Rona's Story: An Epic Skyrim Romance Rona's Story: Chapter 75, an elder scroll series fanfic

Chapter 75

Sky Haven Temple

Bishop stood at the edge of the ridge by the cave and whistled sharply out towards the path they'd first crossed. In minutes Karnwyr came racing up the dirt road and skittered around some very startled forsworn all the way up the hill to them and threw his front paws onto Bishop's chest. He smiled, scratching the wolf and then pushed him off. His eyes traveled back to Cael and his hateful glower returned.

Rona ignored him though as she watched a slow procession of people carrying the wounded into the cave in front of them. Cael led the way inside, motioning for them to follow. They went in and found a spacious cavern with an upraised wooden landing built into it. There were women, children and plenty of warriors sitting by and laying on old bedrolls as two shamans worked on healing the wounded, focusing their attention to those in the worst shape.

While most of the women and children were only scratched up and bruised there were plenty of warriors with severe burns, terrible frostbite and deep gashes on their bodies, a few were still bleeding heavily as the healthy among them did their best to apply salves and provide potions until the shamans could get to them.

As they walked up the stairs and stepped around all the distraught people, Rona stopped in front of a pair of small children and a woman who were seated beside a man who was covered in burns. Half his face had been scorched and his eye was essentially sealed shut as the skin had literally melted together.

Rona found herself kneeling beside the family, and asked, "May I heal him?"

She wasn't sure how these people felt about magic, although she did see the shamans using some kind of healing magic, it wasn't quite the same as what she'd learned in restoration school.

The woman, who had tears in her eyes nodded quickly and Rona pressed her healing hands to the man's body, doing the best she could to mend him. She did not have the power to heal dragon's fire, only to heal dragon's frost. She could not remove the terrible magic the dragon had shouted over the man. The two small children were crying and calling out for their father. As her healing magic swept over him he took a deep breath of relief and the woman, she assumed must have been his wife, caressed his cheek and looked on at him lovingly.

Rona cast a grand healing over them all, mending the small scrapes and cuts on her and her children.

"Velvyn," her father urged, "We must go…"

She looked back at him, forlorn and said, "We should stay and heal them."

"There's no time," Delphine insisted.

Rona relented and got up, moving along with them. Anu led the way ahead while Rona fell back behind the others though she noticed Bishop was lagging the furthest behind all of them with Karnwyr, staying alert and keeping his angry gaze steadily on the forsworn Chief.

Cael came up walking alongside her then and smiled down at her. "That was kind what you did for them. To offer your healing hands to us… I feel very fortunate to meet an outsider that has such a gentle heart."

Rona blushed again and turned her head away and she mumbled, "Please, don't think anything of it." He seemed pleased to be making her blush so fiercely again. She tried to change the subject, steer it away from his flirting and asked, "Why does it seem so odd for someone to want to help you all?"

He raised a brow at her and asked, "You do not find it odd?"

"Should I?"

His smile widened and he asked, "Do you know who we are?"

She averted her eyes and rubbed her forearm, "I'd never heard of the forsworn until today."

He laughed lightly, "I see. So it is ignorance that lends your kindness to us." She frowned at him but his smile only widened further as he said, "Forgive my impertinence, Rona, but I never thought to meet someone so open-minded in Skyrim. I do not mean to say that you are ignorant, only that your view of us has not been stained by those who would rather see us dead - like your scowling companion there," he motioned his head back to Bishop who was still staring fiercely at the back of Cael's head with his arms crossed. Cael's mention of him only deepened his glare even further.

Rona tried her best to ignore Bishop. She was just as mad at him. The fact that he ignored the plight of so many innocent people truly bothered her. She knew that Cael's flirting was getting deep under his skin too and she let it. She felt like he deserved it for the way he treated her before. She'd been right to trust the forsworn, whether he liked it or not. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

Cael said, "My people, we share the same ancestors that form your soul. We were born from the dragon tribes and we are steeped in the old ways. We remember the old gods while the nords today would forget them. They would prefer to see us removed from existence, but we forge ever onward, fighting to retake our lands and for our freedom, seeking to become the rulers we once were long ago. It is as Kitaere said, we are the children of the sun," he grinned at her.

She glanced at him and asked, "Kitaere... she looked at you as though she knew you. Why is that?"

"She was once known as Kitaere Kovere. She was the second Maiden of Dragon Flame, born a century after Eira of White Fire to a tribe that called themselves the Children of the Sun. They worshipped the old gods of fire and light and… she was my ancestor."

"Truly!?" Esbern yelled astonished. He stopped and looked back at Cael, "Incredible! You are able to trace your lineage back that far? If you have any documentation or perhaps a family tree, I would very much like to see it."

Cael laughed lightly and said, "Unfortunately we do not have any written texts of these facts, only the tales and legends we orate from one generation to the next. There are some stone carvings in our lands which prove as much, but I am afraid I cannot bring you to them, for that would reveal my forests and put my people at risk."

"Yes... of course," Esbern turned away and they continued through the caves and stopped in a long corridor. They were inside an open ravine. Rona looked up to see the rain she created earlier had started to slow to a steady drizzle and the clouds were beginning to loosen and drift apart. It was still light out as sunlight touched parts of the mountain. They noticed a staircase to their right and three stone pillars at the top.

"Looks like a dead end," Delphine said and she glanced back at Cael and asked, "How do we pass through?"

"I could not say," Cael replied, "As I said before, these are not my lands. I have never been within these tunnels. I am merely here at the request of my fellow to ensure that you do not attack the Karth River tribe."

Bishop grumbled loudly, "Ugh, useless."

Serlas and Esbern were already heading up the stairs to look over the stone pillars. Serlas touched a hand to the markings and said, "These appear to have some symbols on them. I believe it's a puzzle of some kind."

Esbern was studying the carvings closely when he said thoughtfully, "Yes. These are Akaviri symbols. Let's see...you have the symbol for King, Warrior and of course the symbol for Dragonborn." He attempted to push on the stone and turn it, but it wouldn't budge. Esbern grunted as he pressed against it with all the strength he had and said, "It's no use! It won't move."

Bishop stalked up the stairs then and tried to do the same, pushing hard against the stones but once again they wouldn't turn. He looked over at Esbern and shrugged, "Maybe they aren't meant to move."

"Perhaps the Dragonborn should try," Cael suggested.

Rona raised her brows at him and he merely offered his gentle smile in return. She went pink in the cheeks again and hurried up the stairs. Bishop stepped aside, hardly looking at her and she stood in front of the first stone and put a hand to it and pushed on it. It didn't move at all.

Bishop smirked at Cael then and said snidely, "Got any other bright ideas forsworn?"

Rona started looking over the etchings and noticed that the word 'yol' had been carved repeatedly around the images in the scratchy lettering of dragon's tongue. She said, "Everyone stand back."

The three men quickly went down the stairs and she moved back a bit and shouted, "YOL!" three times in succession at each stone pillar. The etchings lit up and glowed golden like her fire. They emitted a low ebbing sound and she touched the first one, pushing on it, easily making it spin.

She moved each one so that the patterns matched but nothing changed. Esbern said, "Try the symbols for Dragonborn, that's the one that appears to have a sort of arrow shape pointing downward at the bottom."

She turned them all to that symbol and there was a light clicking sound and then the bridge across the way shuddered and fell, crashing with a forceful thud onto the stone path. Rona carefully tread forward, further into the tunnel and reached a room full of pressure plates. They all had varying Akaviri symbols etched into them. Delphine stopped behind her and said, "Damn. Pressure plates. We'll have to be careful."

"Back up," Rona said. Delphine moved back and she shouted, "YOL!" against the floor. A series of pressure plates with the symbol for Dragonborn all lit up, revealing the path. Rona took a tentative step forward, onto the first one. It didn't move, she glanced back at the crowd of people eagerly waiting for her to make another move.

"Go on Dragonborn," Delphine urged her.

She stepped onto the next and the next, following the winding path all the way up to a tall stone structure with a chain hanging out of it. She yanked on it and a bridge across the way fell. The floor lit up entirely then, making it safe for them to cross. They continued along the winding path, with Rona leading them all.

Esbern was getting excited as he said, "Yes, yes! I think we must be close to the entrance."

They stepped into a very large and spacious cavern with two tall trees and an enormous head carved into the wall beyond. Everyone wandered in looking in awe at the strange place that hadn't been seen for centuries.

Esbern walked right over to the enormous head and commented, "Wonderful! Remarkably well-preserved, too. You see how the ancient Blades revered Reman Cyrodiil. This whole place appears to be a shrine to Reman. He ended the Akaviri invasion under mysterious circumstances, you recall. After the so-called "battle" of Pale Pass, the Akaviri went into his service. This was the foundation stone of the Second Empire."

Serlas stooped down in front of a strange circular panel directly in front of the head on the wall and touched the etchings on the floor. "A blood seal," he said.

Esbern went to his side and nodded. "Indeed. Another of the lost Akaviri arts. No doubt triggered by...well, blood," he looked over at Rona, "Your blood, Dragonborn."

"Esbern's probably right," Delphine agreed, "Try using your blood on the carved seal on the floor."

Rona frowned. She felt like she'd bled enough already that day, now she had to bleed some more? Her back was still hot and stinging too. She was going to have to have her father look at it soon.

She sighed and went over to the blood seal. She knelt down in the center and remembered that she didn't have her dagger anymore, she'd given it to Nelkir ages ago. She said, "Bishop, let me borrow your dagger."

He walked over to her, knelt beside her and held her palm up in his hand, then withdrew the dragon bone dagger she'd given him many months ago. Their eyes met for a moment and she could still see the hurt in his. She was so focused on his pained expression that she didn't realize he'd gone to cut her until he swiped the blade sharply across her palm. She hissed painfully and yanked her hand back to her chest.

He glared at her, leaning forward and uttered so only she could hear, "Stings, doesn't it?" Then got back up and stalked away from her. She scowled at his back and held her bleeding palm out over the seal so that her blood dripped into it, pooling. The circular panel lit up completely, glowing a bright golden color revealing ancient Akaviri runes. The head in front of them shuddered and started to move upward, opening a new entrance.

Esbern was elated and immediately ran in ahead of everyone else while Delphine followed close behind. Serlas stopped beside Rona and held a hand out to her. She took it with her uncut hand and he pulled her up. He asked quietly and with deep concern, "Is everything alright dear?"

She gave him a very fake reassuring smile and said, "Everything's fine Ata. We're almost at Alduin's Wall."

"Indeed we are. Shall we then?" It seemed like he was trying to usher her away from the two men who were quietly fighting for her affections. Granted, Bishop was utterly failing in that department, all things considered.

She said, "Go on ahead Ata, I'll catch up in a minute."

Serlas looked warily back at the three forsworn warriors and then turned back to her, brows knit together and said, "Please be careful velvyn," he left her there and went into the temple entrance. Esbern's voice was softly echoing back, "Fascinating! Original Akaviri bas-reliefs...almost entirely intact! Amazing...you can see how the Akaviri craftsmen were beginning to embrace the more flowing Nordic style..."

Now that they were mostly alone, Bishop made his hateful glare that much more apparent. Even Karnwyr was looking at Cael and the other two guardedly, sensing Bishop's ire.

Robin glanced at the wolf and then said, "Alright Cael. We've entertained the nordic legend and her rabid wolves enough, let's go already!"

"Have patience Robin. At least allow me to bid farewell to the Maiden of Dragon Flame," he smiled and Rona approached them all.

She asked, "You're leaving?"

"Yes, it appears that you have reached your desired destination. We would take our leave of you shortly. We must return to our own village soon as it is plagued by the attacks of another," he grasped a leather pouch on his hip then, untying it and handing it to her, "Before we go, take this," Rona took the pouch and opened it, looking inside. It was filled with a strange sand that shimmered colorfully like the aurora borealis.

"What is it?"

"It is a rare ingredient, nymph's heart. The heart of a nymph is like a beautiful pearl and when it is ground into this powder it can be used in healing potions to make them strangely potent. It is meant for those who are close to death. I doubt you will need its power, but it's as unique as you."

She blushed furiously again, she honestly couldn't help it and mumbled a quiet, "Thank you..."

Cael smiled again, handsomely to say the least. Then his striking blue eyes shifted from her to look over at Bishop, who was standing by her side, arms crossed while he kept his hateful glare steadfastly on the forsworn chief.

Cael laughed lightly, "Do I go too far? Your companion looks like he will growl me to death if I compliment you once more," his eyes fell on her again and he said, "Be wary Dragonborn, jealousy is a vulgar trait."

Bishop scoffed and his lip curled a little, "Jealous? Of you? Now that's funny. I haven't given two shits since you started talking forsworn." That was definitely a lie. Rona could sense the rage burning inside of him. She could see it all over his face and it was apparent in his actions, considering he'd just viciously cut her a short while ago.

Robin was looking just as angry and agitated when she snapped, "Alright, that's it! Who cares if she's the Dragonborn, Cael? We'd be doing her a favor if we got rid of this moron!"

Bishop sneered at her, "Oh please try it. I'd love nothing better right now than to get rid of his whore."

Anu protested warningly, "Whoa - whoa -whoa! Robin is his sister! Speak about her like that and we'll all cut out your eyes."

"Sister!?" Bishop snarled a laugh, "That's his sister!? I've seen tavern wenches wearing more than what she - no, what all of you combined have on!"

Cael was growing livid too and said, "Enough. All of you," his eyes flashed dangerously at Bishop, "As for you, ranger, keep your eyes off my sister or I will hunt you down and remove them from your skull."

"Why not try your luck now? You skirt-wearing freak. It'll be the first and last mistake you ever make about me," Bishop started goading him as he reached for his dagger. Rona realized he was trying to pick a fight.

"I was already considering it when you wounded Rona," Cael retorted.

Bishop growled and drew his dagger, saying, "Don't say her name like you know her you dirty fucking savage -"

In an instant Cael was on him, sword drawn, and pressed right to Bishop's neck. None of them saw it coming, even Karnwyr was slow to react and Rona couldn't stop herself, she shouted instinctively, "FUS!"

Cael was thrown away from Bishop and he rolled across the ground. Rona leapt in front of him as Robin drew her daggers and ran forward, ready to kill. Rona threw her hands out and cast a wide wall of fire at the ground, separating a now barking and growling Karnwyr, herself and Bishop from the forsworn. Robin jumped back, away from the licking inferno and glared at both of them. Anu had his bow drawn and his arrow trained on her as well.

"Stop," Cael said as he pulled himself up off the ground. He adjusted his furs and sheathed his blade before approaching the wall of fire. He looked through the flames and smiled softly at Rona and she glared distrustfully back at him, holding her fiery hands up and was ready to shout if needed. She was done playing that game with him.

"The strength you embody is a force that will not be reckoned with on the side of your enemy," he said, "It pains me to become your enemy now."

Rona spoke grievously, each word etched with a tone of enmity for him, "If you wanted to prove that your people are not what outsiders see you as, that you're not savages, then you're doing a terrible job of it."

Cael smirked and looked away, "Hm... I apologize to you Dragonborn. I did not intend to offend you, nor was I going to kill your companion, I merely wished to give him a warning."

"The warning has been heard," she replied tersely, "Goodbye Cael."

He pressed his lips together, bowed then gave her one last gentle smile and left with his companions.

The minute they were all gone the wall of fire burned out and Bishop scoffed loudly, "See? What did I tell you? Just a bunch of savages looking for their next kill."

She felt her blood boiling in her own rage. She grit her teeth and rounded on him, furiously prodding his chest with a finger, shouting up into his face, "And you only have yourself to blame Bishop! Provoking them like that!? Drawing your dagger!? What did you expect!?"

He glowered down at her, "I expect you to take me seriously when I tell you the truth about these people."

"The truth? The truth is that I was right!" she laughed incredulously, "We saved those people and they trusted us enough to let us pass through here! Just like I told you!"

"Not before your skirt wearing friend there had to talk his cohort down from nearly stabbing you in the face!" He growled, "And do you honestly think that if you weren't the Dragonborn that he would have even bothered trying to spare you from some bloody ritual!? Yeah don't kid yourself, he knew what he was doing and you took the bait."

"Bait!? What are you talking about!? Cael was helping us!"

"Oh come on Rona, did you really think he was interested in you?"

She blushed at his words and tried to turn away when he grasped her chin, turning her face back to him and said, "This is exactly what I'm talking about. You blushing away like some girl flirting with her first love, right in front of me like that. You think I don't see it - that I don't notice it? If you really think that man was interested in you, then I have clearly misjudged your intelligence."

She had tears stinging the corners of her eyes now. She clenched her fists trying to keep her voice steady, "Don't take me for some love-struck girl Bishop, I know what I'm doing."

He pulled his hand from her chin and crossed his arms again, cocking his head and sneered, "Well then, if you're so smart, what do you think he wants?"

She said nothing, only twisted her mouth angrily at him and his brows hovered sharply over his eyes as he nodded saying, "Yeah, that's right. He just wants the Dragonborn, not you. A woman with the soul of a dragon would make for a thrilling hunt, don't yah think? Doesn't matter who that woman is. You do best to remember that next time he's wielding that honey-coated dagger of a tongue."

"Stop treating me like a child!" She shrieked at him, "I can take care of myself! Haven't I already proved that!?"

"No!" He snarled, "You haven't! Every chance you get you run off and throw yourself in front of another blasted dragon - or three! And then the rest of us, namely me, have to run in and save your ass! Give me one good reason why I should let you keep putting yourself in danger for other people and especially for a bunch of damned savages who don't give a shit about you!"

"Because I can actually help them Bishop! I'm the Dragonborn! This is what I was fucking made for!"

"Oh how so very nice of you!" He drawled mockingly, "Mighty Dragonborn roaming all over Skyrim and helping everyone in need while disregarding her own and those who travel with her! No one cares Sweetness, if any of us get hurt! Or have you still failed to realize that?"

She slapped him hard across the face, it was certainly no sharp slash across his palm, but it fucking felt good. He glared warningly at her and snarled, "Don't try that again." Of course she went in for another, aiming to release her fury and of course he grabbed her hand hard, that time, "Do not treat me like your punching bag."

"But I should just let you cut me to ribbons whenever you're mad at me!?"

He flinched and let go of her hand. It had started to bleed again where he cut her. He looked at it regretfully and she took a breath, feeling her tears ready to fall, but didn't want him to see, so she stormed off around him and he shouted at her back, "Going to run off again Rona!?"

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" She roared back and ran up the stairs, her tears spilling quickly over her cheeks. Why was he trying so hard to hurt her? Because of some preconceived notion that she was about to flounce off with every man that flirted with her? It was just like with Casavir all over again, only this time Bishop had been right. Cael tried to kill him or at least hurt him. She'd been such a fool.

She stopped at the top of the stairs, listening to the voices of the others as they echoed into the tunnel. Both Esbern and Serlas were having a lengthy discussion with each other about some carvings and symbols they were looking over when Delphine said, "I'm getting worried, they still haven't come up. I'm going to go check on them."

Rona started wiping at her tears and tried to pull herself together as Delphine nearly bumped into her, "Oh! There you are - you need to come see it," she paused looking over her face, "Rona, are you alright? Your face is all red."

Rona sniffled and just said, "I'm fine. I don't want to talk about it."

Delphine gave her a sympathetic look. "Well if you do, I'm here to listen. Now come on. You've got to see Alduin's Wall, it's incredible."

Rona followed her into another spacious interior with two low staircases and an enormous stone table in the center of the room. It was relatively barren and rather grey, however, reminding her a lot of the monastery up on High Hrothgar. Off to their right was an enormous wall with detailed and vivid images carved into it. Rona looked on at it with sense of foreboding welling within her.

She approached it slowly and stood by Esbern, staring up at it. He glanced over at her and asked, "Shall I explain it?" She nodded slowly, her eyes glued to the thing. He started at the left side of it pointing to the image of a dragon roaring fire, "Here is Alduin. This panel goes back to the beginning of time, when Alduin and the Dragon Cult ruled over Skyrim. Here, the humans rebel against their dragon overlords - the legendary Dragon War. Alduin's defeat is the centerpiece of the Wall. You see, here he is falling from the sky as Jillian of Heart Frost leads the nord Tongues against him."

He was walking along the wall with her, explaining each section, "This here, coming from the mouths of the warriors - this is the Akaviri symbol for 'shout'... A shout which can knock a dragon from the sky."

"Dragonrend," Rona said. She knit her brows together, looking over the terrifying wall and shook her head, "But I need an Elder Scroll to learn it. It's the only way."

Esbern asked, "How will the scroll allow you to learn this shout?"

"I have to take it to the Throat of the World where Time itself was torn apart and use it to look into the past when Jillian and the Tongues sent Alduin through Time."

"Fascinating," Esbern said stroking his beard.

Rona urged him on, "What about the rest of the wall? What else does it say?"

He continued on to the end of it and said, "It is the prophecy that brought the Akaviri to Tamriel in the first place, in search of the Dragonborn. Here are the Akaviri - the Blades - you see their distinctive long swords, they kneel, their ancient mission fulfilled, as the Last Dragonborn contends with Alduin at the end of time."

"The Last Dragonborn?" She asked looking at him, "I'm the last?"

"Well," Esbern said, still stroking his beard thoughtfully, "The Dragonborn exists solely to fight the dragon menace, that has always been their purpose. Once Alduin is destroyed, and all of the dragons are eradicated then there will be no need for another Dragonborn to be born... so yes, you would be the last."

"Let's face it," Delphine said, "If she doesn't defeat Alduin then she will be the last no matter what... it will be the last for all of us."

Rona was feeling distressed again and not just because of her destiny, or because the damned wall said nothing about the damned Elder Scroll, but because she'd just had a nasty fight with Bishop, over a stupid, damned savage man who wouldn't let up his flirtations and she just fed into it. She let it happen.

Serlas could see the anxiety in her entire being and said, "There is a courtyard up those stairs Rona dear, perhaps you should get some fresh air."

She was very grateful for that. The place reminded her too much of High Hrothgar, but it was even worse than the monastery because it was completely and utterly useless to her. She wanted to scream and shout and kick something. She hurried up the stairs and burst through the doors outside.

- 30 Minutes Ago -

Bishop was done with it all. He was done with these damned forsworn freaks that were following them around and eyeing them all like prey on their hunt. And he was most definitely done watching the pretty boy, creep prowl around his woman like she was the tastiest piece of meat he'd seen in a while. Rona was like an innocent, naïve, little blushing doe, and this man was a vicious sabre cat, luring her in with his wiles and charms, waiting to pounce.

He desired nothing more than to feel his dagger slide across that forsworn's throat. So he started picking a fight with them. A few insults here and there, oh, looks like he called his sister a whore - good, but really? That was his sister? Ugh. A few more insults, point out their idiotic way of dressing - he couldn't believe a bunch of warriors would wear so little armor - finally he'd started to draw a reaction from the soft spoken savage.

Bishop felt his lips curling partly into a sneer as the forsworn man's eyes flashed angrily at him, "As for you, ranger, keep your eyes off my sister or I will hunt you down and remove them from your skull."

He was on the right track it seemed and so he replied, "Why not try your luck now? You skirt-wearing freak. It'll be the first and last mistake you ever make about me." He put a hand to his dagger, it was intentional it was meant to be threatening.

Then that pretty-boy prick had the gall to say her name again, like he knew her. "I was already considering it when you wounded Rona."

Bishop felt his rage bubbling then, ready to boil over. He growled and drew his dagger, snarling, "Don't say her name like you know her you dirty fucking savage -"

He didn't have a chance to react, he didn't see it coming. The man was fast. In a second his blade was unsheathed and pressing against his throat. Bishop was stunned. But then Rona moved and instinctively shouted, "FUS!" throwing the forsworn freak across the ground. She jumped in front of Bishop, moving to defend him from the savage woman, who drew daggers and came in flying, ready to kill. But Rona was too fast for her, casting angry fire at the ground, putting a roaring wall between them all. He was extremely disappointed that she hadn't just incinerated them all instead. Karnwyr started barking and growling too.

"Stop," the forsworn man said as he pulled himself up off the ground. He adjusted his stupid skirt and useless top before sheathing his blade and approaching the wall of fire. His wicked grin curled across his face again as he said, "The strength you embody is a force that will not be reckoned with on the side of your enemy. It pains me to become your enemy now."

It didn't pain Bishop. He was glad of it and even more pleased that she'd finally woken up to the obvious, that this man, this forsworn, was nothing more than a savage monster just waiting to kill him and do gods knew what with her.

Thankfully, she wasn't buying it anymore, which was apparent in the angry tone in her voice and her words, "If you wanted to prove that your people are not what outsiders see you as, that you're not savages, then you're doing a terrible job of it."

The pretty boy tried to keep up his flirtations, tried to woo her again with his devilish grin and a shy turn of his head, "Hm... I apologize to you Dragonborn. I did not intend to offend you, nor was I going to kill your companion, I merely wished to give him a warning."

"The warning has been heard," she replied snappishly, "Goodbye Cael."

Finally, the damned tribal types took their leave and Bishop scoffed at her. He couldn't stop himself, his nerves were all on edge, he didn't get an opportunity to release his anger in a fight and he was still pissed at her. "See? What did I tell you? Just a bunch of savages looking for their next kill."

But then she rounded on him, furiously prodding his chest with a finger, and stood on tiptoe, roaring up into his face, "And you only have yourself to blame Bishop! Provoking them like that!? Drawing your dagger!? What did you expect!?"

He glowered down at her, "I expect you to take me seriously when I tell you the truth about these people."

"The truth? The truth is that I was right!" She laughed, so proud of her own foolishness, "We saved those people and they trusted us enough to let us pass through here!"

Bullshit she was right. The hell was she even talking about? They could have easily snuck in there and let the damned dragons make a feast of the forsworn freaks. But she just had to go all noble and moral at the last minute, nearly getting herself killed more than once in the process and even when it was all said and done the forsworn still captured them all and even threatened her, which he immediately pointed out to her.

"Bait!? What are you talking about!? Cael was helping us!"

How could she be so blind? Was she really that naive? "Oh come on Rona, did you really think he was interested in you?"

She started blushing again, every time this woman blushed it absolutely gave her away. And as always she tried to turn away, to hide it, but he stopped her, grasping her chin, turning her face back to him and said, "This is exactly what I'm talking about. You blushing away like some girl flirting with her first love, right in front of me like that. You think I don't see it - that I don't notice it? If you really think that man was interested in you, then I have clearly misjudged your intelligence."

Shit. He was making her cry. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes. But he had to tell her. She was too goddamn stubborn and so focused on trying to rescue everyone else at her own peril. What did he have to do to open her goddamned eyes!? He heard her fighting against the quaver in her voice, "Don't take me for some love-struck girl Bishop, I know what I'm doing."

He pulled his hand from her chin and crossed his arms again. Oh like hell she knew what she was doing. Was she trying to convince him or herself of that? He cocked his head at her, "Well then, if you're so smart, what do you think he wants?"

He watched as she struggled to find the words, to explain herself, but when she said nothing, he let her see just how angry he was at her incessant stupidity, furrowing his brows more sharply and nodding, "Yeah, that's right. He just wants the Dragonborn, not you. A woman with the soul of a dragon would make for a thrilling hunt, don't yah think? Doesn't matter who that woman is. You do best to remember that next time he's wielding that honey-coated dagger of a tongue."

"Stop treating me like a child!" She shrieked back, "I can take care of myself! Haven't I already proved that!?"

"Because I can actually help them Bishop! I'm the Dragonborn! This is what I was fucking made for!" Idiocy. It was pure idiocy. She didn't even like being the Dragonborn, so why was she so intent on fulfilling her insane destiny? Not to mention putting his hide and hair in harm's way for it!

She slapped him across the face then. It never hurt him, but he wasn't about to let any woman touch him like that. He warned her, "Don't try that again." And then she glared viciously at him and went for another. He snatched her hand right out of the air, holding it hard and growled, "Do not treat me like your punching bag."

"But I should just let you cut me to ribbons whenever you're mad at me!?"

He flinched and let go of her hand. He noticed the blood on his fingers, where he'd been pressing right into the cut he gave her earlier and felt a twinge of regret. He glanced down at her hand and saw a steady trickle of blood escaping the wound. Why hadn't she healed it?

She took a breath, looking like she wanted to say something, before she gave up and brushed past him, hurrying off towards the stairs. He was still mad at her though and wanted to hurt her a little more the way she always hurt him and he shouted at her back, "Going to run off again Rona!?"

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" She shrieked back at him before she ran up the stairs. And then he just felt bad. Her tears had started to fall heavily, he saw them, no matter how she tried to hide them.

He sighed deeply, wearily. He just didn't know how to make her understand. But she'd always been too trusting of others and she always tried so hard to see the good in people and do the right thing even if it meant risking her neck for them.

She made it too hard to keep her safe. Like when she ran off to face down three dragons with that wild woman. The way she fought so fiercely, it never ceased to amaze him, but he could never shake off the gripping fear he felt every time she stood before a dragon. She had no idea just how small and how fragile she was. The tiniest, little elf woman he'd ever seen, battling dragons like she was actually a dragon herself. It was madness.

And she'd almost died when one of them flew off with her, but then the forsworn man saved her. When his own arrows couldn't reach her that man ran in and flung his blade with all the force in his body. Bishop felt a mixture of emotions then. He was angry at himself for not being able to protect her, he was even angrier that this forsworn man managed to do what he couldn't. But he was also grateful because she'd be dead otherwise.

Grateful and hateful. That's how he felt about the man. Such a conflict of emotions, he almost didn't know what to do with himself. Then he felt Karnwyr pressing his wet nose against his hand and he reached down, patting his old friend on the head. He sighed deeply and muttered, "Let's go make up with her."

He went up the stairs and stopped at the top of them, just listening to hers and Esbern's ongoing conversation about Alduin's Wall. His heart dropped listening to her come to the realization that there was no mention of the Elder Scroll on the wall. Some more words were exchanged and then Serlas directed her to the courtyard to get some fresh air and Bishop heard her exit through the doors above.

He rounded into the large room and walked by Serlas, heading up the stairs to go look for her when the old elf called, "You were very hard on her."

Bishop stopped walking, but kept his back to the man.

Serlas said, "She has always been very sensitive to the plight of others. That is just her nature... But you were right to tell her, to try and show her what those people are capable of. I am afraid she has been far too naive and trusting for too long. Partly my fault, as I kept her rather sheltered in her youth. Be gentle with your words Bishop. She does not respond to aggressiveness and anger well at all, as I'm sure you already know... Do me a favor though and make sure she heals the cut on her hand and check the burn on her back for me as well."

Bishop slowly turned and looked down at Serlas, brow raised and asked, "How... how do you always know?"

Serlas smirked and pointed to one of his large ears, "I've always had excellent hearing. Speaking of... I hear many things, some things I often would prefer not to, just so you know."

Bishop felt his face burning and said, "Yeah… I'll keep that in mind."

Serlas nodded, smiling and said, "I appreciate that. And best of luck out there. I am sure you will need it. She seems ready to boil over in a wave of emotions I would not wish on any man. Oh and I would avoid standing near any steep cliffs if I were you."

"Right," he said and made to leave when Serlas stopped him once more.

"And one last thing Bishop," he paused, making sure Bishop was looking back at him when he said slowly, "Do not cut her like that ever again," his tone was severe, frightening even, "If you do, I will not hesitate to hurt you myself." Bishop felt a deep shame welling up within over disappointing this old man whom he would have considered his own family. It hurt. He hadn't meant to cut her that deeply. He was just so angry and allowed it to come out in a physical motion against her. He felt disgusted with himself for it.

"Are we clear on that?" Serlas asked him as his sharp yellow eyes bore into him.

"Crystal."

Serlas' face softened and he said politely, "Good. Carry on then." The elf turned away from him and swept along into one of the many rooms to go digging through old records with the other two.

Bishop's mouth twitched a little and he turned to hurry up the steps and outside into an old rundown courtyard. Straight ahead of him was a large stone ramada and off to his left was another covered patio with several archery targets. The cobblestone ground was overgrown with brambles and moss crept into the crevices of the stone. There were a few dead trees creating looming shadows as the sun slowly set in the distance.

Bishop noticed Rona at the far end of the courtyard, leaning against a rock and staring out at the colorful sky, watching the sunset. A few thick clouds still remained from her earlier shout and were painted in shades of magenta, orange and yellow.

He started to slowly approach her and with each step closer he was feeling worse and worse about the way he treated her. She'd been pretty miserable since they left the Ratway with Esbern. He could only imagine how awful she felt after everything he said to her and how he said it to her.

(The Song is All I Need by Within Temptation)

He stopped suddenly as the sound of strings plucked in the distance, echoing in from absolutely nowhere. She moved then, walking closer to the edge of the mountain and her perfect, beautiful and heartbreaking voice carried over to him. It felt like his very soul was being ripped apart by her words.

"I'm dying to catch my breath
Oh why don't I ever learn?
I've lost all my trust,
Though I've surely tried to turn it around

Can you still see the heart of me?
All my agony fades away
When you hold me in your embrace

Don't tear me down for all I need
Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe
Don't tear me down
You've opened the door now, don't let it close

I'm here on the edge again
I wish I could let it go
I know that I'm only one step away
From turning it around

Can you still see the heart of me?
All my agony fades away
When you hold me in your embrace

Don't tear me down for all I need
Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe

Don't tear it down, what's left of me
Make my heart a better place

I tried many times but nothing was real
Make it fade away, don't break me down
I want to believe that this is for real
Save me from my fear
Don't tear me down

Don't tear me down for all I need
Make my heart a better place
Don't tear me down for all I need
Make my heart a better place"

He wanted to run to her. To embrace her, to hold her and to actually make all of her agony fade away. But he couldn't bring himself to interrupt her song. He let her voice burn into him, he let her remind him over and over again why he loved her so much more than she would ever know, because he could never express it like her. He didn't have a way with words like she did. He had wit definitely, but such unbearable beauty? Never. He wanted to fall to his knees and bare his soul to her.

"Give me something I can believe
Don't tear it down, what's left of me
Make my heart a better place
Make my heart a better place."

(Recommended background music In Quel Sorriso by Mattia Cupelli)

It pained him to hear it end. How could he go to her and try to feebly make up for everything he'd just said to her after that? She just poured her heart out to the skies, singing about how all he'd done was tear her down and now he was going to try and make up with her?

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly and walked forward once more. Looking on at her back as she stared numbly out at the sky. Then he saw her raise her hands up to her eyes, wiping away the tears that were falling from them.

It hurt to see her hurt. She let her hands fall to her sides and he saw the deep cut in her palm. The wound he'd given her out of rage. His burning shame returned at the sight of it. He promised he'd never hurt her and yet, there was the proof he'd done so staring him in the face. Why hadn't she healed her hand? And Serlas said she was burned on her back too. Why wouldn't she heal herself? Or have her father heal her? He didn't understand.

As he moved in closer to her, he found himself afraid to reach out. He didn't want her to look at him like that again, like he was the most cruel person she'd ever known. He extended his hand reaching for hers, before pulling back when she gave a light sigh and she walked forward, standing right at the edge of the cliff.

She shouted then, "Please! Just tell me what to do! Akatosh, Bormahu, Auri-El, whoever you are! Please!" And then her voice came in tearful whispers, "Just talk to me. What do I do now? Just tell me," she let out a sob, pressing her hands to her chest and he cried for her, feeling her pain. No one had ever made him cry before except his brother, and only when he'd died in his arms.

And then he met her and he'd cried more times than he could remember, with her, for her. It didn't matter anymore. She allowed him to feel again, to actually have more than three emotions. She made the numbing pain he carried for so long fade away.

He threw all his reservations aside and took three confident steps forward and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, crossing them over her chest and pressed his face into her hair and said, "I'm so sorry Rona, for yelling at you, for cutting you… for everything. Can you ever forgive me?"

She gave another light sob and clutched at his arms, grasping them and leaned into him. He held her that way for what seemed like an eternity and it felt good. It felt right.

Then she made to turn around, so he loosened his grasp and let her turn to face him, while still holding her close. She looked right into his apologetic and loving eyes with her beautiful green ones, still sparkling with tears and she said, "I forgive you, because I love you and I will always choose you Bishop, no matter who tries to come between us. Please know that."

He made to pull her in for a deeper embrace, but as he ran his hands across her back, she flinched under him.

"Let me see," he whispered. She knit her brows together and turned around. He reached under her hair and undid the button on her dress, she allowed it to fall down her shoulders partway and he got a good look at the awful burn traveling across her right shoulder blade and partway down her back. "Rona," he muttered, dismayed, "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because," she was struggling to find the words again and mumbled, "I deserve it."

"How can you say that?"

She held her hand up and stared at the awful gash he'd given her with his knife and she said, "Don't I though? Always getting myself into trouble, always putting you and everyone I love into harm's way. I need to feel this, I need it to remind me of how much I hurt everyone around me."

He pulled a potion and an old cloth out of his pocket and started to pour the liquid onto the cloth. He pressed it to the burn on her back and said, "You don't deserve to be hurt... You're a good person. Honest and compassionate. You follow your heart and do what you believe is right. Someone like you doesn't deserve to suffer like this. I... I'm sorry that I ever made you feel like you deserved this."

She was quiet then. Letting him rub the potion into the burn on her back. The inflammation on it went down a bit, but he would have to get Serlas to work his magic on it. It wasn't quite as bad as a burn made from direct fire but it was still blistered and red. "Let me see your hand," he said, turning her around.

She held it out and he poured some potion into her palm. She winced with the pain but let him massage it into the wound with a cloth. He caused that wound so he would heal it himself. He'd never be a magic user, but he would learn alchemy, he'd study it more closely and learn to mix potions that could heal even better than her healing hands.

He pulled the cloth away and the gash was looking a lot better and he said, "Mend it, please."

She let her hand go alight with white magic and they watched as the wound closed up entirely, leaving a thin white scar in its place. She flexed her hand and he looked down into her sweet face.

She said, "Whenever I'm being stubborn or stupid, I'll look at this scar to remind me you were right."

He sighed, "Sweetness…"

"It's true," she said, "He tried to kill you, Bishop. I can't trust anyone, not even myself."

"He saved you too," Bishop said, partly frowning, "My arrows couldn't reach you, but his sword did. You were right too. I let my jealousy get the better of me."

She touched his face and he leaned in to kiss her, slowly and deeply. He ran his fingers through her soft locks and pressed her closer to him, making their mouths meet more passionately. She barely parted from his desperate lips, for just a moment to whisper, "Make me forget. Make my agony fade away."

He knew what she meant and he wanted it too. He made their mouths meet again. He would do everything in his power to help her forget their godsforsaken journey.