Dawnstar wasn't the best town to focus on a problem, and that made Aerelin find a better alternative. The beach head just down the way from the Sanctuary provided a quiet, secluded place to think; most of the citizens of Dawnstar kept to the town itself. Most days were bleary and wet, but on a rare day such as this one, the sun did it's best to cut through the fog and clouds. Eyes closed, Aerelin focused in on her most recent problem, sorting through her limited options in fixing it.

"Listener!" Cicero's voice wasn't as much of a surprise as it should be; he'd taken to looking in on her more often, concerned that she may be in danger at every pass. She knew she should tell him to calm down, but in truth it felt nice to have someone genuinely worried about her. Opening one eye, she glanced towards him as he took a seat next to her on the stones, shifting until he could find some semblance of comfort.

"Hello, Cicero." Her voice was calm and low, a tone she only ever was able to manage when she was completely calm. There was a few moments of silence as she shut her eye again.

"Is dear Aerelin meditating? Can Cicero join?" He had dropped the volume of his voice, though that manic tone still remained, and she was reminded of just what she had seen in his journals before the incident with Astrid.

"I'm simply thinking, Cicero, but you are welcome to join me if you wish." Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath, enjoying the smell of the sea air. Cicero looked out of the waves, though his hands drummed a steady beat on his thighs.

"Does the Listener care to talk with Cicero about her thoughts?" He sounded so eager, and truth be told, there was no reason to keep it from him. Wordlessly, she slid him the parchment that she had gotten, waiting for him to read it.

"Someone dares to claim sweet Lady Aerelin's title? To accuse and threaten?" Cicero sounded genuinely offended as he handed the note back. Nodding, she tucked the note back into one of her many pockets, dropping her gaze to the stones beneath her. "How can they claim such things?"

"I do not know, Cicero. But it doesn't sit well with me. The men who had this letter were travelers, from Solstheim." The land was technically in Morrowind, yet somehow still a part of Skyrim. Aerelin had been debating on going there to confront the imposter herself, but there was something in her gut that told her this was no mere crazy person. They had influence, which was scary enough. Deciding she would go prepared, Aerelin stood, determined to speak with Paarthurnax. Cicero stood as well, dusting his uniform off. "I need to speak with some people before I go to Solstheim."

"Then Cicero will join you." There was a conviction in his voice that told her she didn't have a choice in the matter. Giving him a look, she couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head.

"Fine, but only because I know you'll only follow me if I say no." They headed back towards the Sanctuary, and Aerelin told Cicero to go pack a bag for himself. While he ran off, she pullled Nazir and Babette aside, letting them know she planned to head to Solstheim for some official business and that she would be gone for awhile. Though they were clearly both curious as to what the official business was, they simply nodded and promised to keep the Sanctuary in one piece. When Nazir expressed concern for her safety, she shrugged and stated that Cicero would be accompanying her. Wordlessly, Babette handed off a bag of potions and poisons.

"Ready, Listener?" Cicero appeared then with both of their travel bags to her surprise, and she nodded. Bidding her brother and sister one last goodbye, she headed out with her jester, giving a high whistle for her horse as they stepped outside. It took some convincing to Cicero that sharing a horse would be faster, since Shadowmere was faster than any horse she'd seen in Skyrim yet, and soon they were off towards the Throat of the World. Cicero insisted on singing strange, demented songs, though she didn't once complain. They only had need to camp twice before they began their climb up the mountain itself, and soon enough they were reaching the very summit. Noting Cicero's shivers, she pulled her cloak off, wrapping it around him securely before continuing forward. The beat of wings was their only warning before Paarthurnax appeared above them, soaring around before landing on the ancient wall.

"Dovahkiin." He bowed his head to her, his gaze focusing on Cicero. Aerelin stepped forward with a smile.

"Drem yol lok, dii fahdon." She gave a bow of her own head, feeling her hair being pulled from her braid by the winds. "Zu'u bo yah hin aak."

"You bring a stranger to my mountain, Dovahkiin." There was a wary note to the dragon's tone, and Aerelin reached back blindly, feeling Cicero's gloved hand in her own.

"He is a dear and trusted friend, Paarthurnax. A friend to us both." Turning, she took note of the wonder in Cicero's eyes as he looked up at the dragon. Glancing between them both, she turned to the jester fully and caught his gaze, dropping voice. "Speak respectfully, Cicero, as you would me or the Night Mother. And be sure to bow, okay?" Waiting for his nod, she turned back to the dragon. "Paarthurnax, I would like to introduce Cicero, Keeper of the Dark Brotherhood."

"Drem yol lok, Keeper Cicero."

"And hello to you, Paarthurnax the Dragon." Cicero gave a bow of his head, much to Aerelin's relief, though a smile grew on his face. "Cicero has never met a dragon before, oh no! How very exciting!" Paarthurnax chuckled low in his throat as he bowed his own head, convincing Aerelin she could relax, before turning his gaze to her.

"So, what is it you require my help with, little dov? A new word, perhaps?"

"Not a word. A name." She dug through her pockets, pulling out the note as she strode closer to the dragon. "Miraak." It was clear Paarthurnax was bothered by the name, but he waited patiently as she read off what she knew.

"Miraak. Daar los tahrodiis." She frowned, tucking the note away and waiting for her ancient friend to continue. "He was Dovahkiin, as you are. The first of your kind." Her heart sank a bit. If these cultists truly believed in the return of Miraak as well as the dragons, then it was more dangerous than she had thought.

"Please, tell me everything. I must know if I'm to stop his return." Paarthurnax seemed to hesitate before nodding.

"Very well, little dov." He glanced towards Cicero again, and she turned to see her friend shivering. Taking a few of the dead branches she had stored away, she stepped to one side, building him a fire with her Thu'um. Pulling him over, she ignored both his shocked look and the seemingly amused one on Paarthurnax's face, waiting for the dragon to continue. "Miraak was one of the first of Alduin's Dragon Priests. A powerful ally to have on the side of the dragons against humanity. However, he sought more." Paarthurnax gave a shake of his shoulders, and she frowned. "He was tempted and enslaved by one of your Daedric Princes, the one called Hermaeus Mora. He rebelled against the dragons, and Alduin had him struck down. He is dead, and will stay that way."

"No, Paarthurnax. If Miraak was claimed by a Daedric Prince, then he did not go to Sovngarde." The dragon tilted his head to the side, a display of confusion and she shook her head. "I, too, serve the Daedra. They have their own forms of Afterlife in Oblivion. And as we both know, it is possible to cross back from the plains of Oblivion."

"Then you must travel to Solstheim, Dovahkiin, and prevent his return. Without the help of the dragons, I fear he will be a truly formidable foe. Pray that your Daedra will help you as his surely does." Aerelin nodded.

"Wise Paarthurnax, how can lowly Cicero help in this endeavor?" Though he didn't leave the comfort of the fire, his voice carried well, and both heads turned to him.

"If the Dovahkiin has chosen you among her loyal followers to know of her mission, then you need only support her as best you can, mun. She will need your support and care." Paarthurnax turned to her once again, a critical gleam in his eye. "Kos kein hi dreh ni meyz ol fin Sonaak drey." Nodding slowly, she turned to gather Cicero to take him back down the mountain. Once they were back on the horse, Aerelin realized Cicero was going to learn more about her than she had originally ever intended.

"So, are we going to Solstheim now, Listener?" With her cloak and the fire, his shiver had stopped, and as they mounted Shadowmere she was grateful.

"No, Cicero. First, we need to find some dragons."

A/N: Translations, in order.

"Greetings, my friend. I've come to seek your guidance."

"This is dangerous."

"Be wary you do not become as the Dragon Priest did."