Serana was stirring the cake mix in the bowl in her arm, humming happily in the kitchen of her Solitude house. It was coming along well, and would make a very nice cake. Over the months of her pregnancy, she'd had to slowly limit the amount of her physical activity, and so had turned to other means of entertainment, which included at long last mastering her cooking abilities.
When she began, Nero was very skeptical, and reluctant to lift the ban on entering the kitchen. But over time, slowly but surely, she became a decent cook, becoming adept at breakfast, lunch and dinner meals, mastering meat, soups, stews, until finding a small passion for baking. She loved cakes, and was amazed she hadn't turned to it sooner.
At times, she wondered if it was something to do with her no longer being a vampire, and her primary thirst no longer being for blood. But even when she was a vampire, she'd never forgotten her love of things that tasted good (that weren't alive) and now she was spending as much time in the kitchen as Nero. They even had several competitions over who could do as well, and Nero was reluctant to admit her skill. Still though, with her stomach broadened by her nine month old baby growing inside of her, Serana found it a good, easy and enjoyable skill to practice.
It was all well and good until she suddenly felt a sharp feeling in that stomach, and she put the bowl down. She began panting, and suddenly from the top of her voice, she bellowed,
"NEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
From the marketplace, the Dragonborn instantly turned his head towards the Thu'um like shout, and in one move, spun his body and dropped the basket of goods he was purchasing to race back towards his home. He dodged between people and running children and the general business of Solitude's streets before finally coming to Proudspire, where he darted up the steps and burst through the door.
"Serana!?" he called, racing around, before finding everyone in the kitchen stood around Serana who was sitting down, eating cake mix out of a bowl rested on her big belly.
"False alarm," said Serana innocently.
Nero blinked for a few seconds before letting out a massive sigh of relief.
Around Serana stood Jordis, the midwife and a few other women, all of whom were ready to support Serana going into labour, but now stood at ease and relaxed. The midwife, an imperial woman named Katia, stood up and waved the other women off, "it's alright everyone, go back to your business."
They all took their leave, leaving Jordis, Serana and Nero alone in the kitchen.
"Well that was intense," said Jordis, "almost as intense as the other day... and last week."
Nero smirked, "no, that one was probably the most um... exciting."
Jordis chuckled, "oh I don't think we, the market, or that bard student will ever forget it."
Serana rolled her eyes, "I don't know what it feels like, I've never had a baby before."
"Fair enough," said Nero as he took the spoon of cake mix and tasted some, "wow, that's good! For tonight?"
Serana nodded, before Jordis took some out of the bowl and tried it, "divines Serana, this is really good! You've come a long way."
"Should be ready for dinner," said Serana. That suddenly reminded Nero.
"Oh gods' damn, I dropped the goods I had in the market."
Jordis chuckled, "it always happens at a bad time huh?"
"Could be worse," said Serana.
"We'll see. I'll be back," said Nero as he got back up and left the house to retrieve his goods.
It was nice and sunny in Skyrim today, and the midday sun was at its peak in the sky. As Nero walked through the streets, several locals turned to see the man who'd minutes ago raced through town like a madman, and Nero only felt the smallest amount of embarassment. Not by everyone though; as Nero and Serana had gone about their daily lives over the past nine months, people had slowly begun to notice their pregnancy, mostly through Serana's broadened stomach. Sometimes people would stop them and get talking about it, and sometimes the people in the market had a word or two. According to Jordis, people liked to get talking about their coming child, whether he or she would be Dragonborn like Nero and/or beautiful like Serana. She told Nero and Serana that people would always love to talk about their celebrities. It wasn't too bad though.
What had surprised Nero was how calm everything was. The city was still bereft of Thalmor, who hadn't even tried to reenter the city apparently, so he didn't have to worry about their intervention in his life. When he and Serana had left for their honeymoon, he was sure the Thalmor would try to dig their claws back into Skyrim, and so he'd left dragons in each major city and hold. But even after their return and over the nine months, he hadn't seen one Thalmor in Soitude.
On an even more worrisome matter, he'd paid close attention to the actions of the dragon factions and had stayed in close and frequent contact with Brelyna from the Blades, who seemed to perceive that the dragons had stopped their conflicts: there were no fights between dragons at the Throat of the World. In fact, the dragons that were causing the trouble seemed to effectively disappear; there were no sightings of them at the mountain. Where they'd gone, Brelyna didn't know, but she promised to tell Nero as soon as there were any new developments. That was half a year ago. Nero hadn't known such peace in a long time, and he was free to relax with Serana while they wait for their baby to be born.
He got back to the market and found his basket; someone had taken the liberty of collecting all his goods off the floor back into the basket and waiting for Nero to return. He thanked the kind stranger and tossed them a few coins before taking the basket and making his way back home.
When he got there though, there were three imperial guards waiting outside his home. Jordis had answered the door and they seemed to be conversing.
"Can I help you?" asked Nero as he approached Proudspire, and the guards turned to him.
"Legate Nero, we've been sent by General Tullius, we need you to come with us."
Nero looked from the guards to Jordis, then back at the guards.
"What is this about?"
"It's simpler if you just come with us," explained the guard.
"Nero," said Jordis in a cautious way.
"It's alright, Jordis," assured Nero before turning to the guards, "give me a moment and I'll be with you."
The guard clearly wanted to insist, but Nero's authority was enough for them to wait a moment, and Nero went past them up the stairs into his house. Jordis followed him inside.
Serana was there, "what is it?" she asked.
"Guards from Castle Dour, I recognise them. I imagine Tullius wants to speak to me."
"What does he want?" asked Serana.
"I don't know. I imagine he'll explain that to me. Hopefully it doesn't take all day."
He put the basket down in the kitchen.
"Well don't be too long," said Serana who rested her hands on his shoulders, "cake will be ready later."
"Looking forward to that," he kissed Serana, "I love you."
He stepped outside and went down the steps where the guards were waiting, and they all made their way up the street, as Nero guessed, towards Castle Dour.
They passed underneath the archway and into the courtyard, where soldiers were training. Captain Aldis was teaching the new recruits, making them into soldiers.
The guards led him into Castle Dour, and stopped at the meeting room to allow Nero to pass through. He went through to see General Tullius, Legate Rikke and a few other Legionnaires gathered around the table. They all turned to see him.
"Legate," said Tullius as he stood up straight, "thank you for coming."
"Kinda hard to say no when three guards wait outside your home to escort you."
"I'm afraid the situation pressed for insistence, Legate," said Rikke.
"What is this about then?"
"Have you ever heard of the Stormblades, Legate?" asked one of the Legionnaires, another Legate.
Nero looked at him, with a face of half seriousness and half confusion, "in the nine months I've been back, I can't say I have."
"The Stormblades, Legate, are a rebel group reborn from the ashes of the Stormcloaks, as poetically as I can put it," explained Tullius.
"They became the Stormblades around the same time that you left for your honeymoon," continued Rikke, "and have slowly been attacking the Imperial presence in Skyrim in small but noticeable ways. At first we thought simple bandit attacks, but their frequency became clear that we have an enemy. They have a new leader, someone who is adept at war and knows how to damage us. But it is no Jarl, and so they've been forced to orchestrate their rebellion in the shadows, operating in secresy rather than openly fighting us. This has meant a slow rise in numbers for them, which is why it's taken them as long as it has to become a real threat. Which they seem to think they are now."
Nero folded his arms, "so you're saying we now have a new Stormcloak rebellion on our hands?"
"Yes," began Tullius, "and no. They're not like Ulfric's army, Legate. They don't just want the Empire out of Skyrim."
"What else do they want?"
Rikke looked straight at Nero, "you."
Nero looked from Tullius to Rikke, then back at the General, "me? Why, because I killed Ulfric?"
"Most probably. They seem to think you're a traitor to Skyrim, a false hero, and they think that removing you is the first step to Skyrim's freedom."
The moment I appreciate how calm it is...
"And by my removal, I assume they want my-"
"Head, it would seem," finished a very unfriendly voice Nero hoped he wouldn't hear for a much longer time. He slowly turned to see First Emissary Elenwen in the doorway with two other Thalmor. She came to the other side of the table, a smug smile on her face.
"Oh Nero, you don't look happy to see me."
Nero's fists clenched. Elenwen. The Thalmor Ambassador to Skyrim. The very woman who had ordered the capture and torture of hundreds of people, under the guise of the White Gold Concordot. She had tried to get her hands on Noro many a time too, and every time he evaded her. Aside from the Dominion's viewing the Dragonborn as a threat, she had a personal hatred towards him. The last time they saw each other, she had come to Solitude with practically an army in tow to take Nero in a day before his wedding. Nero had responded with sumoning his legion of dragons to show her the kind of power he has and is wiling to use. It sent her and her entire army running away. He hadn't heard from her since. Now here she was. In the same room. And Nero wasn't happy.
"How's your wife, Legate? I hear she's nearing her due date. I'm sure no one would want to miss that."
"What are you doing here Elenwen?" asked Tullius, who was very aware of the situation between her and Nero, and was in almost constant struggle to keep the two at bay.
"I've come to oversee how the Empire will deal with this new rebellion. It's my duty to ensure that the Empire follows the terms of the White Gold Concordot, and a group that rebels against the Empire rebels against the Dominion."
"This isn't a rebellion, Elenwen. This group is nowhere near the numbers or strength that Ulfric had," argued Tullius.
"Nevertheless, they threaten to free Skyrim and so they must be dealt with."
Nero supressed his anger; he knew the Thalmor would come back eventually, but why did it have to be today? He struck these thoughts from his head, and focussed on the matter at hand.
"Okay General, you've told me they hate me, so I'll be looking over my shoulder for yet another group of assholes," he looked at Elenwen momentarily as he said that, then back at Tullius, "but why else am I here?"
"Yes General. Not every matter should be entrusted to Nero here, he has a wife to go back to."
Tullius could practically feel Nero's blood boiling, especially at Elenwen talking about Serana, so he tried quickly to keep the Legate's attention on the situation, "because the Stormblades have now sent us a message."
Nero raised an eyebrow as Tullius presented a parchment, "this was recovered from an Imperial caravan attack. The Legionnaires assigned to the caravan are missing, and this parchment explains why."
He handed it to Nero, who scanned the words before reading aloud.
To the Empire,
We are the Stormblades. We have been living in the shadows, continuing Ulfric Stormcloak's dream to free Skyrim, but now we step out. We have kidnapped the three Imperial Legionnaires that were driving this caravan, and taken the supplies it held. If The traitor known as Nero Dragons-bane does not surrender himself to us in Helgen, we will execute these Legionnaires.
For Skyrim
Nero looked up at Tullius and Rikke and the other Legionnaires.
"Well that was... clear," said Nero before putting the parchment down on the table.
"We recovered this near the border of Haafinger, where the attacked caravan was found," explained another Legate.
Nero furrowed his eyebrows and folded his arms, "so they want me to surrender myself, so that they can execute me."
"That appears to be their demands, yes," said Tullius.
Nero slammed his fists down on the table hard. Serana could give birth very soon. Meanwhile Elenwen smiled at the whole thing.
"Well Nero, it seems this situation is exactly up your road," said the Thalmor Ambassador.
Nero looked up, anger in his eyes, until "isn't Helgen where you were nearly executed?" was asked by one of the Legionnaires.
Nero, Rikke, Tullius and Elenwen looked at that Legionnaire, then at Nero.
"You escaped Helgen, didn't you?" said Rikke.
Nero nodded, "I did. I got out through the Keep. There was a cave that led outside."
Everyone in the room looked at each other.
"It got blocked by debris though. But if the Stormblades are using it... it could be open again," thought Nero.
"What are you saying, Legate?" asked Tullius.
"Maybe there's another way into Helgen," said Nero, "if so, we can save the hostages, and stop the Stormblades."
Tullius looked from Nero to Rikke, then back at Nero, "you want to use this passage?"
Nero nodded, "the entrance is not too far from Riverwood. If we could use it, get men on the inside, we might be able to free the hostages. I'll surrender myself to the Stormblades while a group goes in through the passage. Incase it's not open though, we may need a mage to do the job."
"Rikke," began Tullius, "I want you to take a group of men to go with the Legate here to Helgen. Let him show you this secret passage. I'll also send a courier to Fort Greymoor to dispatch some men to help you."
Rikke nodded, "when, sir?"
"As soon as possible," said Tullius, "otherwise those hostages are dead."
"Well Nero, look at you, cheating death yet again," gloated Elenwen.
"General," said Nero, looking straight at Elenwen, "while I'm gone, I want my family to be safe and guarded while I'm away. Stormblades would see it as the perfect opportunity to strike."
Elenwen scoffed, while Tullius nodded, "your house will be given security, Legate. I'll make sure of it."
"Good luck on your little venture, Nero. I hope you resolve this little rebellion before another war begins. Almost as effectively as you started it," said Elenwen before she stood up and left the room with her company, to which Tullius relaxed a little bit.
"I'll join you at the stables, Rikke."
Rikke nodded, and Nero turned to leave but turned back just as he did so, "General?"
Tullius looked up.
"Keep my family safe."
Nero didn't wait for an answer and left to head home, to bring Serana the news. He wasn't looking forward to that. She could give birth very soon now, and he was about to leave for at least a day. Gods' damn it!
He entered Proudspire, where he found Serana reading quietly, but got up once she saw him.
"So, what was it all about?"
Nero explained the situation, and how he would be leaving for Whiterun for at least a day. Safe to say Serana didn't love the idea.
"How can they ask you to do this now?" she asked angrily.
She was due that week, she could go into labour, and now, now, Nero has to rush off to fight some rebels after nine months where the time would've been better. She'd go with him if she could, but even she knew that was a dumb idea at this point.
She went and rested her head against his chest, "Just don't get in too much danger, okay?"
"Come on, it's me. I'll be fine. I'll be back as soon as I can," promised Nero.
"You better be," she said, before looking up and kissing him, holding his bottom lip in slowly before releasing.
He kissed her back and hugged her once more before turning to leave, "stay safe while I'm gone," he said.
"We will, we have cake," she smiled.
Nero's face sank, "awww, save some for me!"
And with that, he left Proudspire and set off for the stables. Serana watched him go, and saw Imperial guards outside the house.
"Who are they?"
"General Tullius sent them to guard the house, according to Nero," answered Jordis.
Serana giggled, "aw that's cute."
Nero got to the stables, wearing some Imperial leather armor and holding a Dragonbone sword. Rikke was waiting with some men on horses.
"Are you ready, Legate?" she asked.
Nero tied his sword to the saddle and pulled himself up onto his horse, "let's get this done. I've got a woman I want to come back to."
They kicked their horses into a fast trot, and set off on their way towards Whiterun Hold, towards Helgen.
Author's Notes:
So here's my next arc, Last Vigils, and it's come out sooner than I thought it would. My Univerity has been shut because of the coronavirus. My sympathies to all and any who are suffering from this pandemic, I hope we can all pull through this and show our strength and courage to carry on!
Though my studies haven't been completely stopped (online teaching is a thing now, yayyy -_- ) it has given me a lot more time, so I was able to come back to this a lot sooner :) I don't know if I'll be able to get out each arc like once a week, but since I'm stuck at home in self-isolation I will probably write a bit more frequently.
So it's been eight months or so since they returned from their honeymoon, and Serana is nearing her due date of expectancy. However, the Stormblades have suddenly come into the fold. They were previously mentioned in my first ever chapter, Deeds of Vengeance 0, where Gaius the Penitus soldier was sent to look for them. And now, they've made a move. But who are they? And who is their mysterious leader? Elenwen has also returned to Solitude after all this time. It was all going well, and suddenly Nero's life is near upside down again.
This is, by all accounts, technically the first arc I actually ever thought of. It's gone through a few changes over the years (oh, wow, years, yeah it has been that long) to what I think is the best final version, and now I can finally share it with you guys! I hope you enjoy it :)
I want to say quickly though, thank you for reading this far. Though this story is mine, it is all because of ss3dj and his amazing story that really made the Dragonborn into a hero character for me as well as Serana into an even better strong fiery vampire waifu (although now without the vampire bit). This is still very much just a bit of fun and not the definite sequel to his story. So thanks again for sticking with me this far :)
Characters:
First Emissary Elenwen: The High Elf woman in charge of the Thalmor in Skyrim. You first see her when you're being brought to Helgen to be executed. All-round bitch.
General Tullius: Leader of the Legion in Skyrim.
Legate Rikke: Basically Tullius' right hand woman.
Dragon Language: None Used
Thanks again for reading, and please drop me a review, I'd love to know what you guys think!