When the sun rose on Skyrim, the forest outside Falkreathe wasn't so empty anymore. Quite a few people had arrived, including the Penitus Oculatus, the Dawnguard, and the remaining members of the Thieves Guild. The Penitus collected the bodies of the assassins and set them all alight in a pile.
Nero spoke to the commander of the Penitus, who had arrived personally with the entire regiment, whilst Serana stayed with Asmund.
"You took out every one of them?" asked Maro, who seemed to be better than when Nero had last spotted him at Dragonbridge.
"As far as I know, yes. There may have been some who deserted, but with no Brotherhood to answer to anymore, they may be having a serious thought about their vampire-assassin careers. In any case, the Brotherhood won't be returning. It's gone. Forever."
Maro nodded, and dismounted off his horse to walk over to Nero.
"You did well, Legate. Though I'm not sure who exactly you worked with in order to find the Brotherhood, I am glad that you took the initiative to try and seek them out. I didn't have much luck after... after they killed my son, Gaius."
"I'm sorry, commander. If I had-"
"No, no, Legate, you hold no blame. We took the credit for extinguishing the murderers last time, I won't make that same mistake this time. Skyrim will know it was you and your companions that slew the Brotherhood, once and for all."
"Thank you sir. I really couldn't have done it without help though."
Maro nodded, "my daughter in law, Faida, still grieves for her husband. But I will bring her this news. That my son's killers met their fates here today. Though it may not dispel her grief, I hope it will bring her some form of closure, as it has brought to me. Vengeance is poison in one's heart, Legate, and justice is the only real cure."
The commander then had a wagon bring forwad the large stone coffin that was inside the Sanctuary earlier, "we recovered this from inside. Ghastly thing. It's the Night Mother. It's in my responsiility to deal with it; as long as it survives, the ideology of the Brotherhood does too."
"Throw it in the ocean," said Nero, "get rid of it. Dump it in the sea, for no one to ever find."
"Ahh. I had thought to bury it, but that idea works much better. I'll have it transported to Solitude to do so."
A Penitus guard came up to Maro with a large pouch, and handed it to him.
"A feat like this deserves so much more, but I'm afraid this is all I can give you, Legate."
He handed Nero the large pouch of coin. It was heavy.
"Thank you again, Legate. To you and your companions. You've done a great thing. We won't forget it."
The commander turned back to his garrison, but stopped at the last second, "we could give you a ride back to Solitude?"
Nero turned back to see Serana with Asmund, speaking to him and Lydia.
"No thanks, Commander. I'm going that way, but I have some business to attend first."
Maro nodded, "as you will, Legate. Safe travels."
Nero tilted his head to him as he took his leave.
At the Sanctuary door, Dawnguards were transporting a bound Babette out into the sunlight with a chain around her neck. She scowled and bared her fangs in anger, "you think chains will hold me!?"
Serana turned from Asmund and Lydia to see Babette being pulled away, and told Lydia to take Asmund inside. Then she came over and knelt down in front of the girl, "I think you deserve a lot worse. No one's comfortable with harming you while you look like a young girl. But you couldn't be further from it. I know what you are, and exactly what you deserve," she spurned with disdain towards Babette. The little girl only scowled back at her, but then, wore a sly smile.
"What I've to expect from the killer of her own kind," she looked over at Nero, and then back at Serana, "and you think you can ever have love again."
Serana came back at her, "they're going to cure you of it, take it away from you, so you'll never turn or kill anyone ever again. Hope you enjoy being mortal. Then you really will be nothing more than just a little girl."
"Of course you'd use the word 'cure', you're not really one of us, not anymore. We would look out for one another," she stopped and sniffed for a moment, before turning even more repulsed, "ohhhh you have the stench of life inside you. You think you can ever be a good mother?"
Serana frowned, silent.
"You think we're evil, that we're blood-sucking monsters," the men began to pull her away, "imagine what your child will think of you!"
Nero looked towards the commotion from his ways over, and came over to Serana, who stood arms folded, silent.
"Her father is going to be so cross with her," he joked, until he saw Serana, looking down. He put a hand on her, "hey, you okay?"
She looked up, "yeah, I'm fine."
Nero wanted to say more, before a third voice came, "Nero and Serana?"
They both looked up to see an orc Dawnguard, as was clear by his armour, come up to them. Nero nodded, "that's us."
"Good work on locating and destroying this nest of vampires. The blood suckers got what they deserved."
"That they did," agreed Nero, "more good news to Isran, I'm sure. Speaking of Isran, where-"
"He was a little busy when your blonde friend came knocking, already away on a job. Left me in charge."
"Who's in charge now?"
"Dunno, don't really care. Probably that priest, knowing his attitude. Isran should be back by the time we return."
"He'll be happy to hear about this," disclosed Nero, noticing Serana's silence.
"He will. We'll deal with the little one. See if we can't try and rid her of the disease. There's a man in Morthal we'll have to stop to speak to, and... well, that's our work to deal with."
"Good luck with that then, and give Isran my regards."
The orc nodded, and bid them farewell, before turning to leave with Babette and the other Dawnguards, leaving Nero and Serana alone, and the Guild who were inside. Nero went and took Serana's hand, pulling her back out of the thought she seemed to be burried in.
"Serana, something's bothering you. Please tell me what it is."
Serana looked up at her husband. The moment seemed very long. Then she put on a smile.
"Later," she said, "let's go see the Guild."
Nero furrowed with worry, but followed Serana down into the Sanctuary, where the Guild seemed to be convening.
Rune was on the floor holding his bite-wound, and seemed to be angry at Delvin, making no effort to hide it either.
"I can't believe you just HID the entire time!"
"What was I s'posed to do?" defended Delvin, "come to the rescue all by me bloomin' self? With me injuries?" he showed his wounded side and arm which were bandaged and tied tightly to prevent any further blood loss.
"Yeah, real hero, Delvin," sighed Vex with her arms folded.
"Nero!" said Brynjolf, turning from the recovering Guild towards Nero and Serana. He came over, with a nice smile on his face.
"Sorry you missed the action," said Nero, "we would've waited in Dawnstar. If, you know, they were actually there."
"Don't worry, lad. It's enough to us that they're gone. That they're dead, and not a threat to us anymore. And here, at last, we can begin to rebuild all we've lost."
Brynjolf sighed, "so much happened the last few days..."
"Feels like it's been an age," admitted Vex who came over, "good to see neither of you died," she met Serana's gaze, who smiled.
Karliah appeared too who, like Brynjolf, was back in ordinary thief armour.
"Though it feels we've completed our mission, there is now much work for us to do. And I couldn't be happier, to begin to gain back all the years I lost being a thief. I see this less as an end for the Guild, but rather a beginning. A new start for us. Long awaited."
"Oh, and before I forget..." Brynjolf took out one of the eyes of the Falmer; it's diamond-like surface glimmered in the light, "we decided you were at least entitled to a cut of the riches."
He handed Nero the eye, "even if they were for different reasons, you helped us. We wouldn't be here without you, both of you. We'll be needing the other to begin to rebuild the Guild. Might take a while, a few bribes, and a lot of new recruits, none of whom will be children, on my word. But we should survive. And we'll have a permanent code written on the wall: no stealing from the Dragonborn, or any of his family, ever."
Nero smiled, "can't argue with that," he folded his arms, "what will you do about Maven?"
Brynjolf's look turned a little sour, "bah, we've no business with her. Besides Mercer Frey, vengeance isn't our forte. If she keeps coming after us, we'll deal with her, but for now, we'll just focus on getting back on our feet."
"We'll need to dig up some of our old contacts," added Karliah, "and will need to replace that door. But it'll always be open to you two."
Nero smiled, "thank you. It's time we be on our way."
"After the last few days, I won't keep you. Safe travels to both of you, and your lad," said Brynjolf as he shook Nero's hand. Nero nodded, before he and Serana turned to leave.
"Be seeing you around," said Vex to Serana, who smiled at her, before turning back and following Nero over to Asmund and Lydia. As soon as they were near, Nero motioned his head, "let's go."
Asmund stayed silent as they left the Sanctuary, went to their horses; he got on the same one as Lydia and they began riding. He wanted to explain to Nero he was sorry. He saw Nero speak to Serana silently as they went on. They weren't riding for very long though, as after a half hour or so, Asmund saw a familiar sight appear on the horizon.
The houses. The people. It was his village.
The town rested on the side of Lake Ilinalta, and as they rode in, Asmund could see his old house. The large inn, where he'd went to eat with his parents some nights. The small hill, outside the little hut... where the girl lived. There she was. Freya. Her red hair glistened in the light of the midday sun. She was practising her spells with her staff. She looked older now. But she was as beautiful as ever.
In front, Nero, Serana and Lydia were looking back at him.
"Promised to take you back here, didn't I?" said Nero.
Asmund was lost for words, "I-... I don't... you..."
Serana smiled, "come on, let's go see this girl I've heard so much about."
Asmund went red, as they prodded on, down the road, into the small village. They stopped in the centre, where they dismounted. Asmund was awe-struck. Home. He turned to his company. The only people who had really cared for him since he'd left the orphanage.
"Nero, Serana, I'm sorry, I-I-I know I should've-"
"Asmund," said Nero.
"I should've listened to you, not gotten myself taken-"
Nero raised a hand "Asmund!"
The boy ceased speaking at Nero's command, and listened intently.
Nero sighed, "you remind me of a kid I used to know. He did a lot of idiotic things in his youth too. Less so now, he's a lot smarter, and very handsome. Although he can be as stubborn as you are."
Nero put a hand on Asmund's shoulder,
"But something you both have in common, you know to appreciate the things you have while you have them."
Asmund smiled, and Nero embraced him, before slowly letting him go, "now, don't keep her waiting."
He looked to Serana who nodded in agreement, before turning towards the hill just beyond the village, and heading towards it. Nero came back and stood next to Serana and Lydia. They watched him walk up, and the girl turn to see him. She dropped her staff, freezing in place for a moment, before running and embracing him in her arms.
Nero smiled, and turned to Serana who was just as happy. They neeed no words, and turned back to see Asmund speaking to the girl excitedly, no doubt telling her of his adventures. Soon enough, he motioned towards them, and the girl looked over. Then, they spoke a moment more, before Asmund and the girl came down towards them, off the hill, holding hands.
"Nero, Serana, Lydia, this is Freya."
Freya smiled, "hi Nero, Serana, and Lydia. I'm-I'm Freya!"
She was buzzing with excitement, almost as much as Asmund, who continued, "Freya... she says I can stay here. With her family."
"My ma and da will be fine with it. I'll make sure it is."
Nero looked from Serana and Lydia to Asmund, before smiling, "that's great, Asmund! That's fantastic!" he embraced the boy, as did Serana, before pulling away.
Nero smiled, "you'll have plenty of time to learn to properly cast a rune."
Freya turned to Asmund, "you've been trying runes? Before I even finished your lessons?"
"There were a few scenarios that called for it," admitted Nero, "oh, speaking of which..." he pulled out the eye of the Falmer from his saddle and passed it to Asmund, "here."
Asmund caught it and studied it a few moments, before looking up at Nero, surprised and confused.
"I don't understand?"
"Thought it was about time you got some fruit for your labours. Yours, to use any way you want."
He was awestruck, completely speechless.
"And if your lessons go too poorly, you're welcome a spot at the College of Winterhold."
"Wha? Really?"
"Archmage's permission," nodded Nero, smiling.
Asmund embraced Nero, and Nero patted his back, "try not to blow yourself up with a rune though, huh?"
"Oh I've gotta hear about all of this," said Freya.
"And you'll have more than enough time. Freya, keep an eye on Asmund, will you? He has a tendency to disappear," joked Serana.
"Don't worry," she turned to Asmund, "I'm not letting you out of my sight again."
Asmund smiled, before turning to Nero and Serana, "thank you, to both of you, all three of you! And Jordis, will you tell her thanks? And the Guild, and the Dawnguard, and the Penitinus.. the p-... the peni-"
"Anytime, Asmund. We'll see you again."
Nero and Serana embraced Asmund tight, before letting him go. He smiled, as he turned and followed Freya away.
Nero sighed, "they grow up so fast."
Serana turned to Nero, and leaned against his arm. They stayed there a moment. Peaceful. Serene. Content.
Then eventually, Nero broke the silence, "well, someone better get word to Jordis, tell her the orphans are safe now and that she can come home."
Nero and Serana turned to Lydia, who looked at them several times, before sighing, "oh alright then. I'll go to Riften and send her back to Solitude, and tell Constance Michel about Asmund, I'm sure her and his freinds will be happy for him, if a little sad," she climbed back onto her horse.
"Oh, he'll visit them," stated Nero confidently.
"You think?" asked Lydia.
"I know," he answered.
Lydia nodded, "after that, I'll return to Whiterun. I'm sure I'll soon see you there," she began riding.
"Lydia?"
She turned back.
"Thank you," smiled Nero.
She nodded to her Thane, before riding on, leaving him and Serana alone.
Serana watched Asmund and Freya on the hill, "I think we could do pretty good."
Nero looked down at her, before taking her chin and pulling her in for a long kiss.
"I think we could too."
Then, after a few moments in each other's embrace, they went and climbed back on their horses, and set off back towards Solitude. Back home.
Author's Notes:
It's done! I've finished my first ever Fanfiction arc! Glad I could get this out a little earlier than my past chapters, and that I have finally delivered the conclusion to this first story. Like I said earlier though, I think the next one will be shorter. Still deciding what to call it, but I shall hopefully be beginning soon!
Also, good news everyone! I recently got a message from ss3dj, the author of Legends of the Dovahkiin, giving me his blessing for this story. This all came from him and his amazing story which I'd heartily recommend to anyone and everyone to read (mostly people who have played Skyrim) so don't forget to check him and all he's done out!
Thank you to all who are reading this story and have stuck with me this far. It's nearly been a year since I started this. Thank you to everyone who has followed and favourited this story, I'm glad my writing is of a good enough quality for it, and a special thanks to those who have left me their reviews, I always love to hear about how I can better my writing and storytelling skills, I really do appreciate it.
Characters:
Freya : a young mage from a small villag on th border of Falkreathe; recently back from her studies at the College of Winterhold, she was friends with Asmund growing up and taught him all the magic he knows
Dragon Language:
None used
Thanks again for reading, and please leave a review, I'd love to know what you think. That's all for now, see you in the next chapter!