The Heart of a Daedra revived
By The Grey Knight v2
Chapter 1 (15):
After three days of travelling, they finally reached Ivarstead, the small town at the foot of High Hrothgar. Sjern knew Tullius did not fully trust this idea but if it worked out, then Skyrim would at last be united. That's all Sjern wanted when it came to who ruled Skyrim, an outcome that would leave no divisions.
"Is everyone alright?" He called back to the group following behind him. Tullius and Rikke asked to stop briefly to rest, while Serana, Shadowfang, Infernus and the newest addition to Sjern's followers, Knight Zacharias Ascheric of Camlorn, all expressed wishes to forge on. Apologising to the Legion soldiers, Sjern adjusted the strap of his belt and continued on to the foot of the Seven Thousand Steps. As they climbed, the wolves that would usually have tried to tear Sjern's throat out seemed to back away due to the presence of such large numbers.
'Or maybe it is just Zacharias?' Sjern thought. The knight was not much of a talker but still he gave off a powerful aura, letting any who came near know that he would not take jesting lightly. Sjern knew from first hand experience just how strong the knight was and he barely engaged him in sword to sword combat, the knight seemed to prefer a defensive stance whilst fighting. One of patience and timing, where he would wait for the opponent to slip up then make them pay. As brief as there battle was, Sjern knew how powerful Zacharias had been and he didn't even break a sweat. Sjern wasn't even sure if he could break a sweat. Zacharias had been the first opponent Sjern had faced that made him truly doubt whether he was powerful enough. Sure Harkon and Sunclaw were devastatingly powerful but they had the blood of vampires in them. Knight Zacharias was powerful without mystic blood in his veins. The knight was a conundrum that Sjern had yet to figure out.
When they finally reached High Hrothgar, Sjern turned around to look at everyone. Serana was standing as she usually did, with her hood up and arms folded, Infernus was wringing his hands nervously, Shadowfang was gazing at the magnificent temple in awe, Zacharias was simply looking straight ahead and the two Legionnaires that they had escorted were trying to catch their breath.
"I'm sure there is no need to remind anyone that the Greybeards are four of the most powerful users of the Thu'um that I have ever come across. If any of you should do anything to displease them, you shall be Shouted into Oblivion. Now, in we go."
Turning once again, Sjern walked through the massive doors on the right hand side, Serana going in after him then everyone else following suit. Arngeir was there to greet them as soon as they got in the door.
"Welcome Dragonborn and friends of the Dragonborn. I am Master Arngeir, speaker for the Greybeards and Master of the Thu'um. I sincerely hope you are all here for the reason Jarl Stormcloak has told me, otherwise I may have to ask you all, with the exception of the Dragonborn of course, to leave."
Sjern shook his head and quickly explained that they were indeed there for peace talks. Arngeir seemed pleased with this and indicated for them to follow him. Doing so, Serana striding alongside him, Sjern entered a grand room with a large stone table with a burning fire in the centre of the room. Already seated at the table, were Ulfric Stormcloak and his trusted General Galmar Stonefist. Neither man did much else other than to greet Sjern and Serana, and give a curt nod towards all else who had entered. Sjern sat in the middle seat at the back of the room so as not to be mistaken for taking sides. Serana and Shadowfang sat on his left whilst Infernus and Knight Zacharias sat on his right. Arngeir took the seat opposite Sjern while Tullius and Rikke sat opposite Ulfric and Galmar. To Sjern's surprise, two more figures entered in after all had taken their seats. Lady Elsyif the Fair, Jarl of Solitude and widow to the late King Torryg, and Ralof, the Stormcloak who had helped Sjern escape from Helgen so long ago.
"Forgive me General but I realised that you cannot speak for Solitude alone. I sent my most trusted soldier to escort Lady Elsyif here with the instructions that any harm befall her would result in great pain for young Ralof here." Ulfric quickly explained.
Tullius merely nodded, stood and pulled out Elsyif's chair for her to sit beside him. Ralof took a seat beside Galmar, opposite Elsyif. Sjern looked at both parties, the Imperials and the Stormcloaks. Galmar was looking Tullius dead in the eye while Rikke eyed up Ralof. Elsyif merely folded her hands and was looking down at them slightly timidly. Ulfric was the only one to look to Sjern to speak first. Clearing his throat, Sjern stood up.
"Very well," he began "I won't bother with introductions really, most people in here know who the others are. What we are here for today, is to come up with something, anything, which will stop this pointless, bloody Civil War."
At his words, Tullius opened his mouth to speak but Sjern barrelled on.
"Lady Elsyif, I realise you loved Torryg and you miss him dearly, as does Tullius. Ulfric, what you did may have been Nordic tradition but that does not shelter the fact that you brought the Civil War upon these lands. However, during my time in Sovngarde, I met various Nord Heroes. One of them being Torryg himself." Elsyif gasped while Tullius and Ulfric's eyes widened. "Aye, it is true. His words to me were brief but not a day goes by, even in Sovngarde, that he does not miss you Elsyif. Nor does he despise you Ulfric, however, he does question whether your honour is truly intact now. His words, I will not lie, were not useful in deciding how to end this war, but I hope they give a grieving wife comfort and a proud Nord food for thought."
Pausing to allow everyone time to soak in all he had said so far, Sjern quickly continued speaking once he saw Galmar about to make a statement.
"What I propose today is this. The Imperials and the Stormcloaks will disband completely. Both armies will sheathe their weapons, remove their armour and discard it." Once again, Sjern continued speaking once Tullius tried to speak. "There will be no negotiating who gets what Holds, nor will there be any squabbling over the cause of Torryg's death. Both sides show no difference in opinion other than who should be High King or Queen of Skyrim. Neither Elsyif or Ulfric shall be High King or High Queen. There are only two others whom I believe can benefit Skyrim. One is in hiding while the other lives in this great temple."
Sjern looked directly at Arngeir who immediately shook his head.
"I am honoured you would consider me Dovahkiin, but I am old and tired. As mighty as my Thu'um is, I have never wished to rule even over a mouse."
Sjern nodded, expecting this.
"Then I shall send a messenger to Shadowgreen Cavern. That, I feel, is where our new leader resides and has done for the past 200 or so years. He is a brave warrior, a mighty mage, a master tactician and a true hero. Ralof, would you and Rikke be so kind as to deliver a simple message to the one you find in Shadowgreen?"
The young Stormcloak nodded. Sjern thanked him, then looked expectedly over at Rikke, who sighed heavily before also agreeing to go.
"Very good." Sjern said, taking a roll of parchment and a quill from the table and scribbling a short message as well as directions to Shadowgreen down. Rolling the parchment back up, he handed it to Ralof, who tucked it into his belt before standing up and, Rikke following closely behind, set off towards Shadowgreen. With the two gone, Sjern turned his attention back to Tullius and Ulfric, both of which were staring intently at Sjern.
"Is something wrong?" Sjern asked them.
Tullius finally had his chance to speak.
"Of course there is! You are asking us to throw an age of warring away without so much as an argument. By all accounts there can be no other High King or Queen other than a Jarl of Skyrim! Now you expect to break that tradition for some old fool you believe to be mighty? How do we know we can trust this man Dragonborn? Answer me that!"
Sjern smirked and shook his head.
"Because it is not just some old fool who I speak of General Tullius. The one I refer to is none other than the Champion of Cyrodil himself. The Hero of Kvatch and Bane of Mehrunes Dagon, Jar'mey. True, he is not a Nord nor is he a Jarl but he is a true Hero of Tamriel, blessed with the gift of immortality for his deeds. He is in Skyrim now, to help defend us from a prophesised attack on our land. I can think of no one better to lead us in a time of impending war with the Daedra then the one who all Daedra fear."
Spreading his arms, Sjern raised his voice slightly.
"Have ye not heard of his mighty defeat of Mankar Camoran, of his refusal to abandon the last in the line of the Septims, of his gathering of the Crusader's Relics, his defeat of Umaril the Unfeathered, his entrance to and conquest of the Shivering Isles and of his mighty blade, Warmonger, that cut down over a thousand Daedra in its time? So you ask me can you trust him Tullius? No, you cannot. Nor can you trust me for that matter. But you have believed in me so far General, if I am deserving of your belief then he is ten times more deserving of it."
Sjern's speech seemed to win Tullius over as the Imperial General merely nodded his head and leaned back in his seat. Ulfric, who had said nothing up to this point, said only one thing.
"You trust this warrior Dragonborn, which is good enough for me. He is a Hero of old songs and tales and should he be willing to take on the role of High King, then I shall follow him. I ask only one thing in return for my loyalty." Ulfric paused and clapped Galmar on the back. "That myself and Galmar, along with any others you or he see fit, be allowed to keep our current titles and help lead Skyrim's great army against the Daedra threat that Talos himself spoke to me of."
Sjern nodded, seeing no reason why this should be a problem. Looking at Tullius, he waited for an answer. Tullius simply stood up, walked around the large table and grasped Ulfric's hand.
"Both myself and Lady Elsyif agree to these terms on three minor conditions of our own. First, that Lady Elsyif remain Jarl of Solitude, second that I, alongside Jarl Ulfric and Galmar, help lead our army and third" He paused at this, as if weighing up whether or not to request it. "That the High King find some way, any way at all, to rid Skyrim of the Thalmor. For too long have we lived in fear of those meddling bastards! It's time Skyrim was set free of that particular shadow!"
Sjern grinned slyly.
"No need for the High King to do that, General Tullius. Myself and my friends will take care of the Thalmor. While they may be great in numbers, even they aren't foolish enough to march against a province that has just gained unity as well as the backing of the Champion of Cyrodil and the Dragonborn. You simply leave that part to me."
Well, it has been such a long time guys! I'm so sorry that I've been…. Well, dead pretty much. I hope at least one of my old readers is out there just for old time's sake but if not welcome new readers! If you haven't already, I suggest you check out the first fourteen chapters of this fanfic under my original name, The Grey Knight, simply so you fully understand the whole story. Hope you guys enjoyed and if you did, a simple review saying nice or not bad helps me immensely. Thanks again guys. Talos guide you all! Peace