Fate's Games

(A/N: Second up today.)

Waking Nightmare

"He's deceiving you," the voice said, echoing through her mind like a dream. She shivered feeling weak, feeling helpless, feeling hypnotized by the voice speaking to her. "When the ritual is complete, the skull will be free, and then Erandur will turn on you." Her eyes slowly opened, tears shining in them. She watched the man chant the spell. She watched the aura surround him. "Quickly. Kill him now. Kill him and claim the skull for your own. Vaermina commands you."

She slowly drew her sword hardly aware of what she was doing. The blade shone. He was unaware, blinded. He was in mourning, he was suffering, he was desperate and afraid and overwhelmed by unbearable guilt that would never leave his heart or mind. He was vulnerable and hers for the taking. One strike would end his life. One strike and he would never know what happened. His pain would end, and his suffering… But surely if he had wanted to die he would have done away with himself already… The daedra's voice echoed in her mind over and over and over…

ES

"What troubles you my daughter?" he questioned as she approached him. She had summed him silently up. A dark elf, she saw. A dark elf who was a priest of Mara? It was strange, she had to admit. He wasn't an old man, not in any way, but he was older than her by quite some years. She had asked about the town's plight and he had explained everything, had said something about dreams. He had shared his plan with her, for he was desperate; and she had followed without question, though there was doubt in the back of her mind. Erandur was hiding something, she knew. He was hiding something so big…

He'd spoken of danger as they neared the temple. She'd had no clue. Not until she was faced with ancient faces awakening from slumber. Perhaps not so ancient. How could she know? He wouldn't talk to her, he wouldn't tell her anything other than the necessity, and she didn't trust him; but at the same time she felt he was the only one she could trust. He spoke with such pain and sadness and regret, head filled with memories she hadn't known existed until it was too late to turn back. Guilt, misery, so many emotions she could hardly read them all. And she was drawn to him. So, so drawn…

His promises to her rang in her ears as he told her about the torpor, as he hid nothing from her, speaking of its dangers. "I swear to you by Lady Mara that I will do everything in my power to keep any harm from befalling you." Even now the words made her shiver. "I will watch over you as you slumber, to ensure your safety." Why did she believe him? Why did she trust him? He'd hardly looked from the book, but when he met her eyes she had seen something in them. Protection, concern, worry. In that moment she knew. Erandur, wouldn't let anything happen to her. He would die first. And he had nearly done so, many times along that perilous journey.

ES

She had intrigued him. He had known that trust could not be given lightly, but she intrigued him. He would not tell her everything, not yet, but in time. He could only hope she forgave him. From the moment they entered the temple he grew increasingly protective of the young woman before him. She was Dawnstar's only hope. She was his only hope. Before he knew it he was making promises to her that he had never uttered to another before. He vowed to protect her with his life, swore to keep any harm from her.

He had never felt more terrified than the moment she disappeared after drinking the torpor. He scoured that temple for her, for any sign of her, anything at all. Mara, please, let her still live. Let him find her or let him be taken in her place. Vaermina, release her from your spell. Cowardly Daedra, answer me! He had found her almost at the start. It had taken all of his will power not to embrace her. It would be wrong. Then she breathed his name, Cassimir… Cassimir… he had forgotten what it was to hear that name. She showed no prejudice, no judgement, and he could have broken down in front of her there and then, fallen to his knees and wept for a life that was long over. He didn't, though, he didn't.

They saw the two who had survived and his stomach had dropped. What had happened to them? No… what had happened to him? They attacked and he defended with the only excuse that came to mind, a stupid one. "I wasn't ready to sleep." He could have cut his own throat with those words. Oh gods, what had happened to him? She watched silently. They had fought the two priests. They had killed his best friends. He couldn't hold back anymore, and tears fell silently from his eyes.

ES

She listened to his words, heart sinking. He spoke with bravery, voice unwavering; yet his eyes… in his eyes shone tears, so out of place against the black skin. "Is this punishment for my past? Is it Mara's will to torment me so?" he muttered to her softly.

She placed her hand upon his shoulder and he shivered. He couldn't bear to look at her, but he didn't have to. She moved in front of him and made him gaze into her eyes. Softly she breathed, "We had no choice."

He gazed upon her, letting the tears silently fall. Closing his eyes tightly he took covered her hand. "Yes, you're right," he replied.

ES

She watched him mutter the spell in an undertone, unheard by her ears. Would he turn on her? Had she been deceived by him like so often before? He heard her draw the sword and he knew… He knew what she had been told. He didn't stop. He wouldn't. He couldn't. Let her do with him what she would, but he would die trying to redeem his errors.

She watched, the words echoing still, driving her to tears. "No…" she finally breathed, voice like venom. "No…" she repeated. She would not kill him. She could swear she heard an outraged shriek. All at once the skull vanished and there was silence. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for him to strike. Nothing. She opened her eyes slowly and gazed into his face.

Gently he watched her, gratefulness in his eyes. She stood at the bottom of the stairs listening to his words. Silhouette outlined in the light he gently said, "Forgive me if I don't appear relieved. This temple had taken its toll on me."

She swallowed and moved up to him. Playing absently with his beard she asked, "Are you going to be alright?"

He saw it in her appearance. She was afraid. Afraid of what his answer would be. He told her he had planned to stay here forever, living out his days trying to compensate for the wrong he had committed in his past. She was distraught. Softly he smiled at her and placed his hands on her waist. He offered himself to her then and there, a companion if ever she needed one to accompany her. "Daughter, do you fear I will do some harm to myself?" he asked quietly as tears fell from her eyes. She nodded without a word. Gently he drew her close to him and said, "You will find me here alive; whenever you choose to come for me. Upon Mara's name I swear I will be here."

"Come with me," she whispered softly, gazing up into his eyes. His heart leapt upon seeing the look in her eyes. Slowly his lips parted and he knew… Mara had given him a gift that could never be matched, never be replaced. Here stood the redemption he so sought after, the blessing the goddess had promised. "She has given me to you," the Dragonborn whispered softly to him. Wordlessly he drew her close and kissed her then and there.