For once, Arven woke before Serana did. His eyes opened lazily, the dim moonlight entering through the window to illuminate the end of his bed. All the dull aches in his body were still there but they were more tolerable than the day before. He sat up and stretched with a satisfying crack coming from his upper back.
With a relaxed sigh he looked over towards Serana, opening his mouth to speak, but he stopped himself when he saw her sleeping. Seeing her asleep on a regular bed, curled up on her side with her chest slowly rising and falling make her look incredibly human. He'd never seen a vampire asleep before. Well, he had. It was just normally for the briefest moment after he opened their coffin to stab them, so he never really had time to observe them while they slept.
It was the first time he'd seen her wearing something other than he regular outfit as well. The woman's cloak, jacket and other belongings were resting on a table in the room leaving her wearing a loose silk shirt and her trousers.
If he didn't know any better, he'd just think she was a regular woman.
As he turned away a reflection caught his eye. He turned back to see the vial he'd given her before. It was half-empty.
Maybe that's why she's sleeping so soundly now.
A chill went through his body as the realisation that she'd just drunk his blood hit him, but he shook it off. It was a bit concerning how he'd become so comfortable with the presence of something so dangerous.
He quickly decided it was best not to linger on the fact, however he quickly found himself without anything to do. He didn't want to make any noise, as he'd likely wake Serana instantly considering how good her senses are.
Wait. Why do I care if I wake her? That should be the last of my worries.
Despite his thoughts, he didn't move. He simply remained sitting up on his bed, looking around idly for a good few minutes.
Well, this sucks.
"What are you doing?" Serana's voice called out.
Arven jumped ever so slightly, exhaling as he turned over to look at Serana. "How long?"
"Hmm?" She responded. She was still lying on her side with her hair falling over her face, but her bright yellow eyes shone through her wine-coloured hair. It was hard to see, but there was a definite cheeky smile on her lips.
"You heard me," Arven said.
"I woke up when you did, I think. You make a lot of noise."
Arven let out an exaggerated sigh. "Last time I'm ever considerate for your sake."
She grinned at him. "Still, I appreciate it."
Serana sat up, stretching out as she did so with a slight yawn. Her shirt hugged against her figure as she did so, causing Arven to quickly turn away.
"So," she said. "What's the plan for today?"
"Well, when you're ready we start heading back to the Dawnguard."
"That's a very long walk."
Arven nodded.
Serana let out a small groan, falling back to collapse onto her bed. As she did so her hair ended up in a tangled mess, obscuring her face. "Don't you have a horse or something?"
Arven turned to her. "Why would I have a horse?"
"Didn't one of those Jarls buy one for you? They damn near gave you everything else."
"Actually… yeah," Arven said. "I gave it back."
Serana groaned once more.
"Why would you do that?
"They tend to run when they hear a dragon."
Serana hummed to herself. She couldn't think of a proper retort, Arven was right after all.
"It's not that far," Arven said.
"It'll take days."
"Oh, grow up."
In response Serana rolled around, groaning while putting on an exaggerated show as she refused to leave the comfort of her bed.
"How old are you, again?" Arven asked.
The woman sat up, glaring at Arven through the stands of hair that fell over her face. She looked very cute.
"Fine, fine," she relented. "You just enjoy tormenting me, don't you?"
"Oh, most definitely," Arven responded.
She just grumbled at him.
"I can't convince you to take a day off, can I?" She asked him.
Arven blinked, stuttering for a brief moment. "A… what?"
"A day off. You know, just relaxing. Not doing anything," she said before waiting for a response. After one came, she continued. "Never had one of those before?"
"Never had the time," Arven responded.
"That's sort of sad, Arven," Serana said, a sympathetic look on her face.
"If I take a day off, someone I might've been able to save could end up torn apart."
She gave him a soft smile. "Well, after all this, when no one's under any threat, I'm forcing you to take a day off."
Arven rolled his eyes, avoiding a response.
I think I'd like that though, he thought to himself.
"Hey, about that," Serana started. Arven looked to her.
"How many dragons are there?" She asked.
Arven cringed ever so slightly, looking away. "I don't really know. There shouldn't be that many more."
"Any reason why?"
"Well, something was bringing them back to life but that something is no longer around. So, there should be a finite supply of them." As he spoke Serana sat up, bringing her legs up to her chest as she hugged them. Arven paused for a moment, slightly distracted.
"What was bringing them back to life?" Serana asked.
"Long story."
Serana hummed to herself. She knew better than to push Arven on this topic, despite the curiosity eating at her. "Have you noticed there being less of them?" She continued.
"I… maybe? I haven't really been paying attention recently," Arven said.
"You know, you don't seem to be affected by them as much recently."
Arven frowned. He looked to Serana, studying her. He didn't speak, so Serana continued.
"Sorry, I know you don't like talking about it, but… the first time I brought it up could hear your heart beating like crazy."
"There's a reason for that," Arven snapped back defensively.
"I know, but," Serana sighed. "It doesn't happen as much anymore. Hell, the other day you shouted just to play a prank on me."
Arven exhaled deeply. "I thought that was you."
Serana tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
"I thought you'd been calming me."
"What? No! Of course not!" She immediately responded. Arven just stared her down.
"I promise. The only time I've done that is after we fought the two dragons and you weren't calming down. I'd never do something like that to you without your permission, or unless you were in danger," Serana said. He locked eyes with him, and he tried his best to read her.
He felt like she wasn't lying, but he couldn't fully convince himself.
"If you haven't, then… I don't understand," Arven said.
Serana shrugged. "That's why I asked."
Nothing has changed, he thought to himself. The only thing that's changed, is that she's with me now.
Arven shook his head.
Serana let her chin rest on her knees, pulling her legs closer. "Are you alright? I'm sorry I brought this up."
"It's fine. I'm fine."
"I can hear your heart-rate," she responded, as if saying don't you lie to me.
"Dealing with you is exhausting, that's why."
Serana pouted. She lowered her legs, sitting cross legged as she faced him. Her shirt was buttoned up, but as she leaned forward more of her pale, pristine skin was visible. Arven looked away.
"Why, because I can tell your heart-rate is still rising?" She asked, a playful grin on her face.
"Maybe it's because you're still in your undergarments."
"Oh?" Serana's grin only grew wider. She placed her arms behind her, leaning back as she purposefully stuck out her chest to have her shirt hug her figure. "Am I distracting you?"
Arven's cheeks flushed red, and he stood up. "I'm getting some food."
"Oh, come on, you're no fun!"
A few hours later and the pair were slowly making their way back to Fort Dawnguard. The entire way Serana had been humming an idle tune to herself, just loud enough so that Arven could hear it. He rather enjoyed it.
He found that he was oddly disappointed when she stopped.
"Hey, Arven," she said.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know anything about Elder Scrolls?"
"That's an odd question to ask."
"Well… you spend so much time with something, you start getting curious about it," she continued.
Arven just looked to her, raising a brow.
"Subtle. What else did you want to know about me?"
"No, seriously. I think I've grilled you enough recently. I'm really just curious about this thing I've been carrying around."
"What makes you think I know anything about them?" Arven said. He still had the tune of Serana's song running through his head, but the sound of his boots hitting the pavement interfered with it. He wanted her to keep going.
"You're full of surprises. For all I know you've held one of these things before."
"I mean…"
"…Seriously? What haven't you done?"
"Figured out a way to get you to leave me alone."
"Ouch," Serana responded. "Where the hell did you get a scroll from?"
"It's… a long story. Some old ruins. It helped teach me a shout, of all things. Not sure if you remember, but the one I used to ground the dragons we fought before."
A moment of realisation came across Serana's face. "I wondered how you did that. It just looked like you got really angry and they sort of gave up."
"Yes. That's exactly what happened," Arven replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Serana flashed him a childish smile.
"All I know is that they're heavier than they look," he said.
"Are they?" Serana responded, shifting on the spot as if she was trying to gauge the weight of the scroll on her back.
"Seriously? You can't feel the weight of that?"
Serana shook her head. "No, not really."
"Just how strong are you?"
"Strong enough to beat you up," she responded.
Arven sighed. Maybe it was better not to have an answer to that. It was easier to get along with her when he wasn't conscious of just how dangerous she is. After he didn't respond, it didn't take long for Serana to start up her humming again. A gentle smile came to Arven's lips as she did.
For the next few hours the two of them continued their walk, uninterrupted by anything or anyone else. Arven spent most of his time either enjoying the sky-lights or enjoying tune Serana was singing. Eventually the town of Rorikstead came up on the horizon.
They both decided that if they came across a carriage driver that they'd hire him to take them the rest of the way, on the one condition that it wasn't the same driver as before.
Once they got to the town in the early hours of the morning, they came across the same driver as before.
"No," Arven said.
"Oh, come on!" Serana replied, pouting. "We are not walking the entire way to Riften."
"There'll be another driver later on, you can survive walking for a bit longer."
Serana grumbled at him. Then, she made a decision. Standing in front of Arven she concentrated for a moment before grabbing him by the wrist, dragging him towards the driver.
"Wait, hey! No! I do not want to talk to that guy again."
"He won't recognise you, it's fine."
Before Arven could complain any more, Serana had called out to the man waiting in an eerily still fashion on his carriage.
"You're both up awful early. Looking for a lift?" The man responded.
"Yes, please. We're hoping to go to Whiterun," Serana said.
"Sure, climb in back and we'll be off. Been itchin' to get out of this town."
Arven sighed, resigned to his fate as he climbed into the back of the carriage sitting opposite Serana. She just flashed him a bright, beautiful smile and he found it hard to say anything back.
"Why's that, if you don't mind me asking?" Serana said as she turned back to the driver.
"Now, ye' ain't going to believe this but this town was attacked by DRAGONS not too long ago!" The driver said, in the most animated voice that Arven had ever seen from someone in his profession.
Arven sunk back into his seat, groaning. Thankfully Serana had placed an illusion over him, making him look like a regular traveller.
"Really?" Serana asked, playing the part of an innocent woman. "That sounds amazing! It would've been exciting, surely."
The driver scoffed. "Exciting? Bah! Call it what you want, I'm just thankful I've still got my hide!"
"Did the guards scare them off?"
You're enjoying this far too much, Serana, Arven thought. The entire time as she spoke to the driver, she was flashing him a cheeky grin.
"Now, this is where it gets even crazier. The Dragonborn was on my carriage!"
"No way!" Serana responded.
Kill me, Arven thought.
"He was! The man LEAPT off of my carriage and ran off to fight the dragons!" The man said, excitement leaping from his voice. "A bit too much of a thrill for me though, if I'm bein' honest. Getting to old for these things now."
"Say, what was he like?" Serana asked, directing a smile towards Arven as she continued to talk with the driver.
"Eh? Oh, the Dragonborn? He was, ah… an interestin' fellow."
Serana snorted. "Oh, how so?"
"He wasn't really the chatty type. Honestly, I think he might've banged his head a few too many times. Somethin' seemed off about him."
Serana struggled to maintain her composure, a fit of laughter threatening to escape from her mouth as Arven reiterated his wish to die.
Leaving early in the morning, the carriage finally had the walls of Whiterun in sight by the time that the sun was just starting to set. Arven and Serana had almost been up for an entire day yet neither seemed overly tired. As soon as he could Arven left the carriage, walking as far away from the dangerous duo behind him while Serana arranged to meet the man again at daybreak. She caught up to him quickly enough.
"Well, that was a fun," she said to him.
"You're sleeping on the streets tonight," Arven replied.
"Oh? You're going to let someone as dangerous as myself roam your precious city?"
"My city? Didn't know I was a Jarl."
"Might as well be, considering how these people love you so." As they walked up to the gate Serana removed the illusions she'd placed over them, both to get easier access into the city as well as to prove a point.
"That's a big of an overstatement," he replied.
"Good afternoon to you, thane!" A voice rang out from above, a guard standing on the walls who had spotted Arven only moments later.
Arven winced beneath his helm, but he raised a hand to return the greeting. The word seemingly got out quick and by the time the two reached the front gate two guards were standing at attention with the entrance to the city open.
"My Thane, welcome back," one said. The guard was unfamiliar to Arven.
"Pleasure to be back. My thanks for the warm welcome, as always," Arven responded.
The guard nodded. "Least we can do for you. Let us know if there's anything you need."
After they were out of ear-shot of the guards, Serana spoke up. "Just what did you do to become Thane here, anyway?"
Arven hesitated for a moment, but quickly decided there was no harm in telling her. "A little while ago, while the Civil War was still in full swing this city was attacked. I just helped them defend Whiterun."
"Can I ask why?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, why you chose the side you did? You don't have to answer, it's just idle curiosity," Serana said, telling a half-truth. She was mostly interested in getting to understand the warrior better.
Arven opened his mouth to speak, but paused. He wasn't entirely sure, so he had to work out the best thing to say. "I… I could say I was just supporting the Empire. Makes sense being an Imperial and all." Underneath his helmet he grimaced. It wasn't a pleasant thought, remembering that day.
He tried to fight to defend as many people as he can. Killing other people, especially those fighting for their homes or doing what they believe is right, is something that he could never come to terms with.
"The Stormcloaks instigated the attack. They threatened to kill a lot of people to get what they want in support of their end-goal. I couldn't just stand there and let a town get slaughtered, knowing civilians would be caught up in it." After he spoke, he waited for a response as they walked. None came.
He turned to look at Serana, only to find her scanning the area around them. "Serana?"
She raised a finger as if to silence him before taking a step closer. "Something doesn't feel right."
They had been walking towards Arven's house, a public road with plenty of people on it, most of them walking home. Long shadows were being cast by each house leaving most of the road out of the direct sunlight which was fading quickly.
"Care to elaborate?" He asked. Serana kept looking forward, her brow furrowed as she looked around them both. They were quiet for the moment with the sounds of footsteps and idle conversation filling the area. It was hard for Arven to look around, being in the middle of a crowd.
Serana moved closer to him to the point where they were standing shoulder to shoulder. He could tell he had become incredibly tense. He couldn't feel a thing himself but he knew he'd be better of trusting her senses. They'd be much, much sharper than his own.
While struggling to look for the source of her concerns he found a robed man leaning up against the side of a building. There was nothing really inconspicuous about it, the man just seemed a little out of place. Until the hooded figure lifted his head. It made eye contact with Arven, blood-red eyes shining on its shadowed face.
Ah.
The vampire was too far away to be heard normally but somehow Arven could hear its voice reverberating in his head.
"Hello again. Meat."
"Arven, move!" Serana suddenly shouted, shoving Arven to the side as she spun around with a hand outstretched. A blade appeared right where Arven's back was a moment ago, seconds before Serana blasted a thrall away with a quick bolt of lightning.
The boom of Serana's spell quickly sent most people into a panic. Many started to run away from the source while some other Nords drew weapons always at their hips, looking for the source of the commotion. A few people stood eerily still, simply staring at Arven. They had all snapped their attention towards him in the most eerie, unnatural motion possible. Then they all drew swords and charged.
Shit!
"Everyone! Stay back!" Calling out to the townsfolk around him Arven drew his sword, barely managing to get his shield off of his back in time to deflect the first strike from a thrall. He didn't have time to look behind him but from the sounds of it Serana was busy fighting off some of her own.
The cries of townsfolk filled Arven's ears as he charged directly at one thrall, smashing the attacker's sword-hand away with his shield before swinging his blade to decapitate the enslaved man. He wasn't going to take any chances with something that couldn't feel pain.
His blade caused a clean cut, severing the head from the first attacker. Yet, the body didn't fall. It stood in place, as rigid as steel. Just as Arven saw the vampire behind him, a hand outstretched to control the thrall, the body burst open from the chest. Blood and gore infused with destructive magicks assaulted Arven and pushed him back, momentarily blinding him just as another thrall swung down at him.
He instinctively raised his shield over his head just as a hammer crushed into his side. A pained gasp of air came from his lips and the hammer fell once again. He felt bone break. Lashing out with a Dawnbreaker he felt it come into contact with his attacker just as he opened his mouth wide to shout.
The second he tried to draw in air a debilitating pain shot through his chest, leaving him gasping and struggling not to breath in to avoid the same pain again. He raised a hand to his chest where the he'd been struck, flooding his body with restorative magic.
Struggling to open his eyes the first thing he saw was the back of Serana as she cleanly cut down the thrall that had attacked him. She had gore all across her attire but she seemed unharmed, as far as he could tell. After slaying the last imminent threat, she turned back to him.
"Arven! Are you okay?" Serana spoke quickly, almost panicked.
Arven nodded. "Fine." He stood up straight, taking off his helmet and wiping the remaining gore from his eyes as he looked out to meet the gaze of two vampires standing a good 10 or so metres away. They weren't moving.
He took a quick second to glance around him and saw no one else. No townsfolk, no other Nords, no corpses besides those of the thralls.
Thank the nine for that.
"Serana," one of the vampires said. A Dunmer male. "Just as much of a traitor as your whore mother it seems."
"Garan," Serana responded. "I never really liked you. I'm going to enjoy tearing out your spine."
Instead of responding Garan raised his hands, tendrils of shadows swarming around outstretched fingers. "You'll never get the chance, my dear." He turned to face Arven as he raised his hands higher, the tendrils reaching out and lashing onto the floor around him.
"You and that traitor bitch are going to die soon enough, meat! Along with everyone else in this city." As he finished talking the magicks he had summoned had formed portals, each shimmering in the shadows on the floor as a group of death hounds emerged out the darkness.
Arven dug his heels into the pavement beneath him, raising sword and shield to prepare himself to fend off the breasts. Instead of charging however the hounds merely snarled at him.
Garan turned to the animals. "Go," he said as each turned off, running away from Arven and Serana. Towards where the townspeople had fled to.
"No…" Arven mumbled beneath his breath. He turned to Serana, a desperate plea on his face.
"No way. I am not leaving you," Serana said.
"Serana, please."
"No fucking chance! There's no way I will-"
"SERANA!" Arven almost shouted. His eyes were pleading, a look of sorrow and despair in them. Serana almost choked up, looking back to the two vampires in front of them. Her apprehension came since she knew Garan. He was ancient. Strong.
"This is what they want. They want to drag me away from you."
"I know."
She leaned in close. "Don't you fucking dare die on me." Reluctantly she turned, dashing after the hounds to try and put an end to them before they could hurt anyone.
That left Arven alone with the two vampires.
"I just can't wait to see the look on Lord Harkon's face when I bring him your head," the Dunmer called to him. "Especially after you dared to insult him in his own home."
"Oh, were you there?" Arven called back. "Sorry if you got a bit singed."
The Dunmer growled. "That we were. Harkon was tired of fledglings not giving him the results he wanted." He extended his hand as he spoke, sparks of magicka surging in his open palm. "We'll see if you can fight a proper Vampire without that bitch to protect you."
They didn't wait for a reply.
The second vampire charged at him, an elven dagger raised high. Arven swung Dawnbreaker to parry the blade immediately and was met with a jarring force surging through his sword arm as he knocked the blade away.
Strong, he thought. Not good.
As soon as he parried the attack Arven felt his stamina draining within a second, his essence being pulled to the side. He turned his head to see Garan standing off to his left with an outstretched hand, draining his stamina and health. In response he raised his own hand, a clumsy ward forming that was just enough to stop the effects for now.
The Dunmer frowned for a moment, but that frown slowly turned to a cruel smile. His other hand raised and sent a bolt of lightning directly at Arven. It shattered his ward, causing the Imperial to take a few steps back. A second later and another bolt struck him square in the chest sending him flying back to crash into the floor kicking up dirt and pebbles. He lost his sword as he fell with only his shield still strapped to his left arm. Just after he fell the other vampire, another Imperial like Arven, advanced on him and stood above the warrior before slamming down with his blade.
Arven raised his shield. He blocked the blow but the force rippled through his body. He felt stones beneath him crack as he was pushed back, the dagger striking his shield over and over. "See how weak you are?" The vampire called. "You're nothing against a vampire!"
"Fuck you!" Arven called back out of nothing but spite and defiance. As his shield was battered, he conjured a blade in his right hand, seizing it tight in his palm before he opened his mouth.
"Tiid klo ul!"
The moment he felt the dagger slam into his shield once more he pushed back, swinging his shield off to the side to expose himself while swinging with his conjured sword. Time moved so slow that he was able to sever the Imperial vampire's hand with ease before watching it fall, the hand almost hovering in the air before time returned to normal.
The vampire shrieked and backed away as Arven rose to his feet as quickly as he could. He saw Garan readying another spell with a look of rage on his face and Arven ducked to the side in response, trying to use the injured vampire as a body shield.
It didn't work. Garan jumped into the air, hovering a good few metres above the floor as he raised both hands to send a torrent of hail and ice at Arven. The warrior tried to raise his shield in time but he wasn't prepared and he staggered back, sliding on the ground until he was backed up against a wall. Every kink in his armour was being assaulted by hail, small icicles breaking and piercing his skin.
He opened his mouth to shout but he couldn't. He had icy cold air enter his mouth and his lungs, shocking him into a state where he was unable to breathe.
"Pathetic," Garan said as he looked down at Arven. His worlds didn't reach the warrior with the sounds of hail and brutal winds assaulting him.
Arven couldn't even see due to the thickness of the storm. The winds were strong enough that rocks from the wall he was pinned to were being eroded away, giving out to the assault. He struggled to raise his shield, trying to hold it in front of his body before he was met with an insane pain directly in his stomach.
Just as he processed the pain the blizzard died down, allowing him to see the imperial vampire standing inches from his face with that elven dagger shoved directly into his gut. Arven went to scream but he instead just gasped for air.
"You're going to fucking pay for taking my hand," the beast said. Arven clenched his right fist, ready to summon another sword but before he could the vampire ripped off his helmet and back-handed Arven, stunning the man just before Arven felt fangs and teeth sink into his neck.
This time, he screamed. His voice echoed through the town as his warm blood spilt all over his neck and collarbone while the vampire feasted, parts of his neck having been torn open.
He felt his vision fading but he could see Garan walking towards him, hands folded behind his back with a look of satisfaction. "I told you, didn't I? You're nothing."
I'm not dead yet you asshole.
With the last of his strength Arven threw his arms around the vampire that was feeding on him. He caught the beast in a bearhug as if trying to squeeze the life from him.
"You can't kill me that easily," he said. Then, Arven started to glow. Restorative magics burst from his body, an aura of holy energy swirling around him in a tempest that seemed to create a spherical shield around him. It was a spell Isran had taught him, he just never used it since it left him so drained.
As he channelled the spell Garan stepped back, shielding his eyes. The vampire in Arven's arms however, shrieked. The magicks burnt away at his skin, acting as if the undead creature was stuck in the middle of a raging fire as its flesh gave way. At the same time Arven's wounds slowly began to heal, flesh knitting together as the bleeding came to a stop.
While the shrieks and screams of the vampire filled Arven's ears, he watched as Garan started to conjure a huge amount of magicka in between his palms. Before anything could happen with it though he was knocked to the side by a thundering blast, Serana having finally returned.
"Get the fuck away from him," Serana said in a voice that would've chilled Arven to the core if he could hear it. Serana advanced on Garan again, overpowering him within seconds with her destruction magic before the other vampire was forced to turn and flee, turning into a cloud of mist that evaporated on the winds.
Serana watched as the vampire fled outside of city walls and went to follow but immediately stopped herself, turning back to Arven. Her eyes went wide when she saw him.
Arven finally stopped channelling the spell, holding nothing but the dried husk made of ashes that was barely holding together. He dropped it and the "creature" dissolved into the dirt. Then, he slumped back against the wall. While the spell healed some damage there were still puncture marks in his neck with fresh blood staining his skin and his chestplate.
"Arven!" Serana ran over to him. She immediately pulled him into a hug, holding him close. "Oh gods, I heard you scream from the other side of the city. Please tell me you're alright."
Standing behind Serana Arven found Lydia. She had her blade drawn with fresh blood painting most of it. She was panting heavily.
"I'm okay. Is everyone alright?" Arven asked.
Serana pulled away, looking him in the eyes. Her eyes glistened.
"What do you mean?"
"Did anyone die? Did the hounds get anyone?"
"No," Lydia said. "We found more thralls, but no one died. Some people got injured but thanks to the companions stepping in, and especially thanks to your friend, everyone is alright my Thane."
This time, Arven pulled Serana close. He wrapped one hand around her waist and placed the other on the back of her head as he collapsed against her from exhaustion. "Thank you," he said.
She held him close for a moment. It was one of the first times, if not the first time that someone had ever held her like that. At least as far as she could remember. Over time it moved more from a hug to Arven relying on her to stand, being unable to support his own weight.
Reluctantly Serana grabbed him by the shoulders and held him at arm's length. "You're not dying on me, are you?" She said with a half-cocked smile.
He returned the smile, shaking his head. "I'm fine." He then turned to Lydia. "Hey, Lydia. Got any magicka potions on you by any chance?"
She nodded and walked over, reaching into her back pocket to bring out a small vial of blue liquid. Arven accepted it and downed it within a few seconds, sighing with relief before stepping away from Serana. He took in a deep breath and every wound on his body began to softly glow with a golden light. He burnt through all that magicka within a moment but he felt much better after.
"Do you need to see a priest?" Lydia asked. She seemed almost as concerned as Serana.
Arven just waved his hand dismissively. "No, I'm okay. I'm sure they're busy enough already."
"Alright. I'm going to go see if anyone else needs some help," Lydia said before she turned, jogging off towards the centre of the town.
"So, can you walk or am I carrying you back home?" Serana asked as she folded her arms, giving Arven an amused look.
"I think I'd rather crawl back," he replied. He took a step, but the second he did his knee buckled and he reached out for a nearby wall to steady himself. Before he could even process her moving Serana had positioned herself underneath one of his arms, lifting him up and helping him walk home.
She made it look effortless as she supported almost all of his weight.
"I told you I'm fine, didn't I?" Arven said. He felt like an idiot saying it, but he couldn't stop his pride from poking it's head out.
"I know. Just humour me," Serana replied.
On the way to Arven's house they'd picked up his sword and the second they walked through the door Arven stumbled over to a closet, pulling out a potion to cleanse him of any diseases. Chances are he had early stages of Sanguinare Vampiris and that is the last thing he wanted.
"Stay there for a moment," Serana said as she walked off into another room. Arven was happy to comply, relaxing back in a chair that he'd have to clean later as it was quickly stained with grime and blood. In the other room Serana rushed to draw out a vial from a satchel around her waist. She held the vial of Arven's blood in her hand, almost shaking as she ripped out the cork and downed its contents. Her shaking stopped immediately.
Stupid girl, she thought. He's hurt and you can barely control yourself.
Normally she would've left some blood in the vial for an emergency but she needed to be fully sated for what she had in mind.
Arven almost fell asleep by the time Serana came back out a few minutes later.
"Come on, up you get," she said as she reached down to grab his forearm, helping him to his feet. She basically guided him through his own house into a room with a wooden bathtub, filled to the brim with almost steaming water.
"What…" Arven cut himself off as he just didn't know what to say.
"You need to clean your wounds," Serana said as she stood off to his side, arms folded. "They'll fester. You can't just go to sleep."
"Wrong. I can go to sleep. It might just not be the best idea," he responded.
"Oh good, if you've got enough energy to be sassy then you can look after yourself," she responded.
Arven grumbled to himself but he resigned, starting to remove his armour. He managed for a moment, but after taking off a pauldron he staggered to the side from being off balance. Immediately Serana caught him.
"You're helpless," she said before she started to help him. Arven opened his mouth to say something, but in an incredible moment of wisdom he decided not to as Serana un-clasped the many buckles to get his chest-plate off.
"Damn thing is far too complicated, should just go without," she mumbled.
"Not all of us are as strong as you are. Armour is sort of a necessity."
After all of his armour had been removed Arven took off his shirt and pants, leaving him in his undergarments. He was far too tired for any modesty.
"Thanks, Serana," he said before taking a step towards the bath. However, Serana stopped him. He looked back at her with a quizzical look.
"You can't just get in while you're covered in blood and dirt. You'll dirty the water," she said to him.
"So… what am I doing, then?" He responded.
With a gentle sigh, Serana picked up a clean cloth and a bucket. Filling the bucket with water from the bath she soaked the cloth, standing in front of Arven. The warrior just stood there, stunned.
"Any snide remarks and I'll zap you. Or worse," she said. Then, she started to wipe the grime from his body.
Despite his armour and clothing, having a thrall explode in front of him before being stabbed and bitten left Arven as a bit of a mess. As gently as she could, Serana ran the cloth across the wounds that had been sealed by his magicks but could still be seen, not having fully healed yet. Each time she passed over a wound he winced slightly, but didn't pull away.
Neither of them said a word, or made a sound. All they could hear was water being drained from the cloth back into the bucket whenever Serana went to clean it. By the time she made it to his neck she looked sorrowful as she inspected the bite mark. Her touch was incredibly gentle, with a unique contrast between the coldness of her skin and the warmth coming from the cloth.
After she was satisfied that he wasn't going to get any infections she hesitated, a hand resting on his chest as she had a close look at every scar on his body. She couldn't even count them all.
"Serana," Arven said softly.
"Alright, get in," Serana said, clearing her head. Arven nodded and walked over to the bath, holding onto the sides and tipping a toe in. He immediately drew it back. "Shit, that's hot."
"What, never had a hot bath before?" Serana asked.
"Don't think so," he replied.
Serana almost looked shocked. "Oh, you've missing out. Just try not to drown."
Arven nodded as he ever so slowly lowered a leg, then his body into the bath. A long, content sigh came from him as he was submerged up to his neck.
"Oh," he said. "This is good."
Serana offered him a smile as she turned around, leaving the room. "Call if you need anything, alright?"
After she left Arven closed his eyes, head relaxing against the back of the bathtub. He didn't bother to try and clean himself any further, he just enjoyed the warmth of the water. When his mind began to wander, he realised that less than an hour prior he had been fighting, and losing against two very strong, pissed off vampires.
Now, he was safe and content. There was an obvious reason for that.
While he relaxed Serana had taken a seat in the main sitting room, having found another book to occupy her attention as she sat cross legged on a chair. She quickly lost track of time and by the time she'd finished a chapter, it dawned on her that she hadn't heard Arven say a word. Closing the book she walked back into the bathroom, peering in to see the warrior soundly asleep.
Arven had passed out, arms hanging over the edge of the bath. Thankfully, he hadn't sunk in and drowned.
Serana walked over, kneeling down beside the tub to fold her arms along the rim, resting her head on the makeshift pillow she formed. She studied him, her eyes watching the relaxed expression on his face that she only ever got to see as he slept.
The man amazed Serana. She hardly ever left her home as a child, so all of her social experience was primarily based around talking to two manipulative parents, and other vampires who were subjects of said parents. Talking to a man who wanted to kill her the second he found out what she was fascinated him.
At first, she found it amusing and saw him almost like an angry child. She didn't feel threatened by him. She didn't feel threatened by anyone, except her father. That changed once she found out what he was, and that fascinated her even more.
Now, she felt guilty for the way she treated him the first time they met. Most of that guilt came from how much she seemed to care for him now. It was the last thing she'd expected, but once she thought about it, it started to make sense. He was the first one to ever treat her like a person, not a pawn in some twisted game.
Sure, his initial hatred for her as a vampire made her distant, but somehow that quickly turned away. The fact that he was now willing to fight his hatred and let her feed from him stunned her.
"Hey," she said, dipping a finger into the water to flick it at Arven. The man grumbled as he woke, eyes slowly lifting to inquisitively stare at her.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you to knock?" He asked. "Better yet, has anyone ever explained the meaning of privacy to you?"
"Don't fall asleep in the bath, idiot," Serana responded.
Arven grunted. He didn't really have a retort to that.
"Out you get, you need some sleep," she said as she stood up.
Arven didn't move.
"Everything alright?" She asked.
"…It's cold, though," he said back to her.
Serana snorted. "Who's acting like the child now?" She said before leaving the room.
Arven grumbled as he rose. His body was slightly stiff, which wasn't a surprise, but the bath definitely left him feeling better. After rummaging through a room nearby to find a clean shirt and pants he walked up to his room, taking his stairs one step at a time while almost pulling himself up by the hand railing. Once he entered his bedroom he saw Serana sitting on a chair in the corner.
"Uhh," Arven mumbled to himself. Serana looked up over her book with a smile.
"What's up?"
"Just, you know," Arven stumbled over his words, primarily due to his exhaustion. He pointed to his bed, then held up a single digit.
"I'm not going to sleep just yet, and when I do, I'll go to the guest room. Don't worry," she assured him.
"But," Arven started to say, before he was cut off.
"Just humour me," she said with a sweet smile.
Arven shrugged. He walked over to his bed, collapsed and crawled under the covers. A few seconds later and he was asleep.
Serana put her book down, watching over him for just a minute. She could see the fresh scars on his neck. It was hard to miss, and she sincerely hoped that they'd fade for his sake.
I'm not letting you out of my sight again, she thought. Not until this is over.
And I'm back! Apologies for another delay, haven't had as much time recently to write, and I got my ass kicked around by writer's block for a little while. As always, thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy it! And a big thank you to everyone who follows, favourites, and leaves reviews. I always love reading what you guys have to say!