Lemkil Incident
Trigger Warning: The following chapter contains scenes of child abuse if anyone is uncomfortable with the subject matter click away now. Reader discretion is advised.
Who would've thought taking down the Dark Brotherhood would be possible? Tigre thought as he made his way inside Riften.
Everything that led to the Dark Brotherhood's downfall all started when he had Lemkil arrested for abusing his daughters. Tigre, Inigo, Aela, Marcurio, Erik, and Meeko were outside Frostfruit Inn with Erik excitedly telling Mralki about his first adventure. When Erik started telling Mralki about how helped Tigre and the group kill a dragon, Meeko started barking at something in the distance and then bolted. Tigre, Erik, and Aela followed Meeko. When they got closer to what Meeko was barking at, they saw something that chilled them to the bone. Lemkil was beating Sissel with a shovel. Before Lemkil could strike Sissel again, Meeko tackled him to the ground, biting down on his arm as hard as he could, making him drop the shovel.
Reminiscing on this, the following events played in Tigre's memories as he walked towards the Bee and Barb.
Rorikstead, two weeks earlier
Lemkil struggled to get the dog off of him, after kicking Meeko twice, the dog finally let go. His arm hurts like Oblivion, but he has to finish the job. As soon as he went to pick up the shovel with his good arm, Mralki's son came running to his direction.
"Lemkil! What in Kynareth's name are you doing?!" Erik shouted.
"This brat has caused me enough trouble! Now take your mutt and stay out of this!" Lemkil started walking towards Sissel with the shovel.
Erik and a growling Meeko placed themselves in between Lemkil and Sissel.
"What are you doing? I said take your mutt and stay out of this!" Lemkil demanded.
"No. You've gone too far." Erik refused to move.
"Fine I'll get you and the dog too," Lemkil, ignoring his injured arm, was about to bring his shovel down on Erik and Meeko.
"No! Don't hurt them!" Sissel pleaded.
Lemkil ignored her pleas. Before he could bring the shovel down, Aela shoved him away.
"Attacking your own children. You're nothing but a pathetic milk-drinker. If you want to get to your daughter, you're going to have to strike the three of us then," said Aela as she joined Erik and Meeko in keeping Lemkil from getting to Sissel. It took all of Aela's self-control not to turn into her beast form and maul Lemkil to pieces.
Before Lemkil could react, a pair of clawed hands grabbed him by the back of his shirt and threw him at a fence nearby. One of the hands grabbed him by the neck, lifting him off the ground. The owner is none other than a snarling Tigre Pantheros. Lemkil struggled to get out of the large Khajiit's grip. A simple Nord farmer against a Khajiit warrior-mage that has the height of an Altmer and the muscle of an Orc who killed a dragon that attacked the Whiterun Watchtower a month ago. The odds are not in Lemkil's favor.
"You dare raise your hand against your cubs?!" Tigre growled with the anger in his voice quickly rising.
"Why are you and your friends even defending that brat?! All she and her sister ever do is nothing but complain and caterwaul! Sleep and eat! Useless!" Lemkil managed to get out despite Tigre choking him.
Tigre's eyes widened in fury, and he tightened his grip on Lemkil. Lemkil could feel Tigre's claws digging into his neck. He pulled the disgusting skeever of a man towards him so that their faces are inches apart.
"You are sorely mistaken. If anyone is useless around here, it's you! If anyone complains and caterwauls, it's YOU!" Tigre started. Then he began to utter a speech similar to the one Malacath gave to Yamarz. "You don't even deserve to call yourself a father, or better yet you don't even deserve to call yourself a Nord! You're weak, you're small, and you're an embarrassment! You're not even worth the air you're breathing! You're damn lucky I don't think you're worth bringing Volendrung down on you!"
At this point Marcurio and Inigo showed up alongside Rorik, Jouane, and most of the town.
"What has happened here?" Rorik asked upon the sight of Tigre choking Lemkil as well as Erik and Aela checking Sissel for injuries.
"That pathetic milk-drinker tried to kill his own daughter with a shovel." Aela answered.
"It's true I saw it." Erik corroborated Aela's statement.
Rorik, Jouane and the rest of the town knew about Lemkil's cruel treatment of his daughters. Some tried talking to him about it. In Jouane's case, he started secretly teaching Sissel magic in the hopes that it would help her. Now it got to the point where Lemkil almost murdered his own children. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Erik, Tigre, Meeko, and Aela, Sissel would've been dead. Now Lemkil has gone too far.
Rorik and Jouane approach Tigre and Lemkil. Tigre loosened his grip on Lemkil just enough to stop choking him, but did not let him go.
"Lemkil, we've watched you go at this with your daughters for years hoping that you would sort it out yourselves. But now, you've gone too far this time!" Jouane exclaimed.
"I agree with Jouane, you've left us with no choice," said Rorik.
"Well? What do you want to do with him?" asked Tigre.
"We'll have the guards take him to the dungeon at Dragonsreach," said Rorik.
"I agree. For every year he abused his daughters, he has ten more to think about," said Tigre.
"Oh yeah. Give him all the time in the world," said Erik.
"I am way ahead of you on that." Mralki showed up with two guards. I saw him almost bring that shovel down on Erik."
Mralki walked towards Lemkil. "Lemkil after what you did tonight, I am done with you," said Mralki.
"This whole town is now done with you. You are no longer welcome here," said Rorik.
Tigre dropped Lemkil on the ground as soon as the guards approached. One guard lifted Lemkil onto his feet. Another pointed his sword at him.
"You have committed crimes against Skyrim and her people! What say you in your defense?" Both guards bound Lemkil's hands in rope.
Within minutes, three more guards show up with a carriage ready to take Lemkil to the Dragonsreach dungeon. Everyone watched as Lemkil is brought on the carriage by the guards and wheeled away from Rorikstead. Never to return.
"Good riddance," said Aela once the carriage was out of sight.
Now that Lemkil is taken care of, there is the matter of Sissel and Britte. The group walked towards Jouane, Erik, and Rorik who were talking to one of the guards.
"You've done well Dragonborn. If it wasn't for you Sissel would've lost her life," said Jouane.
"Now that Lemkil is gone, what's going to happen to Sissel and Britte?" asked Tigre.
"One of the guards just told me that both girls are being taken to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften tomorrow morning," said Jouane.
"What about their mother? What happened to her?" asked Inigo.
Rorik let out a regretful sigh. "To be honest, Lemkil was a different man before his daughters were born. After his wife died of childbirth, he changed," said Rorik.
"It's understandable that he feels grief for the loss of his wife. But that is no excuse for him to treat his daughters the way he did." Tigre replied.
"I agree. Children deserve parents but not every parent deserves a child," said Marcurio.
"Erik, mister Tigre, miss Aela, thanks for saving me," Sissel approached the group.
"Look, we're just glad that you're okay and that we got to you in time," said Aela.
"Jouane and the guards say that Britte and I are going to be away from Rorikstead, will I ever see you again?" Sissel asked.
"You will. I'll make sure of that." Tigre promised.
Sissel hugged both Aela and Tigre and got ready to spend her final night in Rorikstead before leaving for Riften in the morning.
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A day later, Tigre went to Windhelm to bring Suvaris Atheron home after rescuing her from vampires at Mara's Eye Pond for a job with the Companions. Shortly after escorting her home Tigre went to investigate the Aretino residence to see if the rumors that he is summoning the Dark Brotherhood are true and they were. As soon as Aventus told Tigre about what life at Honorhall Orphanage was like, Tigre felt sick to his stomach with the realization that he inadvertently moved Sissel and Britte from one bad situation to a possibly worse one. He rushed to Riften as quickly as he could, praying to the gods and even to some of the Daedra hoping that Sissel and Britte were not there yet.
Riften, thirty-six hours after the Lemkil Incident
It was nightfall by the time Tigre arrived at Riften. As he got closer to the orphanage, Tigre casted a muffle spell to quiet his footsteps. Once he was sure that he wouldn't be spotted he entered. Upon entering, he casted an invisibility spell so he wouldn't be seen. As soon as he reaches the corner, he hears the following exchange with Grelod and the children.
"Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?" Grelod reminds the children.
Tigre moved a little bit to get a closer look. He sees the so-called Grelod the Kind as well as four children, three boys and a girl. The only other person he is seeing in the room with them is an Imperial woman who is watching the exchange with fear and a saddened look on her face.
"Yes, Grelod." the orphans answered.
Tigre looked around from his spot and much to his relief, he did not see any sign of Sissel and Britte anywhere in the orphanage.
"And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Ever! Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you will always be here, until the day you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?"
Tigre let out a quiet growl at Grelod's words.
"We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness." the orphans answered.
"That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes." Grelod was satisfied with the answer.
"Oh, almost forgot, we have two new riff-raffs coming. Two girls from Rorikstead," said Grelod.
The orphans' eyes widened in fear, knowing that two more children are going to be subjected to Grelod's abuse.
"If they plan on running away like that Aretino brat did, I'll show them what happens when you run away," said Grelod. She turned towards the Imperial woman in the room. "Constance, go get the two new guttersnipes once the carriage bringing them to Riften arrives."
"Yes, but don't be so rough with them on the first day." Constance replied.
At that moment he realized what Aventus was telling him was true. The thought of Sissel suffering at the hands of Grelod like the other four children made him sick to his stomach. The worst part about this was that it was his fault. He had unknowingly handed Sissel and her sister to another abuser.
By the gods, what have I done? Tigre thought to himself.
He needed to do something and soon. He glanced at the Ring of Hircine on his left ring finger, one of the two Daedric artifacts from Hircine alongside the Savior's Hide to which he is wearing. He knows what he plans on doing is risky. But he has to do this to ensure Sissel and Britte, as well as Aventus and the other four orphans will have a chance at a better life.
One hour later, Tigre is amazed that he is able to make his muffle and invisibility spells last as long as they did.
"Constance, go see if that carriage has arrived yet, the rest of you off to bed." Grelod ordered.
The four children went to their respective beds while Grelod went to another room. Constance walked past Tigre without knowing he's there, due to his invisibility spell, and walked out of the orphanage. The coast was clear. He crept quietly as he could, not disturbing the sleeping children on the way until reached the doors to Grelods room. He opens the doors which caused the invisibility spell to wear off. He looked over his shoulder to see if he had been spotted and the four children were still asleep. He got in and quietly closed the doors. He stood over Grelod's sleeping form.
"Now to make sure you never hurt those kids again." Tigre whispered.
Using the power of the Ring of Hircine, Tigre transformed into his beast form. Unlike human werewolves, the werewolf form of a Khajiit is a mix of one or two cat species and werewolf. In the case of Tigre, his form has black fur covering his whole body, dark gray stripes, a long bushy tail, and a lion like mane.
Grelod woke up from her sleep from the noise inside of her bedroom. She quickly turns around expecting it to be one of the orphans, much to her shock instead she sees what appears to be a creature that is a mix of a lion, tiger, and werewolf. Grelod grabbed the closest object she could find and threw it at Tigre. She jumped out of bed and attempted to make a run for it. Before she could reach the doors, Tigre grabbed her by the right leg with his jaws. Grelod struggles, flailing around, trying to free herself from Tigre's jaws. He needs to get out of here with Grelod before the children realize what is happening. Carrying Grelod in his jaws, he walked towards a nearby window, smashing it open with his beast form's massive fist. He jumps out with a screaming Grelod. As soon as he got out, two guards were nearby.
"Werewolf! To arms! To arms!" one of them shouted. They drew their bows and aimed their arrows at Tigre.
He dodged the arrows fired at him as he rushed to Riften's south gate with a screaming Grelod in tow. He and the prey in his mouth, got out through the south gate. Once he was sure they were far enough away Tigre pinned Grelod on the ground and ripped her right leg off. Grelod screamed in pain and pleaded for Tigre to let her go, but those are literally her last words. First, he roared in Grelod's face, then he proceeded to claw at her, bite her, and bash her head against the trees over and over again until she was still. He dealt the last blow and slashed her throat with his claws, leaving her there as she gurgled her last breath. Once that was finished Tigre returned to his normal form and jumped into the lake to wash the blood off of him.
Once he got himself cleaned up, he made his way to the main entrance of Riften. Watching from the bushes, he saw Constance pick up Sissel and Britte from the carriage. They were stalled from entering the city for a few minutes due to Tigre's werewolf attack on Grelod. Once the guards were sure everything was safe, they let Constance, Britte, and Sissel inside. Tigre breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Sissel and Britte won't be abused by Grelod.
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Riften, present day
Of course, Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood kidnapped him and took him to a cabin in Hjaalmarch where she tried to get him to kill three captives. Instead, Tigre made sure Astrid was the one to pay with her life and not long after the rest of the Dark Brotherhood got what was coming to them and soon so will the Thieves Guild. Turns out he was not the only one who is tired of the Thieves Guild and wishes to do something about it. He learns of a wealthy Dumer that is becoming a new player in Riften called Deloth who is interested in the destruction of the Thieves Guild.
"Tigre my friend," said Talen-Jei upon seeing him enter the Bee and Barb.
"Hey, Talen." Tigre greeted the Argonian
Tigre had befriended Talen when he got him the three flawless amethysts, he needed to make an engagement ring for Keerava.
"Talen, I'm looking for someone. A Dumer named Deloth. Do you know where he is?" asked Tigre.
"Deloth? He's right over there." Talen pointed to a table where a Dumer wearing fine clothes is sitting at.
Tigre walked over to the table where Deloth is and sat down.
"Deloth, I presume?" asked Tigre.
"Yes. What do you want?" asked Deloth.
"I've been told that you were interested in having the Thieves Guild…dealt with," said Tigre.
"Well, I think the town and many people would be better off if the guild were no longer in the city." Deloth replied.
"How would one even go about this?" Tigre asked.
"Well, if someone were to try something like that, arresting them won't work. They'd just pay off the guards and be out in one hour," said Deloth.
"I would not be surprised that it won't work, considering how corrupt Riften is."
"No, I'm afraid a more permanent solution would be necessary."
"I know what you mean," said Tigre. This won't be my first time wiping out a malevolent faction in Skyrim."
Tigre pulls out the Blade of Woe and places it on the table. "See this little knife here? It belonged to Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood. She kidnapped me and tried to get me to kill three captives, killed her instead and made the rest of the Dark Brotherhood pay with their lives. And now the same fate will happen to the Thieves Guild."
"You're Tigre Pantheros, the one who destroyed the Dark Brotherhood aren't you?" Deloth had realized.
"That's right. I already told my wife to gather the same group I used to destroy the Dark Brotherhood, they should be here soon," said Tigre.
Little did Tigre know that Sapphire was watching the conversation the whole time. As soon as she saw Tigre put the Blade of Woe on the table, she knew Tigre was the one who killed off the Dark Brotherhood. And that the Thieves Guild is now in danger. She has to end the threat now. Sapphire pulls out a poisoned dagger and moves toward Tigre.
Deloth looks over and sees Sapphire coming. Tigre is able to hear her coming as well. Once she was close enough, Tigre got up from the chair, turned around quickly, drew out Dawnbreaker, and sliced Sapphire's arm, the one that was holding the dagger clean off. Sapphire screamed in pain from both the loss of her arm and the fire enchantment from Dawnbreaker. Tigre walked over to her and grabbed her by the neck, choking her. Just as he had done to Lemkil, his claws dug into Sapphire's neck. Sapphire struggled to get out of his grasp especially with one arm.
"You thought you had me, didn't you? I can tell you right now, your guild's days of running Riften into the ground are over. You now have the honor of being the first of the Thieves Guild to be killed." Tigre snapped Sapphire's neck, killing her.
Tigre turned to the rest of the tavern, who had just watched what happened in shock.
"Everyone, listen up! Today is the end of the Thieves Guild! It is obvious that they are one of the main sources of Riften's problems. Now I've been hearing that they have been struggling in recent years and it sounded like they resorted to turning to the Black-Briars and to more desperate measures. They've extorted money from people who can't afford it. They even blackmail people. They plant stolen property on someone's person or in their house to frame them for theft. Or even simply beat the shit out of them. Well starting today, not anymore! For this is the last day of the Thieves Guild!"
For as long as they remember, the Thieves Guild has been a fixture in Riften. It was something that they have been forced to accept. It only got worse in recent decades and now finally someone is going to do something about it. The day that many had hoped has finally arrived.
"I agree with you Tigre. Brynjolf, one of their associates, has been trying to extort me for some time and it's time someone throws him off the pier!" Keerava exclaimed.
"He and those Thieves Guild thugs have been harassing me too! They've had their hands in this city for long enough!" Bersi exclaimed.
Mjoll got up from her chair and moved towards Tigre. "Tigre, if you would allow it, let me join you in destroying the Thieves Guild. You have no idea how long I've waited for this day to come."
"As a matter of fact, Mjoll I was just about to ask if you want to bring down the Thieves Guild with me. Welcome aboard," said Tigre.
As Tigre and Mjoll are about to walk out of the Bee and Barb, he looks out the window and sees Aela, Vilkas, and Farkas enter Riften with Onmund, Brelyna, J'zargo as well as three of Tigre's Housecarls Lydia, Valdimar, and Argis.
Oh, good they made it. Thought Tigre.
As Tigre and Mjoll walk out the door the patrons of the Bee and Barb express their support.
"Get them Tigre and Mjoll!"
"Destroy them!"
"Goodbye Thieves Guild!"
Author's Note: To be honest this story is a little longer than what was originally intended, and this is probably the longest chapter in the story due to the flashbacks. I kind of wanted to delve into the real reason why Tigre destroyed the Dark Brotherhood. In one of my previous playthroughs of Skyrim I ended up killing Lemkil as a werewolf before completing Innocence Lost. When I went to Windhelm and got the quest from Aventus Aretino I was like "oh my god, I sent Sissel to another abusive piece of crap". When I got to Honorhall, Sissel and Britte were not there much to my relief. After killing Grelod and destroying the Dark Brotherhood I went to Honorhall and both girls were there.
Additional Author's Note: Deloth is a character from the Destroy the Thieves Guild mod. I do not own this character, only the mod author does.