Interlude: Harkon's Madness

Harkon paused, hand on the door. The point of no return. That it had come to this, the lord of the castle venturing out on the hunt himself… The lives of his court were forfeit. If he came across any of them, he'd kill them. If? No. He would not leave it to chance. They were too incompetent to survive. Once he stepped outside that door, he'd hunt them all down after he retrieved his daughter and her pet. Even Garan, he hadn't brought enough cattle to withstand Harkon's appetite. Most pathetic mortals only sustained him for a single feed.

When he found Serana, he would make sure her Dragonborn pet could not Shout, after hearing of Orthjolf's fate from the sole survivor of that hunting party. Evidently she could breathe fire. It should be relatively simple to silence her, although it would mean a departure from any attempt at civility. Gloating would also have to wait until she was suitably restrained.

The door swung open, almost hitting him. Harkon took one dignified step back. So one of his court returned at last. Yet there was no mortal heartbeat in tow, and no scent of his daughter.

"My lord, I apologise most profusely," Vingalmo simpered, bowing low.

"You dare return without…" Harkon trailed off as Vingalmo straightened up, the candlelight catching not one but three Elder Scrolls cradled in his arms.

"I regret that I failed to capture your daughter and her pet. My hunters were no match for her and her Dragonborn whore, but the sole survivor had the foresight to avoid battle and steal away with your Scrolls."

Turning the first Thalmor diplomat to trespass in his castle was the best decision Harkon had ever made.

"I will spare your life, Vingalmo, for you have done me a great service despite your failure." Harkon strode forward to take one of the Scrolls, his hands drawn to one buried beneath another. Vingalmo had to scrabble to avoid dropping the remaining pair in his hands.

"My lord?"

"So, my daughter found my traitor wife, or at least her Scroll, and the last. Most impressive. A pity she chose the wrong side, a crime for which she will pay the ultimate price."

"Yes, my lord."

Harkon frowned. He had to know what these Scrolls would reveal, but he had no Moth Priest. Dare he risk his sight? His sanity? He set his jaw. 'I must know!' The time for waiting was over, after years uncounted.

"My lord?"

He ignored Vingalmo and raised the Scroll in his hands, unfurling it.

"My lord!"

Blinding light streamed from the ancient parchment. The drawling, haughty voice of an elf - not Vingalmo - rang in his ears, bringing with it the key to the prophecy.

"My lord?"

Sight gradually returned, his stinging eyes soothed by tears. How touching, Vingalmo actually looked worried.

Harkon smiled. "Vingalmo, send word that the hunt is over. Assemble my court."

Vingalmo stared. "Over? But what of Serana, my lord? And her pet?"

"She will come to me. Likely with her pet." Harkon hoped Serana would bring the Dragonborn, he wanted to taste dragon blood before he put them both out of their misery.

Vingalmo blinked. "…Are you all right, my lord?"

"I have never been better. The time of the prophecy is at hand. Let Serana retrieve Auriel's Bow. Let her come to use it against me. I will be lying in wait, ready to spring my trap."

'Yes, come to me, my daughter.' She would bring all that he needed. Did she know the full prophecy? Did Valerica? Was this why his wife betrayed him, taking both Scrolls and his daughter from him? Clever bitch. She had come so close to making him fail. But all for nothing. She was the one to fail. He only regretted that he could not tear his wife's head from her body, as he had from her painted form. The Bow would not be bathed in Valerica's blood, but he would have his vengeance on her all the same by sacrificing her daughter instead.

A pity. His preference would be his traitorous wife, of course, but unfortunately he still could not feel her presence. Valerica was not an option. It would have to be Serana. His once beloved daughter. At least her treachery of siding with mortals made it easier. But even if she had stayed loyal, he would have sacrificed her to end the Tyranny of the Sun. For the good of all vampires. For the glory of Molag Bal.

For the blood of Coldharbour's Daughter would blind the Eye of the Dragon.

'Serana, my darling, there will be a day of reckoning. Soon. Find Auriel's Bow and bring it to me. You will think to make it the end of me, but it will be your undoing.'

Perhaps after he corrupted Auriel's Bow he could use it against the World-Eater. Harkon could not claim to understand how Auriel and Akatosh were two sides of the same Divine, but he felt certain that even the greatest son of Akatosh would not withstand the weapon fated to blot out Auriel's influence on Nirn. That being the case, the Dragonborn and her prophecy were obsolete. Harkon would rewrite the fate of the world into a paradise for vampires. Eternal darkness would fall. The time for mortals and dragons alike was over. Vampires would rule Tamriel, with Harkon as their overlord. All he had to do was bide his time.

Soon. He would have the Bow, corrupt it with Serana's blood, and celebrate by draining her pet dry. Even after all these years apart Harkon could almost hear Valerica berating him: particularly tasty cattle were to be savoured, kept alive for repeated feedings. His estranged wife had a point, but a true vampire lived to devour his prey. Harkon loved to feel the last desperate heartbeats flood his mouth, to taste the bitter despair as death took them. To have the Dragonborn of legend die on his fangs would be delicious.

AN: Thanks to Gaunty for alpha reading.