Next chapter :D trying to tie up loose ends and hinting at the future is such good fun...Oh, and to answer the fifteen Pm's asking me about when the big battle is coming, it will be in the next few chapters :D

Morgan glanced around at the thieves that were all around them. She recognised most of them. Vex was there, her eyes narrowing when Morgan didn't bother to look away from her piercing gaze. Tonila was there as well, giving Morgan a firm nod when they met eye contact.

And of course, there was Delvin Mallory. He grinned at her and Morgan smirked back at him.

He knows who I truly am.

Morgan was relieved when the burly figure of Brynjolf arrived. He smiled as he walked over and gave her a gentle embrace.

"Good to see you again, lass," he said, shaking Serana's hand and giving Brelyna his most charming smile. "And who is this delightful creature?"

"Careful," Morgan warned. "She bites."

Brelyna giggled.

"She's not the only one. Thanks for coming by on short notice."

Morgan nodded.

"No problem. So what did you want to show me?"

That was when detected a slight movement to her right. As fast as a striking serpent, her blade was out and was pointing directly at the shimmering figure. She ignored the yells of the Thieves Guild members and allowed her thu'um to grow, a soft blue gaze appearing within her mouth.

"At ease," came a smooth voice from the hidden figure.

The thieves sheathed their blades but Morgan kept hers pointed at this person, her instincts were telling her to not drop her guard.

"Smart. I mean you no harm."

"Then show yourself and we can talk," Morgan replied.

The shimmering enchantment ceased and Morgan could see that the person was a dunmer female, who wore a small smile on her face. Morgan only lowered her blade when Serana placed her hand on her wrist.

"A nightingale," Serana remarked. "It's been some time since I last saw one."

"We could say the same about having an ancient vampire in our midst," the woman said smoothly.

Serana smiled, keeping her hand on Morgan's wrist.

"You can let go of her now," Vex piped up with a chuckle.

"It's for your safety," Serana smirked.

"It's okay lass, we aren't enemies," Brynjolf said.

Morgan frowned and sheathed her blade, ignoring the collective sighs of relief that echoed around her.

"Who are you?"

"Karliah. And I know who you are. I would wager all of Skyrim knows about you. The Dragonborn. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Morgan nodded but she could sense that this woman was hiding something.

"Where's that bastard Mercer? I hope he doesn't know I am here," Morgan said, glancing at the entrance where she knew the main centre of the Guild was situated.

"He's dead," Karliah all but snarled.

Morgan shrugged.

"Fair enough."

"You are a cocky assassin," Karliah said, tilting her head thoughtfully at Morgan and Serana before meeting Brelynas gaze. "And I don't know who you are…"

"Just another cocky assassin," Brelyna said, earning identical grins from Serana and Morgan.

Karliah nodded and suddenly drew a dagger from her belt.

Morgan was faster however.

"FUS!"

The dagger fell to the floor and Morgan growled.

"Never threaten her again unless you wish to see the Void."

There was a moment of silence before Karliah chuckled.

"She was right about you. You do care about others after all. And here I was, thinking you were just another assassin."

"You have no idea. So what did you bring us down here for, Brynjolf? I have contracts to perform and a civil war to end."

"Was Grelod a contract?" Karliah asked.

Morgan grinned.

"She was for free although there were many who wanted her dead."

"Cold for even an assassin, darlin," Delvin piped up.

"It's my job. And you still haven't said what you want."

"Delvin told me about the arrangement between our organisations. I wish to continue this."

Morgan nodded.

"I see no reason to change anything," she said softly.

Karliah nodded but Morgan could see that she was still sizing her up, as if unsure of her motivations. She crossed her arms and glared at the dunmer.

"You don't have to like me, and at this point I really couldn't care less what your plans for the Thieve's Guild. I have my own responsibilities."

Morgan ignored the snorts of derision echoing around her from many of the Guild members.

"Brynjolf, is there anything else?" Morgan asked.

"That's it."

Morgan nodded and without another word, started towards the exit, not even sparing the Guild members a single glance. She had nothing against them, but she was irked at how so many of them were dismissive of her. Mercer's death didn't bother her either, she knew he was due his death at some stage.

It was Karliah that bothered her most. It was as though she saw her as an enemy.

. Nocturnal's Champion. She is not to be underestimated my dear child.

Morgan closed her eyes for a brief moment as the Night Mother spoke to her.

"Should I honour the agreement?" Morgan asked.

For now, yes. You have a Civil War to finish and a daughter to raise. Your work has only just begun….

Morgan smiled and opened her eyes.

Better get started. Time to pick up my daughter.

Runa glanced at the other children and wished she could run away in the night. Their insufferable jokes and constant jests at her expense was getting to her. She wished she had kept her mouth closed. While she hadn't told them everything, Runa had said that Grelod had been targeted by assassins….people didn't get their throats cut at night without some goal.

Constance seemed better at least. She was the only one who Runa liked in the orphanage. Runa heard the door open and she looked over at the entrance, smiling when Morgan appeared.

Is she here for me? She knew it was me watching, just like I knew it was her dressed in black as she headed to Grelod's room.

"Morgan! I am so sorry about what you had to witness! I swear, if I could have stopped…"

"Relax," Morgan smiled, placing a comforting hand on Constance' shoulder. "I know that Grelod had a binding contract on you. You couldn't do anything while she was in charge."

Constance nodded and managed a watery smile.

"I still feel bad about her though. I don't recall how the assassin got inside, let alone how I never heard anything."

"You weren't the target by the looks of it. This assassin was only after Grelod. I am pleased you and the children were unharmed."

"As am I. Now then, what can I do for you?"

Morgan smiled.

"I have been planning ahead. Being what I am, I don't believe I could ever have children. I also don't plan on adventuring for much longer. Serana and I actually plan on settling down…as much as we are able, at any rate," Morgan explained.

"You were planning on adoption? That's…excellent. I am happy that even the heroine of Skyrim is seeking some quiet life for herself."

Morgan chuckled.

"As quiet as my life could be with any luck. Can I see them?"

Constance nodded and Morgan followed her into the main room, smiling at the six children that were staring at her. She met eye contact with the girl that had been watching her the previous night and winked at her before giving the children her full attention.

Morgan didn't bother talking to them. Four of them were shrinking away from her and Morgan dismissed them from her mind. She didn't want a child that feared her. The remaining two children were watching Morgan quietly. One boy, one girl. Morgan crouched down and met eye contact with the boy.

"Who are you?" Morgan asked.

"I'm Gundar! I will be the best warrior in Skyrim!"

Morgan smirked.

"I'm sure you will be."

"I will be! I will join the loyal Stormcloaks and Skyrim will be free again!"

Morgan fought the blood calling to her and managed another smile before moving over to the girl she had already chosen.

"And how about you?"

"Runa. Nice to meet you."

Morgan shook the offered hand. And smiled wider.

"What would you like to be when you grow up?"

"Someone who helps people in trouble. Maybe a Companion…."

Smart girl to know how to hide secrets. She knows it was me yet she acts like we never met.

"I happen to know a few Companions. I think you could do well in that group of warriors," Morgan said with a smile.

"It would be great to live in Whiterun," Runa continued.

Morgan grinned. She liked how this girl was so direct and honest.

"Or just nearby," Morgan winked at her before standing up and placing a gentle hand on Runa's shoulder. "I think I will adopt this young lady," she finished.

"Wonderful! I am certain that Runa would do well in your company."

You have no idea Morgan thought with a wry grin.

"As soon as the paperwork is filled," Constance chuckled.

Morgan rolled her eyes theatrically and winked at Runa again.

"The horror."

Runa grinned.

Morgan followed Constance into the outer room and couldn't help but laugh as her keen hearing picked up the ensuing conversation between the children nearby.

Runa grinned as the others crowded around her, all of them asking questions. After so many years of doing the chores while they sat around doing nothing, this felt like she was being rewarded.

Of course, Gundar was not impressed.

"Why did she choose you?! You are just a weak girl and always runs away to an adult when you are upset!"

Runa rolled her eyes.

"She chose me because I am useful and I don't scream when a baby frostbite spider walks across the floor."

Gunnar frowned as Runa gave him a smug grin.

"And she knows that I don't need to be coddled. She's THE Dragonborn. You know? She must spend so much time running around Skyrim, fighting dragons and killing the traitors of the Empire."

Gunnar roared and threw himself at the smaller girl…. And was held aloft in midair a mere inch before he reached his intended target. Every set of eyes turned to see Morgan standing there with her hand glowing with a red hue, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"While it is good that you believe in something, I don't agree with anyone trying to harm my daughter."

Morgan gently lowered the boy to the ground and smiled at Runa.

"Pack what you need my dear. We need to get moving by the morning."

Runa nodded and she ran over to Constance the moment Morgan left the orphanage. She hugged the woman who had cared for her for so many years and sighed happily as Constance chuckled and escorted her to her bed to help her pack.

Thank you, Mother.

Runa wasn't sure what her dream had been about, but she knew that her new mother had something to do with her. But Runa had a trait that she was most proud of. Patience. She would wait and see what her mother said to her when the time was right.

Morgan crossed her arms and glared at the woman who was waiting within the keep. Serana and Brelyna stayed behind her, knowing that the Countess had invited Morgan for a conversation. But none of them had expected Maven Black-Briar to be included in the group.

"I was invited," Maven said smoothly, taking a sip of wine before smirking. "I don't believe your companions were invited, however."

"They stay with me. If they leave, I will," Morgan replied.

"It's fine," Countess Selene said as she entered the room, motioning for her husband to stay quiet as they sat down.

"What did you want to talk about? Sulandril's death? The bitch deserved it," Morgan stated bluntly as she poured the wine for Brelyna and Serana.

"You know the Thalmor will retaliate," Maven snorted. "Even you cannot be that dense."

"Elenwen underestimated Elisif and especially myself and she got a blade in her gut as a reward. Sulandril counted on my meekness as a child and tried to play on my fears. I guess she never knew what facing a demigod does for you," Morgan shrugged.

"They have lost too much personnel in Skyrim," Serana explained, cutting off Maven's heated response. "They will regroup but they will not take any direct action."

"Tell them I killed her if they ask," Morgan said. "It keeps you off the hook for the time being."

"You truly are an idiot," Maven blurted out. "Give it six months and they will bring their armies here in force. The armies that decimated the Empire's finest."

"Right until the moment they see a hundred dragons blotting out the sun."

Morgan grinned wickedly.

"What? You think I sat on my arse after defeating Alduin? I roamed Skyrim and offered allegiance to any of the dovah that wished to serve me. Odahviing remains the highest ranking dragon in Skyrim and many listen to him. Why do you think that the dragon attacks stopped? If I call all of them…..they will come."

There was a moment of silence that was broken when Serana burst out laughing.

"You clever little dragon," she chuckled. "I had no idea."

"Jarl Balfruuf knew. So did Elisif. If I hadn't been wasting my life with that lying prick, Skyrim would have full co-operation from the dragons by now."

Morgan smiled and squeezed Serana's hand in gratitude.

"I sense you have had a hard time since you came here," Selene said softly.

"It's been difficult. But I like it here…despite the dragons, draught, bandits and all the charming weather," Morgan replied, her eyes fixed on Maven the entire time.

Maven chuckled.

"You never lacked for confidence."

"Seriously? I was a nervous wreck ever since I crossed the border. Worrying about the Thalmor was the start. Then Alduin turned up and I got dragged into a prophecy thousands of years in the making. Add to the dragons and what was known as the vampire menace almost broke me…."

Morgan sighed.

"But Serana has taught me so much since we met…ever since she accidentally turned me, I figured out that I could actually do something useful. Vampire or otherwise."

"How sweet and noble. But you forget that you are a killer, through and through."

Morgan grinned wickedly as Maven shivered when a cold wind blew through the hall.

"I was taught to fight as a child. And it has been useful in solving all these problems that Skyrim seems to have."

"You don't deny it."

Morgan glanced at Selene's husband.

"If there is one thing I hate more in a person is being corrupt, it is someone who lies to themselves. People who are as rotten as a month old potato who give off the impression that they are as sweet as a freshly picked apple. I hate people who lie to get what they want. Yes, I kill. And I am fucking good at it."

Maven smiled politely.

"You are still a girl, just one who hasn't worked out if they are dead or not."

"How about I shove this blade up your arse and see if you are as rotten as Skyrim believes you are?" Morgan retorted.

Serana laughed.

"We better not…"

"At least she knows her betters," Maven grinned.

"I hadn't finished," Serana smirked. "I was about to say: 'we better not because Riften doesn't have a large graveyard to meet with Morgan's anger."

Morgan snickered.

"And you clearly didn't notice or care about her ability to use the thu'um so well."

Morgan whispered at the goblet held within Maven's hand and smiled as the small metal object was crushed into a ball of twisted metal in a single second. Selene gasped as she stared at Morgan, who smiled wider.

"I have learnt so much and I have only scratched the surface. And as one special person always tells me: knowledge is power. And once the rebellion is finished and Ulfric is dead, exiled or turned into a fucking blood bag, Serana and I will try and have a quiet life and let Skyrim sort itself out for a change."

"You think it will be that simple?"

Morgan glared at Selene's husband.

"As simple as crushing that goblet," Morgan promised, standing up and taking Serana's hand. "In spite of everything that has happened between us, it is good to see you again, Selene."

Selene nodded.

"I will take my army and leave before the Thalmor knows about my true intentions. Maybe when this is all over we could become friends again?..."

Morgan smiled.

"Stranger things have happened. It isn't often that the Countess and a street urchin becomes the best of friends. Be careful, Selene. The Thalmor are ruthless. If it means telling them that I am a complete whore and our friendship was fake, tell them so."

Every occupant in the entire keep shivered as that cold wind blew through the whole building.

"Because it makes it easier for me to tear them apart in the long run. They will get older. I won't. And I will never forget what they did to me and the other children. Never."

Morgan walked out of the room without a second glance with Serana right beside her. Selene chuckled as she stood up, her eyes fixed on the hunk of metal still held in Maven's hand.

"She hasn't changed one bit. It was a pleasure to meet you, Maven. Should you ever wish to visit, you would be welcome….especially if you piss her off too much. Come, husband. We have much to do. And if either of you mention anything about what truly happened to Sulandril, I will kill you myself."

Maven scoffed but went silent as an ebony dagger appeared a scant distance from her right eyeball.

"Morgan wasn't the only one who knows how to kill."

Selene leant down and whispered into Maven's ear.

"She taught me a few tricks before I became weak and married for the power. You may be powerful and dangerous Maven, and I applaud you for your ability to get what you want. But Morgan is much more than a mere killer. It is her name that will strike fear into the Thalmor and will set us all free."

Maven smirked.

"You fell for her bluster too? A shame."

Selene grinned.

"It seems you never learn. Goodbye, old hag. I am sure that once the Stormcloaks are dealt with, you will need a new place to hide. After all, imagine what would happen if Morgan ever found out that it was you who met Marcus first and suggested that he travel to Windhelm to meet Ulfric?"

Selene chuckled as she sheathed her dagger, the look of terror finally appearing on Maven's face.

"Morgan is walking death. I am the one that sees all and sells all….for the right price."

"You utter…BITCH."

Selene smiled and left the room with her now pale husband close behind, leaving Maven alone in the room with her hand clenching the crushed metal goblet, drops of blood spattering onto the wooden floor as she stared at the now closed doors, expecting the Dragonborn to walk back in at any moment.

Then she snarled.

No-one got the better of her.

Maven smiled suddenly.

Why did I not think of it before?

The Dark Brotherhood. Astrid was in charge as far as she knew. One simple message and two pests were out of her hair. She chuckled as she left the room.

Yes. One raven and two targets. I doubt Astrid will turn down ten thousand septims, the blonde bitch loves her money.

Morgan giggled profusely as Lucien relayed his message. Serana giggled as well.

"Wait. She is going to ask Astrid to kill me? Lucien, I didn't know jokes were one of your specialties. Daggers, illusion magic and the ability to charm anyone with a sentence I can understand. But this?"

Morgan sniggered again.

Lucien smirked.

"I have many talents, Listener."

Morgan grinned and nodded in thanks.

"Remind me when the war is done. 'Pay a visit to Riften's pus-filled bitch'," Morgan laughed as Lucien vanished from view.

Serana rolled her eyes and nodded to the gates where two guards were escorting a beaming Runa towards them.

"Are you ready?" Morgan asked.

"Yes Mama!" Runa replied.

I will never get used to being called that.

Morgan smiled and picked Runa up and placed her on Shadowmere. Brelyna sat behind her and smiled at the young girl, who grinned back at her.

"What about you? Where are you….WOW!"

Morgan laughed as Odahviing landed. She leapt onto the dragon with Serana right behind her.

"When you are old enough and when he stops grumbling about carrying people," Morgan said in answer to Runa's unspoken question.

Brelyna smiled.

"Shadowmere is faster."

Odahviing snorted.

Runa giggled.

"Last one there is an ugly horker!"

Shadowmere accelerated in an instant, leaving the dragon and the two vampires alone.

"Five minutes then show them what speed truly is, mighty Hunter," Morgan instructed.

Odahviing roared into the sky before taking off a few minutes later, his thu'um being heard across all of Skyrim. The dragons loyal to their thuri bellowed in response and waited for the summons. Jarl Elisif glanced at the clear skies and smiled before looking over at Rikke, who gave her a small nod. Ulfric Stormcloak glared at the sky as he watched his army fortify the town and the outlying area just outside.

And high up, on the peak of the Throat of the World, Paarthurnax dipped his head slightly as his mind comprehended the meaning of Odahviing's thu'um became clear.

She who leads us to victory.

Paarthurnax sighed and waited for the Dragonborn to end one of her many cycles, for another would start soon after. He had told her many times that her name was only just being recorded in the sands of time. He prayed that her wrath would not consume her to the point where she would be remembered for something far different to what the mortals thought of her at the present.