Serana and I were relaxing a bit for a change as we nearly had a whole evening before we had to go to sleep. After that, our journey would take us to the throat of the world.

I glanced at Serana which was still reading her book. Her singing was still fresh in my mind, and the feeling it gave me fresh imprinted in my heart. I looked at her wavy black hair, which managed to fall perfectly on her left shoulder. As her face was beautifully lit by the candlelight, I admired her beauty. Everything from the perfect symmetry of her face to the little dimples in her cheeks when she smiled.

And those eyes I can't stare at them too long, or I am afraid I will drown. I think I stared at her too long as she was now looking up at me with a questioning look. A blush crossed my cheeks, and I looked away. She just smirked and turned her attention back to her book.

" You know I can notice your heart rate, huh Dracar." She blatantly said as she began to smirk again. " Fancy what you see, huh?"

I got a bit flustered at that remark. * Wait, does that mean every time she teased me, she knew!* I inertly screamed. " I got no idea what you are talking about." I stuttered. Which earned me a raised eyebrow.

" Uhu, your heart is going a thousand beats per second." She remarked. " But it's fine. I enjoy the view as well." She said as she smiled at me seductively.

She reminded me of my late wife. She also liked to tease me a lot. The thought of which made me smile bitter-sweet.

" I am going to sleep Serana, see you in the morning," I told her.

" Goodnight, darling." She said, making sure to emphasize the darling part.

I groaned as I turned around. "You know it's really not okay that you tease me this much."

" But I like it. Why should I stop doing something I like this much. And is so entertaining." She said with a smirk. I just closed my eyes and went to sleep.

Serana looked up from her book and began to stare at me as well. * He really is handsome, and damn he is strong. If only he knew how I felt...* She thought to herself as she proceeded to reread her book.

The following day came, and as I woke up, I glanced over at the chair where Serana was seated last night. She wasn't there anymore and also not in her bed. I scanned the room for her, but she was nowhere in sight.

A little while later, the door of the room opened up, and Serana walked in. With a plate full of food and a bag of supplies.

" I thought I should get some supplies and food. But, seeing as you were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't want to wake you. So I got us some breakfast." She said as she placed the plate of food on a table. I could feel my stomach rumble as I looked at the food and dug in.

Speaking of sleeping peacefully, I noticed I didn't have any more night terrors since the last time.

" Serana, did you ever charm me?" I asked her while eating my food. Serana fidgeted a bit uncomfortable on her chair as she nodded.

The thought of her Charming me made me a bit uncomfortable, but I was shaken from my thoughts as Serana began to explain.

" Yeah, I did.. please don't get mad, but I only did it to calm you down a few times. And every time you go to sleep... I hated seeing you wake up every time plagued by your night terrors." She explained, which made me feel a lot more reassured.

" Thank you," I replied, which surprised Serana a little.

" You aren't mad ?" She asked me.

" No, you seem to do it to my benefit, and I can't say I miss my night terrors. So really, thank you." I told her with a smile on my face. " Ah wait, almost forgot," I said as I grabbed a cup and a knife. She grabbed my arm and stopped me.

" You know I could feed directly from you. It is less painful and more efficient." She said softly, almost in a whisper.

I frowned at her. " Wouldn't that give me sanguine vampires?"

" Actually, no, only if I have the intent of turning you... you could say no but slitting your wrist like that every time could be dangerous." She explained.

I contemplated the idea, it gave me shudders, to be honest, and I didn't quite enjoy the thought of her biting me. But slitting my wrist hurt like a bitch. So I turned my neck to the side.

" Go ahead." I reluctantly said.

" You sure ?" She asked me carefully as she came closer, breath touching my neck, which made me shiver.

" Do it before I change my mind," I told her, and she didn't hesitate to bite me. It stung a bit at first but her soft lips touching my neck quickly made me forget that.

I shivered a bit as her hand was on the other side of my neck and her warm breath on the other.

She got off me after a bit of a while and cast a healing spell on me. " So all healed up." She said as she slowly got away from me, blushing a bit. I was still a bit flustered as I gazed into her eyes.

After that, we made ready for the journey. I quickly stopped by the armory to get a new armor set, seeing as my old one was completely busted.

After being done with that, we made our way out of the canyon and saddled our horses. While we were riding, I decided to ask for directions towards the most straightforward route up the throat of the world. A guard pointed us towards Ivarstead, and we were off.

After riding for a while, Serana spoke up. " I wanted to thank you for trusting me so much so that I can feed on you. I know you had your history with vampires and that it isn't always easy for you.."

"It's okay, Serana. You are different; I trust you." That earned me one of her trademark sweet smiles. And we continued our journey. I looked around the scenery and was amazed at how many climates Skyrim. Here in Riften, it wasn't as cold as, say, in Windhelm. And the Whiterun region depended on it the day. But it was primarily warm weather over there.

The silhouette of Ivarstead greeted us in the distance, and we rode a bit faster to get there before midday.

Once we got there, we strapped the horses down at the inn. And asked for directions up the mountain; we were pointed towards a bridge over a small river and told to just go up the steps. So we made our way over there and began to climb the steps.

Halfway up, we encountered an elder Nord who was struggling to carry a bag of supplies up the mountain.

" Excuse me, sir, can we help you?" I asked him. The man looked at me surprised and smiled a little.

" Ah yeah, you could, you see I'm getting a bit old to carry all these supplies for the Greybeards. Could you maybe take this load off me? "

I nodded as I took the heavy bag from the man.

" Thousand times thanks to you stranger." The man said as he began walking back down.

Serana looked at me and began to smile. " Aren't you the good samaritan!" She said while smiling.

" What can I say? I am just nice like that. Feeding hungry vampires and saving villages from dragons." I said as I smirked at her. She nudged me and began walking again.

After a while of walking up the mountain, my legs began to ache a lot. " Damn, how much longer," I complained.

" What's the matter is a mountain going to beat the mighty Dragonborn vampire hunter," Serana said teasingly. I shot her a look and walked past her with regained confidence. But was knocked off my feet by a giant iceball hitting me.

An ice troll stood a few feet away, and Serana ran past me, shooting a fireball at the beast. She hid in the smoke as she made her way towards it and punched it down with her vampiric strength. Then, sticking her knife in the downed beast's skull.

" I had that!" I yelled at her.

" I'm sure you did, big hero, now come on, we have a lot more stairs to go." She replied.

After half an hour and a snowstorm or two, we finally could see the monastery. I sighed in relief as I focused my eyes on the stone building. A shrine to Akatosh stood before the monastery with a chest and offerings in front of it. I laid the sack of supplies in the trunk and made my way up a flight of stairs.

We were greeted with massive iron doors leading into the monastery. " Are you ready to learn more about your powers? " Serana said as she smiled at me, reassuring. I pushed the iron doors open, and we made our way into the monastery.

The building was lit by a few braziers, and after walking through a few decorated hallways. Finally, we were in the inner room and greeted by an elderly man with a huge beard clad in a black gown.

" I have been expecting you, Dragonborn." The man told me with an elderly voice.

" I have come to learn more about my destiny and power," I said, smiling at the elderly man.

" You have come to the right place. We heard your thu'me and expected your arrival." The man replied. " My name is Arngeir. Nice to meet you."

" I am Dracar, and this is Serana," I said while pointing to Serana.

" Hmm, a vampire, what an interesting choice of company," Arngeir said, surprising Serana.

" How did you know?" She said, surprised.

" I am old, not stupid girl, but it's okay anyone is welcome here as long as they are peaceful. And seeing you accompany the Dragonborn, I will trust in his judgment." Arngeir said, reassuring us both. Then, he turned his attention back towards me.

" So, Dragonborn, what did you want to learn here?" Arngeir asked me.

" Well, I have comes across several dragons, and they seem to attack more frequently. I am seeking the power to fight them more efficiently. To protect the people of Skyrim." I explained to the man, who frowned at me before saying something.

" We are peaceful followers of the way of the voice and don't condone violence. But we to have noticed the increase of dragons in Skyrim. And are willing to help you." Arngeir said, which made me sigh in relief.

" If you excuse me for a bit," Arngeir said as he walked off.

After a little while, he returned with three other individuals, all dressed in the same black gown. And all with grey beards. *how fitting* I thought to myself.

" These are Borri Einarth and Wulfgar. Earth here will teach you the rest of the words of power. Of fus ro and dah. " Arngeir explained.

Einarth stood in front of me, and swirls of energy parted his body, and I now knew the rest of the words feeling their power resonate in me.

" So there are more words I can learn?" I asked Arngeir. " Why only three?"

" Every Thu'um consists of three words of power. Making the shout more powerful which each word of the Thu'um you know." Arngeir explained. " Now, if you wanna test it, we should go outside," Arngeir said, leading us towards the outside courtyard.

All the Greybeards stood around me, and one shouted, and three shadow forms of the man appeared before me.

" Go ahead, try it out," Arngeir said.

I mustered the power inside of me and felt an enormous force building up inside of me.

** FUS RO DAH**

An enormous shockwave left my mouth flying towards the shadow figures, disintegrating them in thin air. The shockwave hit the side of the mountain, and we all shook from the tremors it caused.

" WOAH, THIS IS AWESOME!" I yelled while looking at Serana. " Did you see that your father doesn't stand a chance!" I yelled excitingly.

Arngeir put a hand on my shoulder. " Never use this power for evil. And if you turn your attention towards master Borri, he will demonstrate whirlwind sprint."

I looked toward one of the guys who positioned himself in front of a gate. And master Wulfgar opened it.

I heard Borri say three words, and he disappeared. From where he was standing ** wuld Nah kest**

I blinked a few times and saw Borri stand past the gate.

Arngeir came towards me. " Now, master Borri will share his understanding of whirlwind sprint with you."

As the man stood in front of me, the same happened with master Einarth. And I could feel the power resonate in me as the understanding of the word reached my very soul. It was a strange sensation.

I was led to stand in front of the gate, and master Wulfgar opened the gate for me. I positioned myself and aimed for the gate as power surged from within me. ** Wuld Nah kest**

I felt myself be propelled forward but made a slight error in my direction as I collided with the pillar of the gate. A loud thump was heard as I connected with it.

Serana sprinted towards me, helping me back up. " Are you okay? You should watch out where you aim that, or you will end up with a concussion." She said worriedly.

I caressed my temple. " Believe me, I won't be making that mistake again," I told her, a bit dazed by the hit.

Serana helped me upright an amused smirk graced her face. " What is it?" I asked her, confused as to why she was smirking so widely.

" Nothing much. You got a bump in the shape of a dragon." She said as she traced the lines of the bump. She helped me up, and I dusted myself of turning my attention towards the greybeards.

" Thank you master Borri Einarth Wulfgar and Arngeir. With this, I can fight the dragons more efficiently." I told the Greybeards, smiling.

" Is there anything else you need?" Master Arngeir asked me.

" Wel, actually, we are in search of an elder scroll. Do you happen to have one laying around?" I asked him, scratching my head sheepishly.

Arngeir was thinking as hard as he could, scratching his temple. " Ah yes, our grandmaster might know of an elder scroll. But alas, we can't let you see him."

I quirked my eyebrow at him. " Why is that?"

" Well, our grandmaster is selective in who he speaks to. And you aren't ready yet. However, I could think of a way that you can come into his good graces." Arngeir replied.

" Well, tell me," I replied back.

" There is an ancient artifact that we have been looking for but unable to retrieve it. " Arngeir told me.

"And what artifact would that be ?" I asked, intrigued.

Arngeir smiled as he started explaining. "That would be the horn of Jurgen Windcaller. It's believed to be in his resting place of Ustengrav."

I looked over at Serana with a questioning gaze. She seemed to nod at me in approval.

"Fine, we will do it, but I do expect that we will see this master of yours afterward," I told Arngeir.

He simply nodded. Serana and I said our goodbyes as we made our way through the temple back out.

When the fresh cold mountain air greeted us again after we left high Hrothgar. I already dreaded the walk back down the thousand steps. Which honestly seemed like it were way more than a thousand.

I sighed loudly, which made Serana look at me with a quirked eyebrow.

"What's the matter, Dracar?" She asked. Her voice sounded as sweet and caring as ever.

"Ugh, nothing, just not looking forward to the long way down the mountain... besides that, it will probably be dark when we come back down. Maybe we should rest at the inn in Ivarstead." I said as I let out a loud sigh.

Serana began to laugh.

"Haha, is a big mountain climb going to fell the mighty Dragonborn." She said, teasing me again.

"Yeah, you are hilarious.. got any other smart remarks, bloodsucking seductress." I shot back while I looked at her.

"Hmmm, seductress, huh? I haven't even tried seducing you yet. You would be full filling my every desire if I tried." She said while winking at me, picking up her pace a bit.

While she walked in front of me, she began to walk with a sway in her step. Showing off her curvy hips, making sure I was captivated by the way it moved.

To make it even worse, she glanced back at me with the most seductive gaze.

'I AM SO GLAD SHE CAN'T SEE ME THROUGH THIS HELMET.' I internally screamed at myself, blushing furiously.

"I can hear your h-heart beating faster." She said seductively, almost as if she could read my thoughts.

I cursed myself because I began to notice just how much she could affect me. But, unbeknownst to me, her mind was racing as well.

*I think I am falling for him...* Was all that was on Serena's mind.

After a very long walk and a lot of complaining from me, we finally were back in Ivarstead.

We were greeted with a warm, stocked fire and soft lute music playing as we entered the inn. The innkeeper greeted us warmly.

"So travelers, what will it be?" He asked.

" we would like a meal and a room, please," I replied while putting twenty septims on the counter.

"Give me a moment to prepare the food. And your room is the big one on the right. It's got a big bed." He said as he winked at me.

"Nice woman you have there! Better treasure a fine girl like that." He whispered to me as he nudged me.

I blushed slightly as images of me and Serana kissing flew through my mind. I shook my head frantically and made my way over to Serana.

Her face was lit up beautifully by the warm orange hue of the fire. I blushed at the sight of her.

*She truly is a beautiful woman.* I thought to myself.

She looked at me as her lips curved into a warm smile.

"Why are you blushing?" She asked.

"N..n-no reason." I stammered as I took my seat next to her.

She quirked her eyebrow at me as she looked at me with a questioning gaze.

"Spit it out." She commanded.

I scratched the back of my head.

"Uhmm, well, there is only one room left with just one bed..." I said, flustered.

"I don't mind that, Dracar. I trust you enough to sleep next to you. But, besides that, we have done that before, you know. " She replied calmly.

"Yeah, I suppose you are right," I said as I regained my composure. I still felt a bit uncomfortable as it was true that it happened back in Fort Dawnguard. However, I felt more reassured there as the fort limited Serana's powers. *Why am I still distrustful of her she did nothing to betray me yet.* I thought, but the eerie feeling still remained.

After eating our meal, we made our way towards our room. After the door closed, I once again felt a little anxious. The thought of sleeping next to Serana made me more self-aware than I would like to admit.

I almost didn't notice Serana was talking to me. Then, as my gaze shifted to meet her eyes, she looked at me with a questioning gaze.

"What's wrong, Dracar ?" She asked as she stared at me.

My heart rate spiked as I was startled by her question. I shifted a bit in place, which didn't go unnoticed by the female vampire. As she raised her eyebrow at me.

"Nothing much." I stammered out.

Serana moved closer to me, her hand resting on my chest. As she locked eyes with me, almost looking straight through me. *I really hate when she gets so close...*

"I can hear your heartbeat," she said as if saying /don't you dare lie to me/

I sighed in defeat.

"It is just..." I started but had trouble finding words to say to her without hurting her feelings.

*god, what am I thinking? Trying not to hurt her feelings, I am pathetic.* I cursed at my sympathy for the female vampire.

Serena's eyes had an almost commanding expression. As she inched even closer.

"Could...could you just step away from me a little. I like my own space..." I incoherently blurted out.

Serena's gaze just turned seductive as she softly traced her lips with her tongue. I could feel the heat rise up to my cheeks as I couldn't help but stare.

"Well, are you going to answer me or not?" She softly whispered, looking at me intently.

"Well, you are still a vampire... And I am trying to trust you, but it's tough for me, Serana. What if you give in to your inner vampire." I finally said as I sighed in defeat.

I felt the air in the room get cold as Serana looked down at the ground. Her posture ever so changing from just moments ago.

"Serana?"

She looked up at me and what I saw shocked me. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as she locked eyes with me just momentarily before she walked out of the room without uttering another word.

I was left in the room alone, feeling like an asshole. * Excellent job, Dracar*

Meanwhile, Serana seated herself on a bench in the inn. The innkeeper walked towards her. " Rough night ?" He asked her with a caring tone.

Serana looked up at him with a stoic gaze. " yeah, you could say that."

The innkeeper gave Serana a heartwarming smile. As he walked over towards his bar pulling out a mug and filled it with mead.

"Here, I got something to remedy that." He said while giving Serana the mug. " That one is on the house."

Serana smiled at the innkeeper as she took the mug. "Asshole." She muttered softly as she began to drink.

I waited for Serana to come back to the room as I thought about something to say to her. But after minutes turned into an hour, I decided it was best just to go to bed.

Morning came quick. As I woke up yawning, I scanned the room, looking for the familiar sight of the female vampire. I sighed as I noticed she wasn't in the room.

*Well serves you right for being an asshole.* I thought to myself as I started to get ready.

After a while, I made my way out of the room. Paying for our stay and buying some supplies. The innkeeper was oddly rude to me for some reason which made me raise an eyebrow at him. I looked around for Serana, but she was nowhere to be found in the inn either.

I got a bit worried about it by now. We had a few fights but never has she not been close by. I hurried out of the door and sighed in relief as I saw Serana leaning against the inn with her arms crossed.

I wanted to speak, but she didn't even look at me; instead, she just walked out in front of me towards a carriage driver. I decided it was best to not say anything as she was clearly still pissed at me.

The only thing that bothered me was how much it seemed to affect me.

The carriage driver noticed us walking up to him.

"Looking for a ride?" He asked.

"Uhm yeah, do you stop at whiterun ?" I asked.

He nodded " yes, hop on in. The price is thirty septims."

I gawked at him, astounded by the price.

"By the divines, you are expensive!" I said.

The man just glared at me.

"Well, it's wartime, and I have a hard time coming by. Do you want a ride or not." He said with spite clear in his words.

I sighed in defeat as I rummaged through my pouch, paying him the thirty septims. Seeing as I didn't want to walk all the way, that would take us days. And with Serana being in the mood she was in wasn't motivating me to walk the way either. So we hopped in the cart sitting in an awkward silence.

After a while of silence, the carriage driver spoke up.

"So, first time in Skyrim?" He asked, clearly referring to me being an imperial.

"Yeah, you live in a beautiful country," I said, admiring the scenery of the rift. A soft golden glow came over the mountain, illuminating our surroundings.

"Yeah, it is, a shame we are in the middle of a civil war... those damn Stormcloak's." The man reacted spitefully.

Time went by quite quickly as I conversed with the carriage driver. Occasionally looking over at Serana, which was still giving me the cold shoulder. It was early evening as the silhouette of whiterun came into view.

"Well, this is a good place to stop for the night. Where are you traveling too?" The carriage driver asked us.

"Ustengrav," I replied.

The man turned to look at me with a weird look on his face. "You do know that is a crypt." He said as he raised his eyebrow.

His gaze turned from weird to shocked as realization dawned upon him that I wasn't joking.

"Uhm, well, whatever floats your boat...I could bring you to mortal in the morning for ten septims." He said, dumbfounded.

I looked over to Serana, but she was still refusing to look at me. "Deal," I said.

Once again, the walk towards the main gate was awfully silent. I glanced over at Serana and cleared my throat.

"Uhm, Serana."

This made her finally look at me; however, her usual sweet smile was replaced with a stoic gaze.

"What?" She replied her tone was icy and harsh. A shiver crept up my spine at the coldness of her tone. As I tried to find words to say to her.

"Well, I wanted to apologize. I should know better than to have said those things to you.." I said with an apologetic tone.

Serana just gazed at me. Clearly not impressed by my apology.

"I know my place now, Dracar. We arent *friends* we are just traveling together out of necessity. It's okay, you don't have to like me. I won't force you." She replied coldly, but I made out a hint of sadness in her words.

I shook my head internally, cursing myself for the words I was about to say.

"No, Serana, it is not okay..." This remark made her look up at me, surprised as she quirked her eyebrow and crossed her arms as she turned towards me.

"Then what is it, Dracar? Clearly, you despise me... Clearly, the thought of traveling together with a vile beast like a vampire totally disgusts you." She shot at me. Her eyes glaring at me with a fire I only saw when she fought members of her father's court.

I sighed.

"It is not that Serana...I am scared, okay, your kind gave me a trauma so immeasurable painful it is hard for me to accept there is someone that is so ..." I stopped mid-sentence as a lump in my throat made it hard to speak.

Serans softened her gaze slightly.

"Someone that is so what?"

I locked eyes with her, gazing in her blood-red eyes, which looked at me confused.

"Someone so caring, so normal... you almost seem human to me, Serana, something that seems so strange to me, seeing as you are a vampire. It's just that voice in my head that keeps saying she will kill you when you let your guard down. Even though I know you won't, it's hard for me to accept that there is someone like you. Combine that with the kindness you show me on a daily basis. It just fucks with my mind, okay!" I blurted everything out, not caring that the voice in my head was screaming at me to stop. I didn't care that Serana affected me, something I didn't like to admit, but I had to accept it.

Serana looked at me with a shocked expression, clearly taken back by my sudden openness. She didn't hate it, but she was surprised by it nonetheless.

"Do you really think that after all, I left behind, all the trouble I went through! Getting myself and the scroll out of my father's reach. To just kill you? How stupid do you think I am, Dracar. If I wanted to kill you, I could." She spat back at me. She knew that wasn't what Dracar meant. But she was fed up with being distrusted. She was fed up with being just a tool.

"Look Dracar, for a moment, I thought we were becoming *close* something I didn't have *ever*. If you want to distrust me because of your past, go ahead. But don't distrust me because of the actions of my father! I would never do something like that to someone I see as a friend.." She said the last part was barely audible.

I studied her face. She was clearly getting very emotional as I saw a glint of a tear flowing down her face.

"Serana..." I said as I quickly closed the distance between us.

Her eyes turned into shock as she felt my arms embrace her tightly. She was shocked at first but gave in to the hug soon after holding me as well.

As I stroked the back of her head as I softly spoke up.

"I am sorry, Serana."

She seemed to be content with it as I felt her softly hug me tighter. A slight pang in my heart scared me for a bit, but I chose to ignore it.

We made our way towards the inn to rest as our conversation left us both a bit exhausted.

So i decided to change this chapter up a bit. As I wasn't entirely happy with how it turned out.

Anyways I hope you guys enjoy it!