her final leap just a bit higher than the last, angling herself so she'd fly through the air and meet the wall feet first. She kicked off it spinning through the air again as Tullius met wall himself. She landed behind him and sprint forward making their blades clash again, only this time he was the one who was cornered.

He grinned at her as their blades scraped sharply against one another, "Damn girl. You're a lot faster than my old friend, got a few more tricks up your sleeve too. Alright. I secede. You win this round."

She pulled away from him and sheathed her blades. She smiled inwardly, glad to see she wasn't completely hopeless against the two men leading this war. Though she found herself worried for Tullius. If she could beat him like that in armed combat but she couldn't even beat Ulfric, how would he fare against the man himself? Just capture him in another ambush instead?

Tullius took a breath and wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "I'm wondering if I can challenge you to a real fight."

She looked at him curiously and asked, "A real fight?"

"One where you don't hold back. Where you use your shouts - everything you've got. If I'm ever to face Ulfric, I'll need to know what I'm up against."

She was surprised at him. He'd risk his own life just to get the experience?

"That's too dangerous," she said, "And Ulfric, from what I know, only knows one shout."

"The one he used against you in Whiterun?"

She gave a side eye glance over at the others and Aela just shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. They hadn't told him. Rona scowled at the General, "How do you know about that?"

Tullius scoffed and said, "It was all we could do to keep Ulfric from blowing his own horn over it. He told us all about it in lengthy detail from the safety of Whiterun's walls of course. I have to admit though, it was highly amusing watching Ulfric boast about having captured the Dragonborn when we arrived, only for him to find you'd escaped right out from under his arrogant nose," Tullius chuckled, "I did enjoy watching his rage boil to the surface when his men told him so. Any chance you'll tell me the story yourself, perhaps over dinner tonight?"

She blushed and cringed at him all at once. He's flirting with me!?

He waved a hand, realizing how that sounded, "No! I didn't mean... Not like that. Gods, girl. You're just... a girl! No, I mean you and the Companions," he motioned to the others, "You're all welcome to join me for dinner this evening. I want to formally... to sincerely apologize for what happened in Helgen. I got heated the last time we spoke and you were right. Offering gold as if that were enough to assuage what happened to you, that was thoughtless."

She studied him warily and asked, "What's your angle? For me to join the Legion? Because the answer is still no."

He took a breath and sighed, "No, I don't expect you to join the Legion Lady Rona. I only wish to talk, to apologize and at the very least come to an understanding. Maybe find a way to let bygones be bygones. I know your business is with the dragon menace right now and I respect that. I just want you to know that if you ever need our help in that fight, you have the Legion at your back."

She was stunned. She didn't know what to say and thought for a moment, taking that notion in. With the Legion by her side, she wouldn't have to go in fighting these dragons all alone, she might even stand a chance against them... against Alduin.

Bishop appeared then, as he often did, right out of thin air it seemed and he crossed his arms, snarling, "You mean the same Legion that just so happened to completely vanish when thirty or more dragons attacked Solitude three months ago?"

He had a point. Rona could always count on him to step in and be her voice of reason. She stood by him, touching a hand to his arm in thanks for speaking up. His eyes met hers as they shared a reassuring glance.

Tullius lowered his head and said, "You're right. The Legion was at its most shameful that day. I was with Jarl Elisif at the time, working as security on her behalf. If I wasn't responsible for her safety then... I would have gone out there myself and joined you Lady Rona. I can assure you, any and all deserters were immediately discharged dishonorably from our ranks. The soldiers with us now, they know what it means to fight dragons. We've trained them."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"After the incident at the ball I made sure to introduce our men to the beasts. We've sought them out in their territories and taken them down," Tullius said unwavering.

Rona actually felt impressed. She wondered if Ulfric had ever done the same with his men.

"So, I would ask you again," Tullius said, "Will you and you comrades join me for dinner this evening? No hidden agendas, no expectations."

Rona looked to Bishop for answers but he simply said, "It's up to you Ladyship."

She turned back to Tullius, twisting her mouth before she said, "Alright. I accept your offer."

Tullius smiled and bowed politely, "Thank you Lady Rona. Please, you and your comrades may meet me here at Castle Dour at eight this evening."

Bishop and Rona offered to walk Nelkir back to the Blue Palace at sundown as the other Companions left to wash up and try to look their best for the fancy dinner they were expecting. They were all quite excited for it too, looking forward to eating more than the gruel they served in the Legion barracks. Farkas even pined on about how much he missed old Tilma's cooking and the bigger and softer beds in Jorrvaskr.

As the two of them escorted Nelkir along the road the boy looked up and said, "Do I get to come too? I'm a Companion now."

"Sorry kid," Bishop said, "This is a dinner for the adults. Got a lot of boring stuff to talk about that wouldn't interest you anyhow."

"Aw," Nelkir whined then he looked back up at Bishop and said proudly, "Been drinking my milk every day."

Bishop grinned with a laugh, "Yeah? That's smart. Got any new chest hairs yet?"

Nelkir frowned, "Uh... no I don't think so."

"Well keep it up," he said, "in a few years you'll wake up and have hair in places you couldn't even dream of."

Nelkir frowned at him and seemed to be second guessing his new breakfast choices.

Rona asked him, "How've you been getting along with your brother and sister?"

"Dagny's always singing now. She's really annoying, did you really have to teach her that stuff?"

Rona smirked at him, "You know singing isn't all that bad. It can bring together your comrades and raise their morale."

"Or give you powers right? Like that song from earlier. You did that?"

She nodded, "Yes, but uh... that's not something I can teach you. It just comes with being... Dragonborn."

"I wish I could shout like you. Then maybe Vilkas would let me fight a real dragon," he got excited as he said, "You know we saw one on our way here!"

Rona went wide-eyed, "You saw a dragon?"

"Where at?" Bishop asked.

"It was out in the marshes by Morthal. I wanted to go fight it, but Aela and Vilkas wouldn't let me."

Bishop snorted, "Damn right they didn't. Trust me kid, you do not want to fight one of those giant, fire breathing lizards. They're nasty."

Rona said, "I'm hoping I can rid Skyrim of them before you'll ever have to face one Nelkir."

"That's no fun," Nelkir pouted, "How am I supposed to prove I'm a real warrior if I've never fought a dragon before?"

Bishop pat him on the shoulder as they entered the Blue Palace and said, "Trust me kid, there's way more to being a warrior than taking down dragons."

They stepped into the foyer and saw Frothar and the Jarl's steward walk by. He was talking animatedly to the finely dressed boy who looked up at him with deep interest in whatever he was rambling on about. Rona noticed Frothar's eyes meet Nelkir's then and he let a furious glare escape his eyes before turning away again to focus his attention back on the steward. The two of them disappeared up the stairs and Bishop looked down at Nelkir who was trying very hard and failing to hide his troubled expression now that he had no long bangs to cover his face.

"The hell was that?" Bishop asked, "Why'd your brother just look at you like that?"

Nelkir's mouth twitched, like he wanted to speak but he just turned his head down more. Rona knelt down to his height and grasped his arm looking up into his eyes, "Hey, what's going on between you two?"

He looked really upset all of a sudden as his brows knit together tightly and he muttered, "Frothar knows... he knows what I did."

Rona looked him over with concern and realized he was speaking about what happened with his father. "You know that wasn't your fault," she said.

He pressed his lips together into a deeper frown and he said, "I know! But... he doesn't believe me. Said he knew I did it because I came running down with that sword and..." He trailed off. Rona realized then that him living with this and having his own brother hate him for it must have been so traumatizing. He was far too young to have to bear this kind of burden on his shoulders but she didn't know how to lift it from him.

Bishop rest his hand on the boy's shoulder and said, "Hey. You're not the only one living with a weight like that kid. I want you to know that."

Nelkir looked up at him, his lip trembling slightly.

Then to Rona's astonishment Bishop told him one of his greater secrets, "I killed my father too and I wasn't even possessed." Nelkir's mouth parted slightly and he just stared up at him.

Finally, Nelkir asked, "Why did you kill him?"

Bishop said, "It's a damn long story. Maybe I'll tell you about it, when you're older," he paused, crossing his arms and said, "Don't let the grief get to you. Keep on fighting and stay strong. Don't worry about your brother either. If he won't understand or let it go well... you don't need him holding you back. Keep moving forward. You're making some serious progress and you're going to do a lot of great things someday, I can tell. And you want to know something else? Your old man? He's watching you from Sovngarde, more proud of you than you'll ever know."

Nelkir's lip perked up into a gentle smile and he nodded. He seemed to be feeling better at Bishop's assuring words and they escorted him up to his shared room with his brother. Frothar was yet to be seen, probably still with the steward somewhere. Rona tucked Nelkir into bed and he asked her, "Hey Rona?"

"Hm?"

"Can you sing me a song?"

She smiled at him and sat down on the bed next to him and asked, "What do you want to hear?"

His eyes darted away from hers and he asked, "Did our mother ever sing?"

She smirked, "She did. She used to sing old druidic songs. Would you like to hear one?" He nodded and she said, "You know, our mother had the funniest accent. Ever heard a druidic accent?"

Then he said, "No... what's it sound like?"

She laughed putting on her mother's accent, "It kinnae soond lik this."

He let a smile go and she started humming a sleepy tune for him and then gently sang.

(The song is Where Are You? by Deanta)

"Where are you tonight, I wonder?
And where will you be tonight when I cry?
Will sleep to you come easy, though alone I can't slumber?
Or will you welcome in the morning at another one's side?"

Bishop stood by, quietly listening, leaning against the wall in his usual posture as she sang this beautiful song. As always, her voice pulled at his very soul and made his heart ache for her. He watched as she gently stroked her brother's hair and sang to him, making the child slowly nod off with her voice alone. The scene stirred thoughts of family in him. He felt himself wanting that more and more with her. To be with her, to hold her in his arms forever, to have a family with her.

The thought of her singing such sweet songs to their children while he stood by, listening and being a part of it all with her evoked feelings of joy within him. He nearly scoffed at himself at these thoughts, though a smile curled at his lips. Eight months he'd spent with this woman since they met so long ago at the inn in Riverwood. He still remembered how ridiculous she looked, this tiny woman, stalking miserably up those steps to the inn, her face covered in ash, her clothes stained with soot and her hair a tangled mess, bits of it charred in places even.

He frowned at himself too, remembering exactly what he'd said to her, giving her a smarmy and sarcastic retort which she hadn't even replied to. Just fumed and stormed off. Back then, he'd thought, whatever, just another dirty wench off to drink herself stupid. Of course when she came rushing back outside and started washing off in the river only to have those vile drunks looming over her, well of course he wasn't that uncaring. He still had his chivalrous side and couldn't bear to watch another woman be hurt by any unsavory types.

He grinned remembering how damn quick she was, yanking the first poor fool down to her height, pressing a blade to his neck and then how he nearly tossed the other poor sod right into the river. She was so feisty, scaring them off with her magic and her overall fiery temper. And then when he really saw her face.

God damn was she beautiful. He practically kicked himself for nearly letting her get away. Those glittering green eyes and perfect pink lips. Then when she sang for the first time. At first it was funny, watching this woman get so lost in her own voice, singing for a bunch of strangers, but even then it stirred something in him. This precious, beautiful woman with the voice of an angel.

And every time she blushed and the way she smiled at him and endured even the worst of his lewd comments. How she infuriated him so many times over with her stubbornness in the beginning, how he'd nearly considered leaving more than once, letting his impatience and his lust get the better of him. Something inside told him to stay, even after dragon after dragon, still he carried on, standing by her side, helping her through it all when she was ready to crumble and give up. He lifted her burdens however he could and carried them on his shoulders and she rewarded him with all the joys she brought into his life. She became his light in this dark world and so he reached out for it, following close behind.

He never could have imagined that they would have come so far, that she would have reached in and healed his soul as she did. He never thought that he would love her so deeply.

"If there's a silence, then it can be broken
If there beats a pure heart, it's there I will go
And time will work its healing, and the spirit will grow stronger
But oh, in the meantime, I'd still like to know

"Where are you tonight, I wonder?
And where will you be tonight when I cry?
Will sleep to you come easy, though alone I can't slumber?
Or will you welcome in the morning at another one's side?"

Where are you?
Oh where are you?
Where are you?"

Rona finished her song, noticing that Nelkir had fallen fast asleep. She kissed him on his forehead and stood up. Bishop seemed to be lost in thought and gently stroked his arm, and he quickly met her gaze. "Hey Sweetness," he whispered, "Beautiful song."

She smiled at him and said quietly, "Ready for our date with the General?"

He said, "We still have a few hours. What do you say we do a little exploring first?"

He gave her a mischievous smirk and she looked at him curiously. "What kind of exploring?" She tossed back, thinking he'd have some sort of lewd suggestion in mind.

He said, "Just follow me."

He lead her through the throne room, completely empty that evening and they went down the steps onto the first floor. Bishop glanced around and saw a maid standing by, sweeping the floor. He walked up to her and said, "Excuse me miss, one of the kids knocked a vase over up in Jarl's room, mind taking care of that real quick?"

The maid scowled and grumbled furiously under her breath about how she didn't sign up for a job working with children and hurried up the stairs.

Bishop went over to a door on the side of the hall and whispered, "Remember how I told you we used to live in the Blue Palace right under the Jarl's nose?" She nodded and he fished around his pocket pulling out a lock pick. He prod it into the keyhole on the door and murmured, "This is the Pelagius Wing in the Blue Palace. No one ever comes in here because, well," he scoffed, "they're all a bunch of superstitious idiots honestly."

The lock clicked and they carefully crept into the dreary room beyond. Bishop quietly shut the door behind them and chuckled, "Damn, it's a lot smaller than I remember."

The whole place with covered in cobwebs and looked like it was being used to store old furniture. There were chairs set up onto tables, plenty of furniture covered in sheets and plenty not, everything however was covered in a thick layer of dust. She gave him a side-eye glance and frowned, "Bishop, it's sweet you want to show me this but..."

"Fucking filthy isn't it?" He said with a laugh, "Just follow me. I promise we won't try fooling around in here. I just want to show you how I used to live like a king."

She laughed and relented letting him pull her along as they crept around the lackluster wing of the palace.

He said, "We used to camp out way down in the back, had my own little nook to myself, 'course I used to let Jules sleep next to me. I spent most of my time teaching him how to read down here," he stopped a moment and looked at her, "Guess I never told you about that."

She found it sweet that he was reminiscing like this and wanted to encourage it, "No you haven't told me that yet."

"Hmm, yeah," he paused thoughtfully, "My mother taught me and Jack to read, but every kid after... she just didn't have the energy for it anymore, stopped caring when her whole world became round the clock beatings and her trying to find her escape in whatever drunk idiot she met that night. So Jack and I took it upon ourselves to teach the younger ones to read. I tell yah, it's tough work getting a four year old to pay attention. Jules though, he was good about it. He liked it and picked it up quickly. I scratched the whole alphabet out for him on the walls down here, I bet it's still there."

She smiled brightly at him and he pulled on her arm again, leading her down some more stairs until they were in a long hallway. They kept walking along but then Rona stopped abruptly, making Bishop stop with her. He looked over at her, "What is it? I know it's creepy, Ladyship, but I swear, it's not actually haunted down here or anything."

She pointed straight ahead at the ground as her pulse quickened at the sight of it. Bishop looked and muttered, "The fuck?"

The pelvic bone sat right there in the middle of the hall, like it was waiting for them.

"Ok, now that's fucking creepy," he muttered. Then the bone shook suddenly and they both took an anxious step backward. It shuddered again and lifted right into the air. Rona felt herself shaking. How was it she could face dragons yet be so utterly terrified of a possessed pelvic bone? Well dragons she understood, this she did not.

Then Bishop shouted, "Oh shit!" As the bone flew right towards them. They both held their hands out to block it and then there was a flash of white.

Rona realized she was still breathing and as her eyes adjusted, she saw Bishop standing by her side still. He was squinting too and then they both looked around. They were in an open forest, surrounded by low hills and dead trees. A thick fog hovered around the outskirts of the clearing they were standing in.

She muttered with a tone of panic, "Where are we, Bishop?"

"Uhh," he droned, dumbfounded, "I... I have no idea."

Then a rough and jovial voice carried over to them, "More tea, Pelly my dear?"

Another more dreary and depressed voice replied, "Oh I couldn't. Goes right through me. Besides, I have so many things to do..."

They both looked over to see two men sitting at a large wooden dinner table covered with plates of food and beverages. The man nearest them, had his back turned to them. He had long blonde hair tied back behind his head and was wearing fine brown clothes.

The other man they could fully see was quite strange looking. He too wore fine nobles clothes, however one half was bright orange and the other a dark purple. His grey and white hair was neatly combed back and he had a well trimmed beard to match. His eyes though were terrifying. Where the whites should have been, instead there was black and his irises were a glowing, bright yellow and he had cat eye slits where round pupils should have been.

The two men carried on with their odd conversation, not even noticing Rona and Bishop standing there.

The depressed man rambled on, "So many undesirables to contend with. Naysayers. Buffoons. Detractors. Why, my headsman hasn't slept in three days!"

"You are far too hard on yourself, my dear, sweet, homicidally insane Pelagius," the wild looking man went on raving madly, "What would the people do without you? Dance? Sing? Smile? Grow old? You are the best Septim that's ever ruled. Well, except for that Martin fellow, but he turned into a dragon god and that's hardly sporting. You know, I was there for that whole sordid affair. Marvelous time! Butterflies, blood, a Fox, a severed head... Oh, and the cheese! To die for."

"Yes, yes, as you've said, countless times before," the depressed man sounded highly unimpressed and quite bored with it all.

"Harumph! Well then, if you're going to be like that... Perhaps it's best I take my leave. A good day to you sir. I said good day!"

"Yes, yes, go. Leave me to my ceaseless responsibilities and burdens..."

Rona clutched Bishop's arm as the depressed man was sucked into a purplish field of energy and vanished on the spot.

The wild man looked over at the both of them and an impish grin played at his lips. He stood up and said, "Oh! Dragonborn. Welcome, welcome. Been expecting you for ages now. Looks like Claudia's madness finally took root and sprouted in that fancy little head of yours, or maybe it just needed a few whacks from all those dragons you've been tussling with. Either way, I knew you had it in yah! Genetics and all that you know?"

Bishop barked at him, "Who the fuck are you?"

The wild man smirked and laughed then did a stupid jig and danced in a circle, "Hmm, can't quite remember myself. Been here a while. Wait... let me guess. Was it Molag? No, no... Little Tim? Hmmm, not right either. The ghost of King Lysandus? Or was it... Yes! Stanley... wait no, he was that talking grapefruit from Passwall."

He held a hand to his chin as though he were genuinely thinking about who he actually was and Bishop stammered furiously, "You don't even know who you are!? Fucking lunatic."

The wild man got a sparkle in his eye and said, "Might want to ask her. I think she might know."

Rona took a breath, trying to calm her nerves and looked right at Bishop when she said, "He's the Daedric Prince of Madness. Sheogorath."