No End in Sight

by Ebony Niteshade

What if Mehrunes Dagon could come back to Tamriel and wreak havoc? What if his ticket in is the Dovahkiin... who is also a Septim? And what if there was a shout that caused Odahviing to be able to change into a human and the Dovahkiin into a dragon? Will the Empire and Skyrim put their differences behind them or will all of Tamriel fall?

3. Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Dragonborn/Dovahkiin's P.O.V

The land of Cyrodiil was calm… to quiet. It seemed as if all vibrance was faded away from the landscape. I looked around at the dead trees that surrounded the broken cobblestone pathway that lead to Wenyon Priory. My heart hung heavy within my chest as I gripped tightly to Shadowmere's reins.

What happened to the vibrant appearance I saw in all those old paintings? The scenery has seemed to die with my bloodline, I thought to myself.

Finally the priory came into view. The door hanging on by one hinge with the bottom charred from a fiery explosion. The stone work was overgrown with dead vines as the structure crumbled with age and neglect. I cringed at the busted windows and shattered glass that surrounded the area. Skeletons wearing Blades armor strewn about… some with arrows still stuck in their eye sockets and others with swords stuck up in their ribs. My stomach tightened around itself in knots as a wave of nausea washed over me. I pulled Shadowmere to a halt in front of the priory doors as I dismounted in one quick fluid motion. I turned around as Shadowmere nudged my shoulder and neighed quietly. Patting his nose I walked towards the doorway and stood within its frame.

"Hello? Is there anyone here," I asked in a loud voice.

My question faded out as no response came. I pulled my cowl down with my hood as I casted candlelight spell. The orb of light floated around my face as it illuminated the inside of the priory. I gasped as my hand flew to my mouth as I saw dried bloodstains within along with more skeletons. Swallowing the thick lump in my throat, I stepped over the first skeleton and continued to the small set of stairs. To the left old bed frames were toppled over and broken and splintered into pieces. My spell soon began to fade as I cast another ball of light. The chest drawers were all emptied as candle holders held candles burnt down to the quick. I turned to the right to find bookshelves lining the stone walls to my left, and the rest of the room was empty.

"There's nothing here… no sign of the Amulet of Kings," I mumbled to myself.

I leaned against one of the bookshelves as it groaned. I closed my eyes to clear my head till the bookshelf squealed and gave way behind me. I yelped in surprise as I fell a ways before splashing into water. I quickly swam up to the surface as I gasped for air. I looked around to find myself in a massive cavern covered with old relics and chests. I casted candlelight as I swam to solid ground. Observing the structure around me I noticed it was newer compared to Wenyon Priory while I hoisted myself up as water rolled off my leather pants. I wiped my face as I made my way around the hidden room. Paintings laid covered up with bright, expensive trinkets strewn about them and chests filled with gold coins lining the walls. Enchanted and non enchanted weapons were all hung up and shining. I furrowed my eyebrows as I traveled my hands across the spines of old books. Most of them about the history of the Mythic Dawn, Mehrunes Dagon and the Septim bloodline.

This must be a hidden chamber my ancestors established to preserve the history of my bloodline, I thought to myself.

Finally my eye caught a small silver box on an old end table. Kneeling down beside it I blew away the dust to reveal the Septim mark engraved on the top of the lid. I saw a small scroll perched at the front. As I unrolled the scroll words become clear: I open for one Septim.

I paid more attention to the make of the box as I noticed it was of Akaviri make and it had a space big enough to fit a coin through. I reached into my pouch and pulled a gold coin out placing it in the slot. After the coin clinked against the bottom, nothing happened. I sighed in frustration as I attempted to open the box with another coin but it ended with the same results. Stumped, I let out a huff of air while I examined the riddle once more. Then it struck me. I was the key.

"I'm as dumb as a troll," I grumbled to myself.

I stood up pulling out an arrow using the head to cut my palm. Hissing I squeezed my blood into the slot. Slowly but surely the box began to glow and unravel its locks. And there before me lay the Amulet of Kings with journals marked with names on the spines. The Amulet itself was shattered into pieces and the chain tarnished with neglect. The spines of the journals were well worn and used.

I emptied my pouch full of coins and my knapsack of supplies. I stuffed the journals into the knapsack and laid the Amulet of Kings in the pouch. Once both were secure on my person, I quickly began to scan the cavern for an exit to the surface. I noticed a tunnel leading away from everything so I followed. Soon the trek took a steep incline till I reached a lever all out of breath. Once I pulled the lever, a secret door was opened up on the floor of the old stables. I whistled for Shadowmere and my ears were greeted with the horse's hooves come up to the edge of the entrance as his head leaned forward making the reins reachable. I grabbed ahold of the reins and clicked my tongue causing the horse to walk backwards, hoisting me up onto the stable floors.

I stood checking to make sure the knapsack and pouch had stayed tightly closed. Looking around to make sure I was alone I mounted Shadowmere.

Now to find a place that's secluded, I thought to myself.

I pulled my hood and cowl up to hide my face as I began to travel down the road and away from the Priory.

-.-.-.-

I sat tucked away at a corner table of the Inn of Ill Omen, all the diaries splayed before me and the Amulet of Kings laid out to the side. I held a pint of ale in my hands as I tried to wrap my head around what I had just read.

My ancestors all knew a baby girl would be born and that she would be the gateway for Mehrunes Dagon to enter Tamriel from Oblivion. My mind buzzed as I sat there in deep thought with questions banging around my skull. If they knew then why did they allow the bloodline to continue? Septim or not, why?

I massaged my temples as I sighed while I began to pack away journals till I heard Shadowmere neigh anxiously. I hurriedly finished packing away the journals and threw the Amulet around my neck, my hand going straight to the Blade of Woe at my hip.

A cloaked dark elf came in as he went to the innkeeper and began to speak in a strange accent.

"Excuse me, has an Imperial woman come through here on a black horse?"

"Aye lad, she's over there," said the innkeeper as he pointed over to me.

The mysterious figure turned towards me and removed his hood.

"Brand Shei!"

The dark elf smiled from ear to ear as he scooped me up in a hug. Although I had framed Brand Shei, I busted him out of his cell in Riften and smuggled him across the border to Cyrodiil, giving him a new identity. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I hugged him back.

"It's good to see you as well Dragonborn," chuckled Brand Shei, as he hugged me tightly.

Pulling away I took in a familiar face. His hair was slicked back to reveal his clean face and new goatee. He wore a dark navy robe trimmed in gold, slit passed his belt to show black boots with gold buckles and black breeches.

"What have you done to turn out so well," I joked as I sat back down.

Brand Shei took a seat across from me with a huge smile on his face.

"Remember how I asked you to help trace back my bloodline?"

I nodded then said, "Yes. You were part of a huge royal family or something like that right?"

"Correct, but I found out something interesting. Once you smuggled me over here, I ventured into the Imperial City and began working for the Emperor as his personal merchant. After some time, I asked Titus if he could assist me in tracing my bloodline further."

I cocked my eyebrow, indicating for him to continue.

"Turns out that one of my distant ancestors was Chancellor Ocato, and after his death there was no successor. Apparently all of his kin vanished after his death due to another Chancellor wanting his seat."

"So, if I am following correctly this means you have reclaimed this seat on the Imperial Council?"

Brand Shei grinned as he pulled out an amulet stamped with the emblem of the Imperial Council. "After reclaiming the seat, I became the right hand man."

The Blade of Woe hummed happily against my hip in remembrance of the assassination of Titus Meade. Brand Shei looked at me with his brow furrowed while I placed my hand over the blade to quiet the humming. We made eye contact and Brand Shei made the connection.

"You're the assassin that put the Dark Brotherhood back on the map," murmured Brand Shei as he looked at me in shock.

"It comes with its benefits… good benefits," I replied with a smirk.

"I don't wanna know. Kind of a good thing you assassinated him, Titus was a good man but as a leader, he had no spine. But then again, I hate having to be in charge of everything," Brand Shei stated, as the innkeeper brought two fresh pints of ale.

"This is true," I replied, handing my empty glass to the innkeeper.

"We need royals like the Septims. They actually had backbones, plus it would take a load off of my shoulders," grumbled Brand Shei, as he took a gulp of his ale.

I watched the innkeeper closely walked away and once out of earshot, I pulled out the Amulet of Kings and laid it on the table.

"Tell me Brand Shei, what do you know about the Septim bloodline," I asked as I leaned back in my seat.

Brand Shei gently picked up the necklace as he examined it carefully.

"The Septims are direct descendents of Tiber Septim himself. They were killed off one by one due to the Mythic Dawn, a daedric group who worshipped Mehrunes Dagon. The leader of the Mythic Dawn, Mankar Camaron, needed the Amulet of Kings to enter Oblivion or "Paradise" as the Mythic Dawn called it. But once Uriel was assassinated the Mythic Dawn didn't immediately get the Amulet of Kings. A female prisoner was with him and the Blades, and Uriel entrusted the Amulet to this woman along with the location of Martin Septim."

I nodded my head as I stated, "You know the history well then as well as the history behind the Amulet of Kings."

"Aye, friend. It was also rumored that Martin and the female prisoner had a secret relationship behind closed doors."

"Does anyone know her name," I asked, my brow furrowed.

Brand Shei shook his head as he replied, "No one knows. After the Oblivion crisis was resolved and Martin Septim sacrificed himself, the woman and the remnants of the Amulet vanished. Her name stricken from history records."

I glanced over at the inn keeper who was leaned against the counter trying to appear as if he wasn't listening. Before Brand Shei could continue I got up and walked over to the innkeeper who jumped back in surprise.

"What all have you heard?"

The innkeeper backed away in fear as he quivered in fear stammering, "N-Nothing at all, lass. I-I would never eavesdrop on a soul!"

Gripping the handle of the Blade of Woe I pulled it out of the sheath and held the blade to his throat causing the blade to hum and glow red.

"Scout, let the man go," Brand Shei ordered grabbing the hilt of his dagger.

I grabbed the innkeeper's necklace and yanked it off then threw it to Brand Shei.

"Because he isn't just a humble innkeeper, are you friend," I hissed as I glaring at the spy.

The innkeeper dropped his act and glared back at me.

"How did you know he was a part of the Thalmor," Brand Shei asked, as he walked up to stand next to me.

"The way he walks and talks," I replied, as I looked at the innkeeper.

"But he's not a high elf."

Holding the man against the wall I flicked the blade to align my wrist as I drew in a breath.

"Wuld Nah Kest!"

I opened my eyes to find myself an inch away from the wall. I slowly turned around to see the innkeeper's throat slowly slit open. A white light enveloped him as the illusion dropped to reveal a young high elf. Brand Shei looked over at me in horror.

"My friend, I know you just found out that I am the one who killed Titus Meade and am the Listener of the Dark Brotherhood. I have many more secrets that you don't know of, but that is not important. The Thalmor are planning to overtake all of Tamriel and they are after me as well."

Brand Shei looked at me with his brows furrowed, "Why are the Thalmor after you?"

"I am the leader of the Blades, an ancient organization that has been a long time enemy of the Thalmor," I replied, wiping the blood off my blade.

"This is madness," Brand Shei grumbled as he rubbed his temples.

"But that's not all Brand Shei… I am a direct descendent of the Septims," I murmured quietly as I looked down at the floor.

I heard Brand Shei chuckling softly till it blew up into a hysterical, crazed laughter. I looked up to find Brand Shei looking at me still laughing.

"You must be joking, Scout… you're pulling my leg and all of this is some hoax," chuckled Brand Shei.

I walked up to him and grabbed his face, forcing him to look up at me. I stared into his eyes until finally he stopped laughing placing his hands over mine.

"By the Nine… you're not joking," he whispered hoarsely.

I grabbed the Amulet of Kings and clasped it on around my neck, as it rested on my collarbone. I grabbed the knapsack full of the journals that my ancestors left to me and walked outside of the inn with Brand Shei not far behind from me.

"I need your help to convince the rest of the Council that I am the rightful heir of Cyrodiil."

Brand Shei nodded as he puzzled his goatee in deep thought and asked, "Is there any documented proof?"

I smiled real big as I patted the knapsack, "All in here. Journals of my ancestors, hell even one of my mothers."

Brand Shei's eyes grew wide in disbelief until finally he chuckled, "All of this time I have been in the presence of a Septim and I never knew it… what do I need to do your highness?"

Chapter Three (cont.): Delphine's P.O.V

The abandoned shack in the recesses of Skyrim was filthy and smelled of stale blood and sweat with a hint of urine and feces. I kept my cowl tight over my face as I sat on one of the rickety barrels of wine, trying to suppress the stench from reaching my nose.

The Thalmor guards stood watch over me as the both stood by the door on opposite sides of each other. They both glared at me from underneath their visors and all I could do was just smirk underneath my cowl.

They hate the fact that I'm a Imperial enough to want to kill me but since Elenwyn values me so highly, the idiots can't touch me, I thought to myself.

Finally the tumblers in the door turned as Elenwyn entered, the side of her face stitched up and swollen from the battle that happened at the Blades courtyard.

"The dragonborn knows of your people's plans to try and conquer Tamriel," I stated as Elenwyn sat down across from me.

"Does she know of your treachery," Elenwyn asked as she looked me in the eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders carelessly as said, "As far as I am concerned, no she doesn't. She is extremely unhappy with your plans and right now she is in Cyrodiil attempting to recruit help."

Elenwyn chuckled as she grabbed her water sack and took a chug from it.

"How does she think she'll be able to get help? Just because she is the all mighty Dragonborn doesn't help the cause, the Thalmor run everything behind the scenes in Cyrodiil behind the "leadership" of the remnants of the Imperial Council. She steps foot inside and she'll be assassinated within days."

Elenwyn got up and ventured toward a window an stared out of it. I rolled my eyes as I sighed.

"She has friends all around, Elenwyn. I wouldn't underestimate her. Especially now that we have discovered she is a descendant of Martin Septim."

Elenwyn whipped around and shouted, "What?! That is impossible! How could the bloodline have survived if Martin, the last heir, died helping save Tamriel from Mehrunes Dagon?!"

"The Dragonborn came back injured from Sovengarde after defeating Alduin. While she was knocked out, the spirit of her ancestors came to her. They revealed the location of the shattered remains of the Amulet of Kings and records of the Septim bloodline being very much alive."

Elenwyn's face grew a deep red as she threw a fireball at one of the guards causing him to be engulfed in flames. The man quickly ran to a window and jumped through the glass, landing in a heap of snow. His agonizing moans followed the sound of snow melting as the other guard gulped nervously causing his adams apple to bob.

"Now my men are going to have to really keep an eye out for her," hissed Elenwyn as she ran her hands through her hair, pulling so hard that I thought she was about to tear her scalp off.

"You already have men on the look out for her," I questioned as my brow furrowed.

"Of course! I have to keep up appearances as if I'm out to kill you and that old fool that you care so much for. And now that stupid wench, especially since because of her my face is all screwed up to hell," Elenwyn growled, as she began pacing.

Soon a scout came in panting and out of breath, his cheeks flustered from the bitter cold Skyrim air.

"My lady… the Inn of Ill Omen in Cyrodiil has been burned down to the ground," panted the scout as he hunched over to catch his breath.

Elenwyn took a deep breath as she nodded at the scout who then quickly stood up and left the shack. Elenwyn looked at me her expression showing how severely pissed off she was.

"You may have to help me Delphine."

I snorted as I crossed my arms, "How do you want me to help now?"

"Kill the Dragonborn. She trusts you," Elenwyn stated as she walked back over to her seat and sat down.

"That woman hates me with the burning fury of a thousand suns," I scoffed as I stood up and took off my cowl. "She'll never let me close enough to her."

A soldier came in and bent down whispering in Elenwyn's ear before standing back up and leaving. Elenwyn quickly stood pulling her hood and cowl up.

"Elenwyn," I said, reaching out and grabbing the High Elf's arm.

The Altmer looked down over at me her eyebrows furrowed into a glare.

"It's not that simple... the Dragonborn has Skyrim allied with the dragons. One dragon in particular, Odahviing, is very close to her. This is the first time the two haven't been together for a long amount of time," I stated as I quickly let go of Elenwyn's arm.

Elenwyn reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose as she growled in frustration. Quickly before I could react she had drawn out her dagger and stabbed the other guard by the door leaving the new coming soldier shocked and taking steps back. She whipped back around to me and slammed me up against one of the shacks beams.

"You better find a way to kill the Dragonborn while her and the dragon are separated, or by the Eight I will skin you alive."

Elenwyn let me down and quickly turned around and walked out of the shack with the frightened soldier in tow. I heard the sound of horse hooves fade away as I rubbed my throat where Elenwyn had grabbed me.

Great, now I have to kill the Dragonborn. Leave it up to an Altmer to give the dirty work to someone else.

Chapter Three (cont.): Odahviing's P.O.V

I stood near the fire as I stared into it while deep in thought, my mind racing and turning over all possible outcomes of this war. News had traveled to Whiterun that the Dragonborn was spotted in Cyrodiil just outside the charred remnants of the Inn of Ill Omen. Although the news was comforting to me I had not received any letter from Scout... no orders, no news, nothing. I was left among men that I barely knew and trusted, preparing blindly for a fast approaching war.

I had been staying in human form to help communicate between the Jarls of Skyrim and the dragons for over a week at Dragonsreach in Whiterun along with Scouts other allies. The murderous crazed jester, one they call Cicero, soon wandered up to me and sat down at one of the chairs.

"The Listener should have surely sent some news," murmured the fool, as he pulled out his dagger and fiddled with the tip.

I nodded my head as I tried to swallow a lump in my throat and felt a hand clasp my shoulder. Looking over Cicero stood next to me his eyes distant.

"Cicero understands your blight, hm? The worry of a loved one is darker and deeper then the Void itself. Keep faith and pray to whomever you must, as my brethren pray to Sithis and our beloved Nightmother," whispered the joor, before he walked back over to the red guard and the immortal child.

I left the comforting heat of the fire as I wandered over to Esbern who looked up from his book at me and smiled softly.

"Never thought I would ever be working with a dragon," chuckled Esbern as he marked his book and closed it.

I sat across from him and folded my hands, gazing down at he wood grain of the table. I felt the old man eyes lay heavily on me as he frowned.

"Still no word from her?"

I shook my head as I swallowed the thick lump in my throat as I looked up at Esbern, "If she shouted for me in Cyrodiil, would I be able to hear her?"

Esbern shrugged slightly as he took in a deep breath, "There is no telling really. You could or you could not. Depending on how loud the shout is and how well your hearing is."

Nodding my head I heard the door creak as Delphine walked back in pulling down her mask. The middle aged woman had been gone for almost three days and three nights, where to was unknown to both me and Esbern. I didn't trust the woman. She was a disease and a pestilence. I focused my eyes on her as she smiled and patted a few of the Blades' back and walked on, pulling down her cowl and taking in a deep breath. I focused my eyes more around her neck as I saw purple bruises. I quickly got up and approached Delphine as she glared up at me.

"What do you want lizard," she seethed as she looked up at me.

I gently grabbed the woman's face as I tilted her head to the side to see a hand mark around her throat. Delphine slapped my hand away and pulled her robe tighter around her as she shoved past me.

"Get into a scuffle now did we?"

The Imperial stopped dead in her tracks as her body language stiffened while she turned around and stared me down. I glared back at her as I felt the fire's churn within my gut in hate and fire broiled inside me. Delphine clenched her fists as she walked up towards me immediately grabbing her katana.

"I have had it with you, lizard!"

She raised her sword and attempted to swing at me as I drew in a breath.

"Gol Hah Dov!"

Delphine quickly stopped as my Thu'um hit her. She grunted as she tried to fight against my shout while her katana clattered to the ground and she collapsed to her knees. I approached her as she clutched her breast in pain. I reached into her knapsack as she growled inaudibly and pulled out a sealed envelope bearing the seal of the Thalmor Embassy. My eyes narrowed over at Esbern.

"Did you know of this joor," I growled as anger quickly began to consume me.

Esbern rose slowly from the table as he came over to my side and snatched the envelope from my hands, his brow furrowed. He ripped open the letter as his eyes scanned quickly over the letter. Delphine soon began to rise to her feet as her face became white as a sheet.

"Esbern... I-I had no choice," she whispered hoarsely.

Esbern turned to Delphine his hands shaking, "You were the rat... the snitch. The one that revealed our whereabouts to the Thalmor."

Delphine slowly backed up to a wall as she clenched her jaw.

"Oh Dah Viing!"

I snapped my head over to the window as I smiled softly. Scout had called me. She was alive. I turned back to Delphine and glared.

"I think I know the perfect solution to this problem."