Rona's Story: An Epic Skyrim Romance

by RonaLightfoot

Rona Lightfoot, a young mercenary from Cyrodiil, ventures to Skyrim after receiving a letter from her mother, who's fallen ill. She finds herself caught up in the middle of a civil war and survives the horrors in Helgen only to meet the crude and cocky ranger, Bishop whom she promises to aid in rescuing his wolf from bandits and along the way discovers she is Dragonborn.

90. Rona's Story: Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Let Us Burn

Rona felt her mind shudder to a stop. Across the way was Bishop, laying in a crumpled heap on the grass, covered in blood. And soaring over the manor was the dragon that did it.

Her mind was reeling. It couldn't be real. None of this was real.

But the roars of the others made it real. She heard them and then turned just in time to see another one of Alduin's lead generals flying towards her now, aiming its claws at her. But did it matter anymore? Bishop was surely dead and what reason was there to go on without him?

But in that second when she nearly allowed the claws of the beast to claim and crush her, as it did him, blue flames exploded all around and a tall nordic woman with sweeping raven hair stood in front of her holding her glinting greatsword in both hands, utterly defying Nosvaat as he roared, "KRII LUN AUS!"

"FUS RO DAH!" She replied in turn. Her shout broke straight through the purplish wave lurching towards them and plowed right into Nosvaat, sending him careening back across the water.

Jillian turned immediately to Rona and shouted, "Slow time now Dragonborn!"

Rona did as told, "TIID KLO UL!"

Everything slowed way down, giving her a chance to collect her thoughts, to process what just happened. Jillian stormed right past her, heading for Bishop and Rona numbly followed, feeling her entire body trembling madly.

Jillian knelt beside him, and pushed him over onto his back. Rona threw her hands to her mouth, she wanted to scream, but her pain and horror only came out in shuddering whimpers.

Bishop was absolutely still, his chest was torn apart by three brutal claw marks. One over his abdomen, the other his rib cage and the third directly over his heart. Jillian looked at her and said, "I can only heal one for it will take the strength out of me. I will try to stay, to fight by your side, but I can only heal one..."

She stood up again, holding her blade over his chest and aimed for the slash across his heart. She lifted it above her head and it glowed with blue fire. She brought it swinging down and stopped just above his chest, over the mark, so that the force of her fires hit it in a sweeping slash. Rona watched as the wound vanished instantly, as though Drogaavlok never slashed him there.

But the other two still remained and it was so awful. He was still losing blood fast - so fast. Jillian knelt down to his side again, looking tired but hanging in there. She put a hand to his neck and said, "He is fading. He barely clings to life," she looked right at Rona then, more serious than ever, "Alduin is in Sovngarde now. He soars over the land of the dead searching for his soul. He means to claim the ranger for himself. You must bring him back from the brink," she looked around as the slowed time was starting to end, "But first we must dispose of the dragon menace."

Rona was just staring down at Bishop's face. It was so pale, eyes barely open, looking lifelessly into the sky. She'd seen it in her nightmares so many times that she couldn't believe it was real. She fell to her knees and clutched his shoulders, her tears streaming quickly. "It's my fault," she whispered, sobbing, "Bishop... I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

(PLAYLIST: The Song is What Have You Done by Within Temptation,

followed by in this order:

Liberators by Epic Score

The Last Stand by Two Steps From Hell,

Divinity I and Divinity II from the FFVII Advent Children Soundtrack)

Her music came in like a heartbeat through the night and a figure flickered into being, standing above, looking down at his own body. Bishop's spirit, translucent and fading looked down at her mournfully and he said, "Don't let me die in vain Rona and don't you dare let that fire inside you burn out. Get mad," he snarled, "Get pissed Ladyship. FIGHT BACK!"

He held his hand out to her and she quickly took it. He grasped her hand, surprisingly solid and pulled her to her feet. He stood by her side, drawing his ghostly bow.

Slow Time broke and Nosvaat came swooping back in, along with Drogaavlok, both looking to tear her apart. She drew her bow, nocking an arrow and her eyes burned with rage and hateful vengeance as she stared them down and sang,

"Would you mind if I hurt you?
Understand that I need to
Wish that I had other choices
Than to harm the one I love"

Her golden flames burst forth as Bishop roared,

"What have you done now!?"

And they both fired spinning, bright arrows into the hides of the beasts set on killing her. Rona's hit Nosvaat and Bishop's buried deep into Drogaavlok. They hissed in pain, screeching and diverted their attacks to retreat across the lake.

Bishop joined her in song making it so much more powerful because it was with him.

"I know I better stop trying
You know that there's no denying
I won't show mercy on you now

I know I should stop believing
I know that there's no retrieving
It's over now, what have you done?
What have you done now?"

They ran forward, to fight for their lives, together.

"I have been waiting for someone like you
But now you are slipping away, oh (What have you done now?)
Why, why does fate make us suffer?
There's a curse between us, between me and you."

Rona shouted ice at the lake, freezing it over. Across the way were both Nosvaat, Drogaavlok and one more familiar, small white dragon. The one that escaped in the Jerall Mountains.

Nosvaat was viciously attacking him, as he hissed back, trying to defend himself.

"[YOU LIED! YOU SAID SHE HAD NO VOICE! DOES IT SOUND AS THOUGH SHE HAS NO VOICE!?]"

"[My lord! I swear to you! She could not speak when I fought her!]"

Drogaavlok noticed them running across the now partially frozen lake and flapped his red wings, roaring, "[THE DRAGONBORN COMES! SUMMON THE OTHERS!]"

Nosvaat ceased his attacks against the now very maimed and bloodied white dragon and stared murderously at them. Then he threw his head to the skies and shouted in succession, "[NOSMEDQO! AGMEDYOL! DIINMEDIIZ!"

Nosvaat and Drogaavlok took flight and Rona and Bishop continued to race forward, bows nocked. The white dragon also tried to fly away, but his wings were torn.

Rona allowed her hatred and anger to burst from within, sending her vicious golden flames forth, licking and biting at the creature, forcing it to recoil and screech in pain. She hated that creature with her entire being. It was the reason Bishop stood as a ghostly figure beside her now instead of a living, breathing solid being.

She and Bishop both started firing arrows into the body of the white dragon as her flames burned it up. She roared with all the fury in her voice and lined up a shot, putting great power into her arrow, which glowed as bright and hot as the sun. She lined up her shot and fired. It cut through the air so fast and pierced the beast's chest cavity, exploding it apart. It fell into a crumpled heap and burned up and she took its soul. Then she turned her eyes to the north where she heard loud roaring coming from the location of the Jerall Mountains.

She watched as three enormous serpentine dragons came flying over the fields, their shadows as big as houses as the moonlight cast over them. They looked just like the one she fought at the Thalmor Embassy, with sleek skin, jutting underbites and hundreds of sharp, crooked teeth lining their jaws. Each one was a different color, cold silver, fiery orange and electric yellow.

She vocalized to the skies, calling for the others. Flaming pillars of white, blue and green burned into being, Eira, Jillian and Kitaere stepped from their fires, weapons in hand, ready to fight.

Each woman kicked off the ground, each aiming for one of the giant dragons bearing down on them. Rona set her sights on Alduin's generals though. She was intent on utterly destroying them both. She aimed for Drogaavlok first and foremost and started firing spinning arrows into his hide. He roared fire at her and she returned her breath of ice. Then she shouted, "SU GRAH DUN!" Increasing the power and speed of her attacks.

But Drogaavlok flew higher, escaping her reach and Nosvaat roared, "[Take down the other mortals to weaken her will! Kill them all!]"

They aimed for the manor then, where Rona saw all of her friends standing by in their finest clothes, with weapons and magic at the ready.

Her father was kneeling over Bishop, doing everything in his power to keep her beloved alive. Lorrie and Linel began casting powerful destruction magic at the beasts as they swooped down, seeking to pick them off.

All her friends were powerful warriors in their own right and they were very ready to face this new challenge. Charissa and Magrob took support with their arrows and bolts, Lorrie and Linel focused on long range magic attacks while Roxlin and Marco were ready and waiting with their melee weapons, her battleaxe and his sword.

The beautiful bride ran in just as Drogaavlok stomped down, going on the offensive, roaring at them all. She swiped at the dragon before her, cutting a bloody swath against his neck which sprayed blood all over her white gown.

Nosvaat took the defensive approach, staying in the skies as he spewed ice at them all, which the mages deflected with their wards.

Rona feared for their lives and raced back across the lake, catching a glimpse of the raging battle between all the Dragonborn women and the daunting serpentine wyrms.

The women absolutely held their own, with Eira focusing shouts of fire against the icy silver one, Jillian took to shouting her freezing ice against the fiery orange beast and Kitaere focused physical attacks, jumping and leaping over the one roaring an electrical power storm against her.

But Rona could not watch them. Whether they survived or died again, it did not matter. Her friends and her father, however, they could not die over and over just to come back and fight again.

She belted across the ice, shouting, "WULD NAH KEST!" And leapt off the ground, spiraling through the air, she landed in the grass and sprinted up the hill firing arrow after white hot arrow as her golden flames grew larger all around her, touching and sticking to the foliage.

She watched as Roxlin nearly lost her arms to Drogaavlok's snapping maw, but Marco leapt in, braver than she'd ever seen him and buried his blade into the beast's cheek. Drogaavlok thrust his head sharply in Marco's direction, however, sending him reeling backward, hard. Roxlin took the opportunity to tear up her beautiful dress and jumped onto Drogaavlok's face, holding her battleaxe with one hand and his horn with the other. He roared, swinging his head wildly, but that tiny woman held on with incredible tenacity.

Rona shouted, "ZUL MEY GUT!" Catching the beast's undivided attention for just a moment and she fired a glowing arrow straight into his eye socket, making him roar in pain as he started to dig at his eye. In his distraction, Roxlin let go of his horn, gripped her battleaxe with both hands, brought it high over her head and furiously slammed it into his skull. He thrust his head back roaring in agony and she clung onto the handle of her axe which was still buried in his skull, so as not to be thrown off.

Rona pelted him with more arrows and didn't notice when Nosvaat flew down blasting ice at her. It caught her in the arm and stung something fierce, she just knew despite the resist frost on her clothes that her arm was completely frostbitten.

She fell to her knee, feeling sudden weakness, which was not good. Her health dictated the ability of the other Dragonborn women to stay in that plane of existence. She tried to turn her focus away from the pain and the others swept in, Charissa and Linel standing protectively around her as Magrob fired shot after shot into Drogaavlok's throat, trying to get to his wife.

The dragon was beginning to weaken and slow, giving Roxlin another opportunity to yank her battleaxe free and swing it hard back into his head. With that final blow, she killed the beast and he collapsed in a heap. Roxlin yanked her axe free once more and quickly leapt into Magrob's arms as Drogaavlok's body burned up and his soul washed over Rona.

All of a sudden the manor shook as one of the serpentine wyrm's smashed right into it, tearing a hole into the building. It was the yellow one and Kitaere was riding it and burying her spear into its back repeatedly. It too died and Rona felt her body take its soul. The wild Dragonborn was covered in blood and her chest heaved as she caught her breath. She gave Rona a crooked smirk, showing off her pointed canines, but then slumped over and vanished in a pillar of green flame, she could fight no more.

Rona looked out at the other two, where fire and ice waged war as they fought their damndest against the serpents. They were struggling to hold their own as Rona felt so tired suddenly, no doubt a side effect of the frostbite, but if she healed herself she would weaken immensely, so she held out.

Then she turned her gaze skyward and saw Nosvaat soaring in predatory circles, either looking for an opening or deciding whether to continue risking his life now that his comrade was dead.

"[Give up now]," she yelled up to him, trying to muster up the courage within herself to face down this horrible beast, "[You won't win this one!]"

Nosvaat slowed his flying and flapped his wings, steadying himself in one place as he looked on at her. Then he grinned as dragons do, his jowls curling up as he said, "[It matters not. For your companion no longer stands at your side. Alduin shall feast upon his soul soon.]" He laughed at her and she looked around, realizing he was right. Bishop's soul was no longer by her side, or anywhere for that matter.

She panicked and stood up searching, when Charissa shouted, "RONA LOOK OUT!"

In that second Nosvaat made his move snatching Rona right off the ground. She'd already been like this once before though and was absolutely not about to let it happen the way it did before again. She shouted, "TIID KLO UL!" slowing time immediately. She could feel as Nosvaat attempted to crush her in his talons, as they were slowly coming to a close. She pulled her arms free and swiped an arrow from her quiver and slammed it into his chest. She took another and another and continued to bury them into his talons and body.

When the shout broke he roared in pain and dropped her. She slowed her fall and took aim with her bow as he flew in a circle, getting ready to take him out. But he did not come for her, instead he roared down at the other two, who were still waging war with Jillian and Eira. He directed them to her then and they pelted off the ground, forgoing their fight with the ghostly women.

Rona was not about to be snatched from the sky like that, so she said the incantation to make herself fall a little faster. They were quick though, despite how huge they were and she aimed herself for a shattered window in the manor, letting herself fall dangerously fast just to escape them. She landed inside at a roll, hitting the carpeted floor a little harder than she liked. She scrambled to her feet and ran just as one of them crashed into the building behind her throwing shrapnel and debris at her back.

She needed her swords and quickly swept into the foyer as a roaring blast of fire engulfed the room she was just in. She nearly slipped on the tile as she hurried down the spiraling staircase and into the drawing room where all her things were. She hurried to the couch and snatched her swords up. Then one thing in particular caught her eye. She saw a distinct little pouch sitting there. She picked it up and opened it revealing the beautiful shimmering aurora of powdered nymph's heart. The gift from the forsworn chieftain.

She recalled his words when he gave it to her, 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 choked back her tears and whispered, "Thank you Cael." Then the window ahead of her blew open and glass shattered everywhere as horrible blue frost hissed inside. She felt a pang of anguish as she thought of Bishop and a flurry of hatred as she thought of the dragons who'd hurt him. She allowed her feelings to burst free in the form of her golden fires, letting them burn away the freezing cold.

The silvery wyrm hissed as her flames licked its flesh and she tore out of there again, desperate to get the life saving ingredient to her father. She held one blade in hand and the pouch in the other and sprint through the foyer and into the atrium. She made to go through the garden when the body of the fiery orange beast smashed down into the trellis, hissing and roaring wildly. She saw her comrades fearlessly fighting off against it. Roxlin was in a mad fury and Magrob was determined to protect his beautiful wife with his life, staying absolutely true to their very recently taken vows. Charissa and Linel were working as backup, firing arrows and casting magic into the creatures angry face.

Rona was ready to end it all though, because the longer the battle waged, the more likely Bishop was to die or one of them would be hurt or even killed. She shouted, "TIID KLO UL!" Freezing time once more. She carefully crawled out a broken window, because the door was now blocked.

She went around the body of the dragon and noticed that Roxlin was in a very precarious position, where the fiery behemoth had every opportunity to take her arms with its snapping jaws. Rona walked right up to the creature and his eyes slowly moved to her, as though it could sense her there and she took her sword and slammed it right into its chest cavity, digging around and pushing for its heart.

She withdrew her sword and did it again, slamming it back in over and over and didn't even realize that she was screaming at it, "I HATE YOU! I FUCKING HATE ALL OF YOU! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"

When she was satisfied that it was dead, she walked between her friends, touching their shoulders in thanks and solidarity for a moment before running off just as the shout broke and she felt the soul of the orange behemoth wash over her. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her towards Bishop's lifeless body. Her father still had his hands to the ranger's chest and was casting powerful glowing white magic over him as he swiftly whispered long strings of Aldmeri incantations. Just as she reached them that damned silver wyrm peered around the smashed manor and eyed her murderously. She stood by her father who looked surprised, but relieved to see her.

She dropped the pouch of shimmering dust next to him and said through her angry tears, "It's nymph's heart, Ata. Please save him." Then she ran forward, leaping over Bishop, drawing her second sword, ready to kill. She would not let the others help her. She would not let anyone risk their lives for her anymore. This was her fight.

She roared, "WULD NAH KEST!" and kicked off the ground, aiming for the side of the manor, she pelted off of it and spun swiftly through the air, somersaulting. The dragon looked at her almost surprised and she shouted, "TIID KLO UL!" slowing time once more. She saw it slowly opening its maw, ready to rip and tear or even shout at her.

"Go to Oblivion," she uttered hatefully and with her in air momentum, she slammed her white hot swords right into the top of its skull and raced down its back, cutting it in twain and absolutely rending its flesh asunder. She leapt off its back, just as the shout broke and it gave a painful roar to the skies. She took its soul and then looked challengingly up at Nosvaat who was hovering nearby, watching it all play out. He gave a low growl of anger at her.

He seemed to second guess his chances then and retreated, flying off towards the Jerall Mountain Range. Rona took a moment to just breathe before she turned back to face the damage.

(The Song is The Promised Land from the FFVII Advent Children Soundtrack)

When she did look what she saw was horrific. Most of the manor had been obliterated in places, other parts were covered in chunks of hard blue ice and a large portion was on fire. Her friends though, seemed to be alright, save for Marco, who was slumped against a wall of the manor, holding what looked like a broken arm while Lorrie worked to heal him.

The rest approached her and Roxlin broke into a sprint and just hugged on her. But Rona did not return the embrace, she pulled free and quickly and numbly walked by them all back to where Bishop lay. She saw her father mixing a vividly colored potion together, one that shone just like the aurora borealis in Skyrim. He carefully poured it over Bishop's two remaining slash wounds, but it did not seem to help at all.

Rona collapsed to her knees beside his body, letting her swords go. Her tears came quickly and steadily and aching sobs burst from her chest as she touched his handsome, but very pale face. His beautiful golden eyes were still open and staring blankly up at the night sky. His lips were blue as though he wasn't breathing which couldn't be right. She didn't want to believe it. Then her father touched her hand and whispered through his own tears, "Rona dear... I'm sorry... I tried... but he..." He could not muster the words but his face said it all to her.

Rona choked on her fitful sobs and hundreds of ghosts, Dragonborn men and women alike, appeared all around them, singing mournfully every painful feeling she felt inside. She buried her face into his chest and cried. She cried and cried for the man she loved, the man who lay dead beneath her. And it was her fault. He was gone because of her. She would never hear his wonderful voice or feel his warm touch again. She would never feel his strong embrace or hear every silly nickname he'd ever thought of for her. She would never have that beautiful happy ending she'd always dreamed of with him...

"Bishop," she whispered as though he could hear her, "I want to travel Skyrim with you. We'll go together, just you, me and Karnwyr. We'll visit all the swemer ruins, won't we? You promised," she sobbed and clutched his shoulders, "Bishop you promised. You promised. We have to. Please. Bishop, Bishop PLEASE. BISHOP! WAKE UP!"

Her cries burst from her chest painfully and she wailed agonizingly to the night sky. It wasn't fair. Why should he have to die and she go on living? It was her they wanted. They should have taken her. Why him? He was good, kind, loving. He'd suffered so much only to fall in love with her. Why had she done this to him? How could she? It was so cruel and so selfish.

Her breaths came in shuddering droves and then she felt a hand touch her shoulder and she looked up. Eira stared down at her with the same bright green eyes.

She said, "His soul lingers at the border of Sovngarde. There is still time. You must bring him back. Find the power within yourself Rona. Reach in and pull him back. Alduin draws close... You must hurry!"

(The Song is Benedy Glen by Celtic Wonder this song will not finish)

Bishop opened his eyes and noticed that it was very bright. Like a bright white all around him with roaring winds. It was strange to him, but he felt so at peace. Then the white started to fade, revealing a sprawling landscape beyond. One that was incredibly beautiful, like a nordic warrior's dreamland. It was Skyrim incarnate, every beautiful part of it brought together in one incredible scene.

He marveled in awe at it. But he noticed something strange too. The ground below was covered in a thick fog and hundreds of Stormcloak and even Imperial nord soldiers wandered through it, seemingly lost. He also heard a song in the distance. A song that described this incredible landscape in all its glory just perfectly. Whoever was singing it, did so beautifully and in a very familiar accent. He felt drawn to the voice, wanting to follow it.

"She's trying to guide the lost souls to the Hall of Valor."

Bishop looked immediately to his right and his eyes widened, "Jules?"

Jules smirked knowingly at him but then they both looked back out over the landscape as a great black dragon soared over the land, roaring deeply. He flew down picking off the lost, wandering souls of the dead and consumed them whole.

"He's back already," Jules said, "He's been waiting for you, you know."

Bishop turned to his brother again and asked, "Why me?"

"To get to her, your girl," he smiled, "But we won't let that happen," then he sighed and said, "It really is a beautiful song. She comes out every day to sing it, trying to give them something to follow through the fog," he knit his thick brows together and said, "Bishop, I know it seems nice here but... you have to go back. She needs you."

"What?" Bishop said, shaking his head, "I don't understand, what are you talking about?"

"She's reaching out for you. Can't you feel it? Listen closely and you'll hear her voice."

Bishop took a breath, still confused, as though he were in a strange dream. But then he heard it, soft and faint like it was echoing through a cave. His name was being called by a very familiar voice.

"Bishop!"

He looked back where the landscape edged off into nothingness. Then he shook his head and said, "No... Jules. I want to stay here with you. I've missed you. Gods... I've missed you. I'm sorry Jules, I'm sorry for what I did. Can you ever forgive me?"

Jules laughed and said, "Bishop, I forgave you long ago, long before it ever happened. Don't ever blame yourself for it. Now go," he looked out at the landscape. Alduin had his sights set on them and Jules grit his teeth, "He's coming. You have to go back."

"Bishop!" The voice was a little louder, more clear and so familiar, so beautiful.

He looked back again and then at his brother who was still urging him on.

"Reach for her and never let go!" Jules shouted as he shoved Bishop backward, into a pair of soft, delicate arms that wrapped around his chest and pulled him back.

Jules just smiled at him and said, "Do me a favor and tell Elise and Holly that I love them. Oh and Bishop... I love you too, brother. Stay strong."

Bishop watched in horror then as Alduin flew down and snatched his brother up into his clutches and consumed his very soul.

"JULES!" He roared trying to reach for his brother to save him, "JUUUUULES!"

(Background music Yuna's Theme from FFX Soundtrack)

His eyes snapped open and he squinted a bit, letting them adjust to the light in the room. Once his vision cleared, he noticed that he was laying on a very comfortable bed in a very nice room. It looked like he was in an infirmary though, with all the potions and medical supplies on shelves and tables everywhere.

The walls were lined with simple light blue wallpaper and the floors were grey stone. There were two windows against the far wall across from him letting in a soft light from outside.

Bishop still felt foggy and couldn't remember why he was there. Then he felt a gentle clutching at his hand and looked down to see Rona, head laying against the bed, and her hand holding his. Her eyelids twitched, like she was dreaming. He grasped her hand with his and it caused her to stir awake. Their eyes met for a moment and she immediately started to cry, grasping his hand even tighter.

He looked on at her sadly and said, "Hey, don't cry beautiful. It's okay... I think."

She let go of his hand and threw herself on him, burying her face into the crook of his neck and just held him tightly. He felt bad for her, but couldn't for the life of him figure out why she was so upset.

She mumbled something into the side of his neck and he chuckled a little and said jokingly, "What's that, Ladyship? I can't hear you when you're so busy kissing my neck."

She pulled back, eyes still streaming with tears and she sobbed, "I'm so sorry Bishop. I'm sorry. I love you!" Then she went right back to hugging on him and crying.

He gave a light and very clueless sigh and said, "I love you too Ladyship, but I'm not gonna lie. I have no idea what you're so upset about."

She pulled back, wiping at her eye, sniffling and said, "You don't remember?"

He shrugged.

Her chest heaved, heavy with more choked sobs and she sputtered, "You... you almost... died."

He blinked and muttered, "Ah..."

"And it's all my fault," she said, her face cringing up more.

The sight of her so distressed made him just want to comfort her. He pulled her back into a tight embrace and said, "It's okay Rona. Don't cry..."

But she only kept it up as he pulled her in close and just held her, trying to soothe her. After a while a pair of imperial nurses came in to check on him. They were very surprised, but pleased to see he was awake and called for Serlas.

The old elf came in and gave an immense sigh of relief, "By the gods Bishop! You scared us all half to death!"

Bishop just chuckled still lost as he held the weeping Dragonborn in his arms and gently stroked her back and hair. "Mind filling me in on what happened exactly?" He glanced down at the top of Rona's head and said, "Because I don't think she's capable of speech between all the crying and blubbering."

Serlas smiled gently and took a seat in the chair Rona had been sitting in and folded his hands neatly in his lap, "You were nearly killed by a dragon."

"A dragon... here in Cyrodiil? We're still in Cyrodiil right?"

Serlas chuckled, "Yes. We're in the infirmary in the Imperial Palace."

"Alright... so how did this dragon almost kill me?"

"With three slashes to your body, one across your abdomen, one across your ribs and one across your heart. Jillian managed to heal the one over your heart, which may just have saved your life. And our dear Dragonborn here managed to fight off six powerful dragons just to save you."

"Whoa," he looked down at Rona and said, "Ladyship, you really did that?"

She just gripped him harder in reply and he shook his head smirking at her.

Serlas continued, "Well, as she and the rest of the Fighter's Guild worked to kill them all, I was doing my best to keep you alive. I honestly don't think my magic helped... I'm almost positive you really did die on us Bishop."

"Then how am I here now?" He asked perplexed.

"Well, a combination of things really. It seems that if you are a hero chosen and blessed by Akatosh you are granted some special privileges, one of which is the ability to reach into the realm of Sovngarde and pull the lingering soul of a loved one right back out again. The other thing which saved you was a powerful potion mixed with ground nymph's heart. I hate to say it, but it seems you owe some gratitude to a certain forsworn chieftain for that."

Bishop just gaped at him, "You can't be serious. I'm alive because of that soft-spoken, skirt-wearing freak?"

Serlas smiled and nodded slowly, then he asked, "How are you feeling by the way? Your wounds seemed to have healed over quite well, though last I looked you had some very large scars."

"I feel fine," he said, then he nudged Rona and said, "Hey Sweetness, mind letting me take a look at myself?"

She shook her head, burying her face more into him and clutching him harder. He laughed again and said, "Damn... you're really choked up about this aren't you?"

She just gave a deep sob and Serlas asked, "You really don't remember any of it?" Bishop just shook his head. "What's the last thing you do recall?"

Bishop tilted his head back and thought about it. He remembered a peaceful evening near the lake by the manor, sitting in the grass and chatting with his lovely Ladyship about all the dwemer ruins they were going to scour through.

"Just sitting by the lake talking with Rona," he said, "That's the last thing I remember."

"Probably for the best," Serlas said, "It really was dreadful. But I'm incredibly grateful to see you in such good health." Then he stood up and touched Rona's arm and said, "Velvyn, let me get a look at his wounds, will you?"

She pulled back, face a hysterical red mess and she relented, letting him go. She stood back as Serlas helped Bishop out of his bandages and he looked down at himself. Sure enough he had two huge and jagged white scars, one across his abdomen and the other a little higher, wrapping around his ribs. He scoffed a little, "Wow. Well just add it to the rest of them I guess."

Serlas ran a hand over them, pressing on them, "Tell me if it hurts."

The one over his ribs was fine, but when Serlas pressed on the one over his guts it felt painful. He grit his teeth and grunted, "That hurts a bit."

Serlas sighed and said, "I'm going to brew some more of Qetesh's elixir and add some of that nymph's heart. I'll give it you to drink and see if that helps."

"Sounds good," he said. Serlas took his leave then and Rona grasped his arm. He smiled at her, "Well, what're you waiting for beautiful? Come over here already."

She gave a slight smile and crawled back onto the bed with him, embracing him again. He held her in his arms, pressing his face to her sweet smelling hair as she rest her cheek against his chest. She stroked his arm and said, "Bishop... do you remember being in Sovngarde?"

"Hm?" He thought about it, "No, not at all," he chuckled, "as if they'd let someone like me in there."

"You were there," she said, "I found you. I pulled you out."

"Thanks for saving me Lightfoot."

She paused a moment and then said, "I couldn't save him..."

"Save who Sweetness?"

She looked up into his face again, teary eyed once more, face cringing as she made to break into more fitful sobs and choked out, "I couldn't save Jules." He looked at her, mystified and she said, "Alduin took him Bishop... he took his soul. He was protecting you."

He just stared at her for a minute and then pulled her back in, letting her cry against his chest some more. He whispered, "Shh, shh... it's okay. It's going to be okay."

After the nurses checked in on Bishop and Serlas gave him his mixed potion, Bishop seemed well enough to get up and move again. They decided then to leave and return to Skyrim, only a day after the attack at the manor.

They stood outside the north gates of the city and the entire Fighter's Guild stood by, looking to see them off. Roxlin and Magrob brought Karnwyr with them, who they'd been kindly looking after overnight while Bishop recovered.

Roxlin hugged Rona tightly and said, "We'll be in Skyrim in another month! Right after our honeymoon!"

Rona sighed a little and said, "I'm so sorry for everything that happened Roxie... and your parent's house..."

Roxlin pulled back and smiled widely, "Are you kidding? That was the best way to end my wedding! Battling dragons like that? Pft, best story ever to tell our kids someday! Too bad the rest of my family were all a bunch of scared little babies and ran off to find cover or whatever," she giggled and Rona laughed a little with her.

Bishop stepped forward and shook Magrob's hand and said, "Looking forward to having you both close by."

"Definitely," Magrob said with a grin, "Be sure to come see us any time over in Fort Dawnguard. We'll have these mutts with us too and I'm sure Karnwyr wouldn't mind visiting them."

"Yeah," Bishop chuckled, looking down at the wolf, who was laying between the two huskies, "Honestly, I don't think he wants to leave at all."

Rona gave big hugs to both Lorrie and Linel as well and they said almost in unison, "Going to miss you Lightfoot."

She smiled and said, "I'm going to miss you both too, all of you."

Marco sighed, "I'm a bit disappointed. Never did get that dance you promised me back in Solitude."

"Aw Marco," she said giving him a friendly hug too.

He smiled and said, "Watch yourself woman. Seriously. You're like my little sister, just like Roxie here and well... I'd throw myself in front of one of those overgrown lizards all over again if I had to. Promise me you'll stay safe?"

"I will," she assured him. Then she glanced over at Charissa who was leaning against a wall, arms crossed and staring hard at the ground.

Rona went over to her and asked, "You okay?"

She sighed, "I dunno... What the hell am I gonna do about the guild now that everyone's leaving?"

Rona said cheerfully, "Start recruiting!"

Charissa chuckled, "Yeah sure. As if I'll ever get a team as good as you guys again."

Rona hugged her friend then and Charissa hesitated but then hugged her back and sniffled a little, "Please be safe Rona. We all love you and never want to see you get hurt."

"I know," she whispered back, "I promise I'll stay safe."

They pulled apart and both wiped at their own tears. Lorrie and Roxlin ran over and hugged Serlas then and he shook hands with the others. They finished saying their farewells and went to leave when Roxlin shouted, "Rona wait! Almost forgot!"

She grabbed a tightly wrapped parcel she had leaning against the wall. She went over and pressed it into Rona's hands, "Richelle wanted to make sure you didn't forget your new armor!"

"Oh yeah," Rona said smiling, "Tell her thanks again for me, please?"

"I will," Roxlin said and gave her one last tight hug and they were off.

It took them three days to return to Skyrim. Illia was pleased to see them all when they finally arrived at the farm and she celebrated their return with a lavish feast that Bishop helped her cook.

Everyone was in good spirits despite what had happened before. Even Rona, which surprised Bishop. She laughed and joked with them, smiling widely every time she told a new crazy story from their time in Cyrodiil. He thought that maybe she really was finally making the effort to drop her worries and fears and just be more leisurely about their journey.

On the third day of their return to the farm Bishop pulled out a map of Skyrim and laid it out on the dining table. He'd started marking the locations of all the dwemer ruins he'd ever come across on his travels through each hold and began marking out a route for them, starting in the Reach.

He wanted to take her there, because she'd never really been before. It was definitely one of the more dangerous places in Skyrim, so once they'd finished there, they could move on to the slightly safer areas. It seemed the logical choice, although he did worry about her trust in the forsworn. He figured once they met a new tribe that attempted to slaughter them that she'd change her mind really fast about that.

She came into the house then, with her father at her side and fresh food supplies from Falkreath in their arms. She set everything she had on the counter and walked over to Bishop and looked at the map.

He smiled and said, "Already got it all laid out Ladyship, figured we'd start with the Reach and work our way up north, maybe zigzag up and down a bit. What do you think?"

She smiled softly and said, "Sounds great, but..."

"What?"

"I was hoping we could visit High Hrothgar first."

He raised a brow at her, "Why? Oh, want to train a little more first?"

"No, it's more personal," she said, "I just really want to finish spreading my mother's ashes and I wanted to do it at the Throat of the World."

He shrugged, "Whatever you want Ladyship. This is your journey."

She smiled and hugged him, "Thanks. I want to leave tomorrow. Get moving again, oh and... let's take the long way."

He laughed a little, "Like, towards Whiterun and back that way?"

"Yeah," she said, "I want to visit a few places first before we get there. Just take it slow."

He smiled and nodded, "Tomorrow then."

She went back to helping her father put away their supplies and Bishop put a hand in his pocket, fingering the engagement ring sitting there. It had been heavy on his mind. He'd wanted to ask her very soon, but he was struggling to find the words, the best way to propose. He also wanted to talk to someone else about it first.

The next morning Bishop got up very early. He carefully crept out of their shared bed, so as to not wake her, got dressed and went into the living quarters where he found Serlas, the early riser enjoying a cup of tea and some oatmeal while he pored over an old book on the dining table.

Serlas glanced up at him and said, "It's quite early Bishop. Planning to leave already?"

"Not yet," he said, "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute," he glanced back at the slightly ajar door to Rona's room and said, "Maybe outside?"

Serlas raised a brow and set his teacup down and said, "Alright."

Bishop led the way outside and around the side of the home, nearest to Illia's room. His heart was pounding in his chest realizing he was about to tell Serlas this, about to ask him for his blessing. If he was this nervous just doing that, he wondered if his heart might really explode when he actually proposed to her.

Serlas stared at him expectantly and Bishop cleared his throat and said, "So... I'm not very good at this sort of thing, but... um. Shit," he laughed trying to find the words. When they wouldn't come he just pulled the ring from his pocket and showed it to Serlas.

A huge grin sprawled across the elf's lips and he said, "Oh my Bishop. This is so sudden. We really hardly know each other."

Bishop laughed pretty hard at that and said, "Alright, you got me. So... yeah. I uh," he sighed, "I'm going to ask her to marry me and I really wanted your blessing. You're like a father to me. A real father and I hope that you'll accept me into your family."

Serlas started to nod his head, still grinning and then he stepped forward and pressed his hands to Bishop's shoulders and said, "You are already family, my son." And then the old elf hugged him and Bishop felt his eyes stinging with tears a bit.

Serlas pulled back and asked, "May I see it?"

Bishop handed him the ring and he looked it over. "The craftsmanship... this is stunning, truly," he touched the centerpiece with a slender finger, "And this gem, I've never seen anything like it. Gods this must have cost you an arm and a leg."

Bishop laughed, "You have no idea," then he paused and asked, "Think she'll like it?"

Serlas handed it back to him and replied with the biggest grin, "She will love it because it came from you."

It meant a lot to him knowing that Serlas approved and even more that he'd already accepted him into their family and that he thought of him as a son.

Their entire trip from the farm, through Riverwood and beyond Whiterun was very peaceful. They rode steadily along the path, Karnwyr chasing rabbits, birds and foxes, happy as could be. Rona couldn't seem to stop singing either and her smile was absolutely infectious. Many passersby would stop and greet her and she'd sing for them, or share a story about one of her adventures.

More and more people were starting to recognize her as the Dragonborn. Bishop wondered if new rumors had started to circulate, corrected ones in fact.

It didn't seem to matter either way. She was enjoying herself immensely and so was he. He loved being by her side and spending that time together.

When they came along the path near the falls, just past Valtheim Towers, Rona stopped suddenly and said, "I want to stay here again."

"Mm, I would not mind that Ladyship. Want to revisit some fond old memories?"

She laughed and blushed, "Yes, actually."

(The Music is Quen a Omagen by Erutan)

They made camp for the night and as Bishop sat by, stoking and prodding the fire with a stick and listening to her lovely lute she asked, "So... the first time..." she trailed off.

He raised his brows at her smirking, "Yes, Princess? The first time, what?"

Her blushing cheeks seemed to burn more in the firelight, "The first time we made love... why didn't you take the dominant role?"

He chuckled and shrugged, "It's just easier when you let a virgin go at their own pace."

Her face seemed to burn even more at that remark.

He rolled his eyes and tossed the wood piece into the fire and dusted his hands off, "What? You asked."

"Did you like it? Doing it that way with me?"

He scoffed, "Ladyship, I would have loved to have done it any way with you. Still want to do it any way with you. However you want, whenever you want, wherever you want."

Her eyes flicked up to his, meeting his gaze through the firelight and she said, "How about right now?"

He grinned at her, "You want to reenact our first time?"

She blushed again, "I don't know about that. I was pretty sore afterwards."

"You were? Should have told me."

"Yeah, but I didn't want to stop doing it..."

"I remember," he laughed, "There was even a dragon roaring around the place and you still wouldn't quit."

She smiled, laughing too and he stood up then and walked over to her and sat down behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He rest his chin on her shoulder and she leaned back into him, still gently playing her lute.

"I like this," she said.

"Hm?"

"Being here with you."

He hummed, smiling, "Me too."

Then she asked, "Bishop, what do you like about me?"

"Hah, so many questions this evening." She turned her head a little, meeting his gaze and he said, "What do I like about you? Well... you're fun, snarky, quick-witted. You have a damn sexy body Lightfoot, I'll tell you that much and you're really great in bed."

"Am I really?" She sounded surprised.

"Fucking amazing," he kissed her cheek and started nipping down the side of her neck as he said, "You're very, very sexy. Your smell too, it's just incredible. I don't know what it is about you, but I love your scent, even more now since becoming a werewolf," he kept up the playful kisses and the compliments, making her moan a little through a wide smile, "And your voice. Gods I love your voice," he paused the motions suddenly and said, "When you lost your voice Rona... I felt like... it was the worst thing that had ever happened. I can't live without the sound of your beautiful voice."

(The Music is Rimani by Mattia Cupelli)

She set her lute aside then and turned in his arms, facing him, looking almost mournful all of a sudden, which surprised him a little. But then she kissed him and he pulled her into a passionate embrace, returning her eagerness a hundred fold.

He wanted to make love to her there in that special place. To truly make love, not just have sex. He wanted her to be his wife and to love her every day for the rest of their lives.

He honestly believed she felt the same, he knew she did, when she buried her hands into the back of his head and pulled him that much closer to her lips, biting and nibbling and touching with just their mouths alone.

Their pleasured moans echoed through the forest. He wanted more of her, so he ran his hands up the back of her neck, undoing that feeble little button on her dress and pulled it down enough to reveal her beautiful chest. He quickly cupped his hands to her breasts and kneaded them, making her release her perfect pleasured cries as she pulled her mouth away from him.

He was panting with need and desire for her. He wanted so much to show her true passion, to put all his feelings for her into action. He buried his face into her neck, nipping and biting and breathed, "Rona. I love you. I love you so much. I want to make love to you."

"Oh Bishop," she moaned back.

He pulled back from her neck and looked deeply into her eyes and said, "I want to make love to you always."

"Yes," she whimpered, "Yes, please. I love you Bishop. I love you so much."

They pulled apart for just a moment, both standing to tear their clothes off of their bodies before reuniting once again, lovers under the stars touching, fondling and feeling all over each other's bodies, like it really was the first time all over again.

He ran his fingers through her wet folds, touching her swollen nub while he enjoyed the feeling of her grasping his hardness and stroking him. She knew just how to pleasure him in all the right ways. They'd spent so much time together, learning and teaching one another how they loved to be touched. They fit together like a perfect puzzle, like they were made for each other. He didn't understand why he could never get enough of this woman. There was just something about her and he wanted to surrender himself to her. He wanted to be with her forever.

Bishop pressed his lips forcefully to hers, taking her tongue in his mouth and feeling all over her soft, supple body with one hand while he continued to touch her intimately between her legs with the other. He couldn't wait another second, so he gently pushed her down, onto their bedrolls and she lay there, so ready and willing for him. When she spread her legs apart and held her hands out, begging for him, "Bishop please. I need you. Make love to me." He lost it. He fell to his knees, between her beautiful thighs, running his hands over them and grasping her hips, he buried himself into her so quickly. In one swift thrust they'd become one and it felt so natural, so right.

They were meant to be this way together. He thrust harder and faster into her, overcome with his emotions and love for her. He groaned into her neck, feeling the pleasure of their bodies pressed so closely together. She gasped and bucked her hips back. Yes, she felt the same. She had to. This was meant to be.

It was not long before both of them were heaving and panting, hot and heavy into each other's ears. Rona wrapped her legs tightly around his back and he pulled her into a tight embrace with his strong arms, seeking to hold her close, to protect her and keep her safe always.

He felt it coming then, everything he had and she did too. She breathed, "Bishop! Bishop! I - I - I'm coming!"

"Oh gods Rona! I coming too!"

They grasped each other tighter than ever as his shuddering climax washed over him and hers convulsed through her entire body. He truly did give her everything he had then and she took it all willingly. Someday he thought... someday they would do this to have a family and he wanted that more than ever with her.

He breathed into her ear again and again, "I love you Rona. I love you."

"Oh Bishop," she sighed, "I love you too."

(The music is Snow Angels by Thomas Bergersen)

They stood in front of the great grey monastery. Rona stared up at it and sighed a little. It had taken them a week to arrive because they'd spent at least a day at all their most private places. First at the falls and then the hot springs and finally at Nilheim. Remembering all their firsts together and enjoying their time together. They told stories and laughed together and made love over and over again.

Bishop was still trying to find the right moment, the right way to propose to her. He'd spent nearly every night after Rona had drifted off to go practice everything he was going to say to her. He was ready and he wanted it to be there. Not in the monastery, hell no. But up there, on that mountain. At the Throat of the World. It wasn't ideal, but he was making himself anxious putting it off.

He looked on at her as she stared up at the building. Their entire hike up she seemed a little sadder. He wondered if it was thoughts of her mother. They were there to finish spreading the woman's ashes, so naturally it would be weighing on her mind. He hoped to the gods he wasn't making a mistake choosing that place and time to propose, but he felt that if anything it would cheer her up again, that it would put an enormous smile on her face. He was looking forward to that.

Finally she stepped forward, moving up and along the steps and into the monastery. They met briefly with the Greybeards, Arngeir was thrilled to see them, asking if they had the Elder Scroll. Rona gave him the bad news, granted, considering how apathetic he was to the entire situation it didn't seem to bother him that much. She didn't seem interested in dwelling there and conversing as she quickly excused herself and they both made their way outside and up the path towards the Throat of the World.

The entire way up was absolute silence. Rona seemed very focused with every step she took. He was almost amused by how serious she was taking this final spreading of her mother's ashes. Finally when they reached the peek they saw Paarthurnax off in his usual spot, perched on the blank word wall.

They approached the great grey beast and he seemed happy to see her, jowls curling into a grin, he said kindly, "Greetings dovahkiin. Drem yol lok."

She spoke to him in dragon tongue, which always impressed Bishop. Even that hard language she made sound so elegant and beautiful.

"Paarthurnax, zu'u lan hin aak," she said. He only caught bits and pieces because he didn't understand a word of it. He wondered why she didn't just say it in Cyrodiilic. Paarthurnax obviously knew their language, so why not just speak normally? "Bo ko fin strunmah erei zu'u bo," she finished.

"Zu'u mindoraan vahdin. Zu'u fen bo," the old dragon replied and then he flapped in the air and took off, flying over and around the mountain.

"Where's he going?" Bishop asked.

She said, "I asked if he wouldn't mind giving me some privacy while I spread her ashes."

Bishop raised a brow at her back but shrugged it off. His stomach was turning like crazy out of sheer nervousness. He had his hand in his pocket and was rolling that little ring through his fingers over and over again.

Rona started walking through the snow as the wind picked up and caught her cloak in the air, making it flap around her. He followed her to the edge of the mountain, overlooking the north of Skyrim. It really was beautiful seeing it all from that height. Even higher than the Emperor's suite in the Imperial Palace. They were literally on top of the world and it was so clear out. Not a cloud in the sky as the sun was setting off the in the distance. He could only imagine how incredible the aurora borealis would look up there that evening. He hoped they'd stay for it.

Rona gave a deep sigh and pulled her mother's urn from her pouch. She held the little round urn in her hand, tracing the flowery carvings with her thumb and then she opened the lid and poured the dust into the air. It was swept away on the wind and they watched as the last remnants of her mother disappeared across the sky.

He glanced at her. She seemed so deep in thought. He knew how that felt. He swallowed hard then, heart pounding so damn hard in his chest. Bishop two steps closer to her and said, "Rona, there's something I want to ask you."

She looked up at him and asked, "What is it?"

He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling as he grasped her hands into his, "Rona... you know what I feel for you, right?"

"Of course," she said smiling feebly.

"You're a part of who I am now and you're always going to be. I want to be a part of your life too. I want you to be mine and have no one question it for the rest of our lives. I want," he sighed losing track of what he was saying, "Look, the first time I saw you," he chuckled shaking his head, "Scratch that, the second time I saw you, I knew you were going to be special to someone, being as beautiful as you are. How could you not be? And I couldn't let you go without stopping you, because whoever that guy was, he'd be so much better for you than I was," he laughed, "I hated that lucky bastard."

She stared into his eyes, her brows knit tightly together as he spoke, "Then we got to talking, we stuck together. You listened and showed me trust again and I wanted you from the very first day," he smiled, "I'll never be ashamed to admit that. But I hadn't realized that I was the lucky bastard I hated so much, until you said you loved me."

He reached into his pocket then, pulling out the engagement ring and held it up in front of her. Her expression was not entirely what he'd hoped for, though he felt she was probably just overwhelmed with emotion.

"I uh... had this ring made for you. Paid for it with my winnings in the Arena, designed it myself, mostly," he laughed a little then cleared his throat again and said, "I'm in love with you Rona. Yours are the only words that matter to me now. Will you marry me and be mine forever?"

Her lower lip trembled and she made a shuddering sound like she was choking back her tears. But she looked far too sad for it to be tears of joy.

She looked up into his eyes, tears now streaming and she shook her head and breathed almost a whisper, "I can't. Not now."

It felt like his heart was torn in half. He frowned at her, knitting his brows together and uttered, "Why not Rona? Why?"

A sob broke from her chest and she cried, "You don't understand," and then she buried her face in his chest.

"Rona... I know that your journey has been hard. I know. I've been with you every step of the way damn it," he was shaking, his own words coming out and shaking, "But why not?" He grasped her shoulders, pushing her back so he could look into her face, "We have no idea when our last day will be, no idea. But whenever that day comes I want it to be as husband and wife. I want you Rona. I want you to be my wife. I love you. Don't you want that too?"

Her face cringed and she sobbed, "I do Bishop. I want it more than anything but... you don't understand."

(The Song is Let Her Go by Within Temptation)

Suddenly the sound of a piano started to play and all the Dragonborn women shuddered into being around them on that mountain. Bishop looked over and saw Eira playing a strange piano built into the word wall while Jillian sang the most mournful song he'd ever heard in his life.

"Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch oh it dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go"

Bishop just stared at Jillian for a moment taking in her words. Taking in the meaning behind them and letting them burn into him. His heart was racing now as Rona broke into deep agonizing sobs and he looked at her, his own tears streaming suddenly, but he felt angry and afraid and he said, "No... NO. You can't. You can't do this. YOU CAN'T DO THIS. NO!"

She sobbed and looked up, her face distorted with anguish, "I'm sorry Bishop. I'm so sorry! I love you. I love you so much, but I can't-"

"NO!" He roared shaking her shoulders, "I WON'T LET YOU GO! I won't Rona! You can't do this!" He threw a hand to his chest and he bellowed angrily at her, "You don't get to do that to me! You can't just come into my life like that and make me tell you all those things and - and - make me love you Rona. If you leave it will kill me!"

"IF I STAY YOU WILL DIE!"

He shook his head, "I'm not going to die Rona-"

"YOU ALMOST DIED BECAUSE OF ME!" She screamed, then she took a deep breath and said, "I can't stay with you Bishop. I won't let you die because of me. I'm sorry. Please... I'm so sorry. I love you so much, I never wanted to hurt you-"

He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a tight embrace and cried, "I won't let you go Rona. I won't. Don't do this, please. I'm begging you. Don't leave me."

She embraced him back and whispered, "It's the only way to save you."

He clung to her dearly and then he looked right at Jillian and roared, "SHUT UP! FUCKING SHUT UP YOU STUPID BITCH!" He grit his teeth, shaking all over as he clutched dearly to her, cringing and sobbing with her and then he just begged, "Don't do it Rona. Don't go."

She said, "I'm sorry," then she shouted, "FEIM ZII GRON." and her body became transparent. He literally fell through her, unable to hold her.

She started to walk away from him, towards the edge of the cliff and he turned and ran after her roaring, "NO! RONA NO!"

Then she shouted, "TIID KLO UL."

When he blinked, she was solid again and already twenty paces away from him. He tried to run for her, to stop her and she just looked back mournfully and said, "I love you Bishop. Goodbye."

Then she shouted, "WULD NAH KEST!" And leapt off the mountain. He stopped short at the edge and watched as she landed softly on Paarthurnax's back and flew off into the sunset. He fell to his knees and pound his fists into the snow and roared, "ROOONAAAAA!"

Rona held tightly to Paarthurnax's horns and felt her tears flying in the wind.

The old dragon said, "Where shall we go young dovahkiin?"

"Just fly," she said, "Just fly..."

(The Song is Let Us Burn by Within Temptation)

All of her feelings formed into a powerful song that burned all around her and she released her emotions then. She remembered what Kodlak told her, It will break your hearts and what the seer told her when she asked how to save him, the woman had touched her hand and said, you already know the answer to that and then when Jillian told her in a dream to steel herself for what she must do. And she did. She steeled herself for this. She roared to the skies every painful and aching word, facing her destiny head on. Doing what she had to do.

"The darkness has come to the roses
The fire is reaching the end
The colors that I have created
Are suddenly flying away

I'm not fighting myself, will not follow
'Cause my choices are mine, it's my fate
And I'll never bow down from the sorrow
I'll face all that is coming my way

Denying the devil of silence
Embracing the world on the edge"

Her golden fires exploded forth and fluttered in the sky behind her. Paarthurnax roared his own flames out, joining her anthem of pain as they flew across Skyrim and night fell around them. Together they set the sky on fire and flew through the glowing aurora borealis.

Her heart ached for him, even more now that he had asked her to marry him. She hated herself so much for doing it. For leaving him on top of the mountain like that. But she'd already made her decision the night she held his wounded body in her arms in the infirmary. She knew she couldn't stay. She could not watch him die because of her. No matter how much it broke his heart, at least he would live. He would be alive so long as she was not there with him.

"I'm searching no more for tomorrow
I reach for the skies while I can
The unknown will always be waiting
My last day I'll jump in its hands

I'm not fighting myself, will not follow
'Cause my choices are mine, it's my fate
And I'll never bow down from the sorrow
I'll face all that is coming my way

Denying the devil of silence
Embracing the world on the edge"

She made her plans the entire time and had everything ready. She feigned her happiness, pulling out the joy within and let it out for him. She spent her time with him, giving him every last bit of love she could before she did what she had to do and now she steeled herself to go on without him, to finish her journey so that someday she could go back to him a woman finally free from the burden of her horrible destiny.

Rona looked out over the land of her birth. It was so beautiful flying over it like that. She wanted him to see. She wanted him to be there with her. She grit her teeth, shook off those feelings and sang,

"Why, why don't you let me burn?
Why don't you count downAnd break out and let us burn?

Oh why, why don't you let me burn?
Why don't you let me burn?Why don't you let me burn?

Oh why?You're raising the demons in my mind
Oh why am I, waiting for chains throwing me to the ground?

Now darkness has come to the roses
The fire is reaching the end"

Paarthurnax dove through the sky then, spiraling downward and looping around. The feeling of it was amazing to her, it was so freeing. She really was a dragon at heart, she had to be. It felt so right to be in the sky like that. She breathed allowing her feelings to disperse behind them, leaving her with her flames as they cast off in great, golden vestiges. She would paint the skies with her pain.

"Let us burn, Let us burn
And light up the skies here tonight
Let us burn, Let us burn
In this fire that makes us yearn
Whoa! We're fighting our fear of the silence
We're running through walls where they stand
Let us burn, Let us burn, Let us burn"

(The music is Love Lost by Mattia Cupelli)

Paarthurnax landed down by the farm and Rona used her shout to slow time, not wanting to face her father. She quickly went into her room and changed out of her dress, pulling out the leathers Richelle had made for her and put them on. She stepped in front of the mirror and ran glowing fingers through her hair, changing its color and then waved a hand over her eyes to change them too. She took her dress and laid it on the bed and placed a neat envelope on it with the name, Bishop, written on it. She grabbed her travel pack and didn't look back once. She hurried down to the lake then and stopped in front of Paarthurnax who was happily enjoying Eira's company as she pressed a hand to his nose.

The dragon looked at Rona then and asked, "What will you do now dovahkiin?"

"I'm going to find the Elder Scroll," she said.

He purred low and said, "I do hope you find it vahdin. I wish you well on your journey Rona of Dragon Fangs."

She smiled up at him, "Rona is dead. Be sure to let the Greybeards know, spread the word. The Dragonborn is dead."

Then she turned and walked off into the night. She knew she would have to be quick. Her ranger would come looking, he had a two day trip climbing down that mountain, but she figured he would make it one, running the entire way, no doubt and she could not be found. Not now. She would finish this journey alone. She would never allow another person to risk their life or die for her.

Bishop stared hard at the snow. His chest ached painfully and he felt overwhelmed with so many emotions. He heard her song off in the distance and he knew why she did it, but it didn't hurt any less. He grit his teeth, wiped his tears away, stood up and whistled for his wolf. He took long, fast strides through the snow and furrowed his brows furiously over his eyes. "Come on Karnwyr. We have a Dragonborn to track."

- End of Book One -