(Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim; just Xana, Brii, and my other OC's)
(Authors Note: Greetings dear readers, fellow writers, and gamers of every size, shape, color, and gender! First of all, I am so, so sorry for the delay in updates, but I've been rather distracted following the birth of my niece. I've also been going back and playing through Skyrim again so as to draw out some more inspiration for the story. Unfortunately, updates will be kinda slow as I also have to focus on updating my other stories and will be busy with holiday preparations. So until next time, stay safe, stay sane, and stay awesome!)
"So, why did you leave me," Xana curiously asked as she sat across from the Legate with Brii comfortably nestled inside her carrier.
Sevan Telendas emitted a sigh as he glanced over at his daughter, "After Alua's passing, I was at a loss at what to do. While I wanted to raise you myself, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to properly care for you; so I made the difficult decision to leave you with Tenova and Flower-Song. I did so knowing that they would be able to give you the loving family and support you deserved." He shamefully cast his eyes downward, afraid to meet her gaze, "You must think I'm a coward for leaving you behind."
At that, she shook her head and placed a hand atop of his forearm, "No, I don't. You did what you knew was best for me and I'm grateful that you did, because I have a wonderful family who loves me and has raised me into the woman I am today. So, thank you for entrusting Tenova and Flower-Song with my care. Honestly, they're the best parents I could've ever hoped for, and their sons' are the best big brothers."
"I'm glad to hear that. Alua would have been proud to see what you've become today."
"What was she like?"
He fondly smiled and sat back in his chair as memories of his late wife began playing in his head, "Where do I even begin? Your Mother was the most charismatic, beautiful and tenacious woman I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. She had a bright smile that would light up a room and her eyes sparkled like gems. She never backed down from a fight and was always quick with a blade or a bow. Of course, I later found out that she had honed her skills after her many ventures into Oblivion."
"Did she ever talk about the experiences she faced while in there?"
Sevan sadly nodded as his face became grim, "She never talked about it unless her memories forced her to do so. By that, I mean she'd have night terrors of the horrors she'd seen while traversing through those hellish planes. She'd often wake up covered in sweat and screaming, or she'd break down and cry while I'd sit up with her and hold her close as she calmed herself down. It was during those times she'd tell me of her unfortunate journeys. While I tried my best to be strong, there were times I'd nearly be brought to tears with how much she had endured just to save this world."
"I can't even imagine what she must have gone through. How did she manage to stay sane after all that?"
*sigh* "I believe that she struggled with her mental state for years following her journeys through Oblivion, but she never let it consume her."
"I'm glad to hear that." She then asked, "So...you've been stationed in Skyrim for nearly two years?"
"Correct. Before, I was stationed down in Anvil."
"Well, that must have been quite a change for you."
"Indeed. To say I was not prepared for this level of cold was a terrible understatement. When I first arrived in Winterhold, I spent the first few weeks acclimating to the weather and adapting to the harsh environment."
"Smart. I wish I had time to adapt to the weather when I first arrived in Skyrim, but I wasn't exactly given that chance."
"And why's that?"
Xana emitted a sigh as she gently rubbed Brii's fingers while she peacefully slept, "I was captured by the Legion while I was trying to cross the border. Apparently, General Tullius and Legate Rikke thought I was a Stormcloak because they ambushed a group of them that happened to be in the same area as I was at the time of my capture. We were then loaded onto a wagon and taken to Helgen to be executed.."
"WHAT?!"
Before he could storm out of the tent ride to Solitude to confront the General and Legate Rikke, Xana held up a hand, "..However...I was obviously NOT executed, but I was literally on the chopping block when my unexpected savior came to my rescue.."
For the next half hour, Legate Telendas listened as Xana explained her escape from Helgen and her Dragonborn journey. Of course, she didn't tell him about her pairing with Odahviing just yet because it wasn't the right time to bring up that particular topic. That, and she'd rather discuss her personal life with him another time...preferably, when he wasn't among his troops.
When all was said, he crossed his arms and gave his daughter a fond smirk, "I see you took after your Mother in more ways than I realized."
"So I've read in her journals."
"Ah, so you've finally been permitted to read them. What'd you think?"
"Honestly, I was shocked. I never expected to be related to the Champion of Cyrodiil."
He emitted a soft chuckle, "Surprising, I know. In truth, I didn't even know of her title and significance until almost a year after we were married. She said the reason for the secrecy was because she wanted me to see her as a person and not some legendary hero. Of course, even after the truth came out, she was still the same radiant Dunmer lass I fell in love with."
"Well, that's good," she then glanced outside of the tent and emitted a sigh, "I suppose I should head home before nightfall. Plus, I shouldn't take up more of your time, seeing as how you've got troops to command."
He frowned but gave her an understanding nod, "As much as I'd like for you to stay longer, you're correct on that statement. However, you're always welcome to stop by again sometime."
"And you're welcome to visit us anytime. My home, Lakeview Manor, is located outside of Falkreath, just past Pinewatch."
"I'll keep that in mind," he replied with a smile as the two of them shared a hug. "Maybe next time I'll be able to hold my granddaughter."
"Yea; I'm sorry you didn't get the chance this time. I just didn't want her to be exposed to the colder air."
"I understand your reasoning and I agree with your judgment."
"Thank you." They shared one final hug before stepping out of the tent, to which she walked through the camp and over to a large clearing where she looked towards the sky and shouted, "OD AH VIING!"
Seconds later, a familiar roar was heard followed by the sound of heavy wingbeats as the large crimson dragon descended upon the area and landed across from Xana. "Drem yol lok, dii brit fahliil."
"Hmm, and a warm greeting to you as well dii brit dovah," she smiled while gently rubbing his snout. She refrained from kissing his maw due to the fact that she was still within the borders of the camp and the fact that the Imperial soldiers were warily watching them. But that didn't stop her from running her fingers along his neck as she mounted him and strapped herself in the saddle. Once settled, Xana gave him a slight pat on his neck to indicate that she was ready to take off, to which he then took to the skies and flew south towards Falkreath.
XXXXX
-Later that Night-
After drinking one of the alteration potions, Odahviing was now inside the house with his mate as they heated up some water in one of the cook pots and poured some of it in a bucket of room temperature water, which they then used to bathe their daughter. Brii was currently lying naked in her Mother's lap as she comfortably sat on the floor across from the fireplace, and gently began wiping her down with a damp cloth. The tiny hybrid emitted a soft purr-like sound of contentment as her scaly skin was gently cleaned and her hair was washed.
"Well, well, well, don't we look better all washed up."
"Oh-ah," the little baby cooed and lightly swished her tail as her Monah gently began to dry her off.
"Hm, yes, you did have quite the adventure today."
From where he sat nearby, Odahviing fondly smirked, "Why do I get the feeling that you want to take her out on another trip soon?"
"What? She's old enough to travel to Whiterun or to the Throat of the World," she suggested with a wink while he rolled his eyes and handed her a clean nappy and gown for Brii.
"You're just eager to see how she'll react to Paarthurnax."
She shrugged and gave him a smile, "Can you blame me? You're the only dragon she's ever interacted with. Also, I'd like for her to meet him as he's been an important member of my life and he's the reason we met. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have learned your name nor captured you in Dragonsreach."
He emitted a slight huff and gave her a smile, "I see your point. Very well, we'll travel to his domain when I change back into my true form."
"Thank you, Odahviing."
A slight nod was his response before they heard footsteps coming down the stairs, to which Renessie softly entered the dining hall with her son securely cradled against her chest, "I thought I heard voices down here," she stated with a smile.
"Sorry if we disturbed you," Xana replied, to which she shook her head:
"No, no, you didn't disturb me. I was just resting my eyes for a few minutes while LAD was asleep. He's been rather fussy all day and hasn't slept much since last night."
"Ah, I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's fine," she waved it off as she sat down in one of the nearby chairs. "By the way, Sea and Shore are out fishing in the lake, but they should be back soon to fix supper."
At the mention of food, Xana's stomach growled, bringing a fond smirk across Odahviing's face. "Sounds like the Dovahkiin is in need of sustenance."
She narrowed her ruby eyes at him before emitting a soft laugh, "I guess I am a little hungry from traveling around all day. But I suppose the same could be said about you too."
"Indeed," he agreed before their daughter suddenly emitted a squeak and began sucking on her fist, indicating that she too was hungry.
"Oh, dii mal dovah, are you hungry again?"
Brii swished her tail and made her 'feed me' face, to which Xana loosened the straps on her chemise and held her up to her breast to nurse. Upon latching onto her nipple, the little hybrid hungrily began to suckle while her Mother emitted a pained wince, "Ouch, that hurts! Why are you so rough with my breasts?" The tiny infant paid her question no mind as she nursed and clung onto her chemise.
"You don't complain when I'm the one lavishing your divine mounds," Odahviing quipped with a knowing smirk, which brought a delightful shade of crimson across her cheeks.
"Well, unlike our daughter, you at least have some self-control when it comes to applying pressure and while using your teeth."
"Geh, that's true." He then moved closer to her and whispered in her ear, "I wouldn't mind demonstrating my self-control on you after our kiir is put to bed."
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Xana couldn't help but smile at him, "Naughty dovah."
"Brit fahliil."
XXXXX
True to his word, Odahviing was currently displaying his self-control as he passionately made love to his mate while their daughter slept in the nearby cradle. He lavished her breasts, caressed her hips, and coveted her lips as they locked them together while he brought her over the edge and heavily dispersed his seed within her divine chalice. When finished, he tenderly cupped her cheek and professed his love to her while she did the same to him; however, their tender moment was suddenly interrupted by a shrill cry as Brii burst into a fit of tears.
With their parental instincts flaring up, both Xana and Odahviing quickly got out of bed to see what was the matter, to which they discovered blood upon their daughter's head. "Brii?! Oh Akatosh, what happened?!" Panic settled within the young Dunmer as she inspected her baby for injuries; however, amidst the blood were two tiny horns protruding from the little hybrid's scalp.
"It seems her horns are finally starting to grow out," Odahviing noted as he gently dabbed at Brii's head with a clean water-soaked cloth while parting her hair aside for Xana to see for herself.
As they tended to their daughter, Sea, Shore and Renessie rushed into the room with their son in tow: "What's going on?! What happened," Sea worriedly asked while trying to ignore the fact that both his sister and brother-in-law were currently naked.
"Brii's horns have broken through her scalp," Xana answered with a mixture of relief and worry. She was relieved that her baby's current injuries weren't caused by a foreign object or an unknown entity; however, she was worried about the amount of blood that was seeping through her wounds. Using her restoration magic, she eased her daughter's pain and stopped the bleeding, while Odahviing continued to gently clean the afflicted areas.
"Oh sweetie, horns are painful when they first start to grow, but after a while it gets easier," Nessie stated as she reached over and rubbed Brii's tummy, to which the tiny hybrid glanced over at her aunt with a pitiful expression lining her disgruntled face as she continued to cry while tears rolled down her chubby little cheeks.
"Odahviing, dear, could you hold her for a little while? It's kinda difficult for me to focus my magic while she's crying and flailing in my arms."
"Of course." He then carefully took Brii into his warm embrace and securely held her against his chest while Xana resumed administering a healing spell on her wounds. "Til nu dii mal kulaas. Pah fen kos yuvon," he calmly spoke while lovingly rubbing her back, soothing her in the process and bringing her to a calmer state of body and mind.
"What sort of magic did you use just now," Shore curiously inquired.
"No magic. Just some words of comfort. Apparently she enjoys listening to my voice and finds it soothing."
"Hmm, our daughter isn't the only one who finds your voice soothing," Xana quipped with a wink. "I could listen to you talk all night long."
"Same here, dii brit fahliil," he purred before a pair of robes were presented to them:
"Could you two please put these on while we're in the vicinity," Sea asked as he averted his gaze and handed them the loose-fitting garments.
Realizing her current state of undress, Xana felt her face heat up as her cheeks turned a bright shade of scarlet. With unnatural speed, she donned her robe and assisted her mate with his as he continued to hold their child.
Afterwards, they all headed into the main hall and sat around the table while Shore stepped into the kitchen and began brewing some tea. Sleep was obviously out of the question as everyone was now wide awake from Brii's shrill cry of pain. Even Light-Amidst-Darkness was awake and confused as to what was happening. Of course, being a hatchling, he had no way of expressing his confusion other than crying.
Unfortunately, with her cousin now crying, Brii started to cry once more, to which all of the adults looked at one another with tired expressions lining their faces, knowing that it was going to be a long night.