Rikke walked alone down a hallway in Castle Dour, passing two thalmor guards that were patrolling, neither of whom gave her any courtesy not hindrance. She was just a legate, an Imperial legate.

Despite her many years as a soldier and her ability to control her thoughts and emotions, nothing stopped her worries at what she was about to do. General, she thought, you will understand. You may not now. But there's no other way.

She arrived at Tullius' private office, and snuck inside easily enough. Here she would find his seal. She pulled out the letter, which she had been over countless times the previous night, near burning it and then keeping it and near buring it again, but finally realizing that it was the right thing to do. She found the seal, next to Tullius' quill and inkwell. She looked down at the words one final time. This is the only way, she told herself. She heated the wax, poured it over the letter, and pressed Tullius' seal down upon it.

In a room nearby in the castle, Elenwen looked out at the city, shaking a glass of wine in her hand around, smiling. The ships would arrive in just one more day, and then they would see. Her place in the Dominion would finally be recognised. When Thrandonir arrived, he would see, and things would change.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a crash through her door, and Rulindil panting.

"Emissary!" he almost cried.

"What is it, Rulindil?" she asked, annoyed.

"The Embassy! It's burned down!"

Elenwen's eyes widened with shock, then with fury, "what?!"

"Someone, a woman, she came and freed our prisoner, and then set the building alight."

"Who?!"

"I don't know! She must've been an ally of Nero's! His wife must've sent her."

Elenwen did not look amused at all, "send groups all over Skyrim, to all of Nero's known allies. Find whoever did this, and punish them! Skyrim needs to pay for this. And find his wife, the sooner she is found, the sooner his line is broken. Find them today!"

Rulindil lit up, "the Companions! They were his fiercest allies, they'll be a good start."

Elenwen nodded, "send a group. Make an example of them."

With that, Rulindil left, and Elenwen turned back to her window, looking out. I will root out every last one of your friends, Nero. No one will believe in you after today. She turned back and sipped her wine. As she did so, the legate woman walked past her open door, holding a letter. She squinted her eyes, before walking out.

"Halt," she ordered, but the woman continued walking.

"I said HALT!" ordered Elenwen, which caught her guards attention, and the woman stopped.

"What is that in your hand?" asked Elenwen.

Rikke didn't move for a moment. Then she slowly turned around and faced her.

~ Whiterun Hold ~

Odahviing landed not too far away from the city, where Serana, Jordis and Valerica all got off. Jordis was still recovering from her wounds, but was very determined to press on. Valerica went out first to scope out the city in case of thalmor, and to no one's surprise, returned with news that they had returned to the city and were on regular patrols around. Serana had an idea and got up to move, turning first to the dragon.

"Thank you, Odahviing," said Serana.

The dragon nodded, "I will fly these skies for a time. Best of luck in your ventures."

Serana nodded, and with that the dragon took off again into the sky.

"Would've been nice to keep him," said Jordis.

"Dragons are slaves to no one," explained Valerica, "I'm quite surprised he's helped us as much as he has thus far."

"He was Nero's friend," said Serana, still blocking her emotions, "now let's stay focused and get in there."

Whiterun could be seen from here, they had a bit of walking to do.

"So how are we gonna get in there?" asked Jordis.

"There's another way in to the city," explained Serana, "the Companions have a sort of cave that Nero once told me about, under their Skyforge. It will lead us right up next to them."

With that, the ladies began walking towards the city, while rainy clouds loomed overhead. They eventually reached the opening of the cave, and traversed its interior upwards, into the underforge.

"Oh, there is a stink of wolf in here," noticed Valerica.

Serana saw the pedestals around, with totems here and there. This was where Nero told her he got turned. It was odd to think that he actually drank Aela's blood, but her past didn't exactly put her in a place to judge.

Suddenly, a part of a wall opened up nearby, and in walked a woman with red hair and war paint across her face. She set eyes on Serana instantly, and stopped, going wide eyed.

"Serana?"

Serana smiled, "Aela."

Serana went to her friend, who embraced her tightly. Tears ere welling up, and Serana wanted to collapse, but not yet. She had to be strong a little longer.

Aela recognised Jordis and Valerica over shoulder, before looking at Serana, "let's get you inside."

She led the group out of the underforge and into Jorrvaskr, holding Serana all the while. Outside, the Companions were training hard, and a few faces turned at them, including Farkas and Vilkas. They went inside, and Aela sat Serana down, just as the twins joined them inside.

"Lady Serana?" said Vilkas, obviously as surprised as Aela was, "what are you doing here? Not that we're not happy to see you, but... we heard that..."

Serana looked up, "I'm alright."

"You don't look alright," said Farkas, to which Serana struggled for words.

Aela understood, "you're tired and weary. Let's get you to a room where you can rest for a bit."

Serana nodded, when suddenly the other Companions joined them inside to see the Dragonborn's wife, and questions began being thrown.

"We heard you were dead."

"What happened to you?"

"Is our harbinger alive too?"

Jordis spoke up, "alright, enough questions! Serana is exhausted, tired, and needs to lay down. If you haven't noticed the baby in her stomach, she needs to rest for a bit, and I'll explain to you all why we're here."

Jordis looked to Serana as Aela and Valerica helped her away, before looking back at the group. The Companions looked to her and listened intently, Vilkas and Farkas most of all, while the other three ladies went below.

Aela and Valerica helped Serana to the harbinger's bedroom, where they sat Serana down on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" asked Aela.

"Like I'm nine months pregnant," said Serana half jokingly, which earned a sad smile from Aela.

"I warned that coming here would not be good for you, Serana," said Valerica, which earned a look from Aela.

"Mother, can... can I speak to Aela privately?"

Valerica looked from her daughter to the Companion, before nodding and turning to leave, closing the door behind her.

Aela turned to Serana, "the Thalmor bastards will pay for this, Serana."

Serana felt her walls finally collapse, and she fell into Aela's arms and began to weep. Aela saw just how broken she was, and put arms around her.

"I'm sorry Serana. I'm so sorry."

Serana wept. She wept for the man she lost, the man she had loved more than anything in the world. She wept for all that had happened. She wept in the arms of her best friend, the only friend she would let herself lean on.

Aela held her close. Serana was one of the strongest women she had ever met, but losing Nero... to those Thalmor bastards... she couldn't imagine how it felt. How much it must hurt. It hurt Aela too, but inside rage was building. She looked down to Serana.

"We're make them pay, Serana. We will."

~ Solitude ~

Rikke had been seized as soon as she tried to struggle, and the letter brought to Elenwen. After studying its contents, she realised just what could be going on. So she summoned General Tullius along with the Jarl. This deserved a good audience.

Rain fell overhead as she waited in the courtyard, with Rikke bound by the hands and Thalmor guards around them. Soon enough though, a figure appeared, clad in black armour and standing several inches above her. He looked around, almost in confusion, but said nothing.

"Good, you're here," she smiled as the Warrior stood several metres away, "you will be instrumental to the rest of my plan."

The Warrior still said nothing, just as General Tullius and Jarl Elisif arrived, both with a small group of guards. Elisif appeared as if she had something she'd planned to say, but when Tullius saw Rikke, he took the floor immediately.

"Elenwen, what are you doing?!" he demanded, "why have you arrested my legate? She is no Talos worshipper and no traitor to the concordot in any way, release her immediately!"

Elenwen smiled, "oh, that's where you're wrong, General. I'm afraid she has attempted to betray the first decree of the peace treaty: ending the peace."

She handed the letter to Tullius, who looked to it from Rikike, regarding it.

Elisif butted in, "Emissary Elenwen, this is a most irregular summoning and it seems to stand on more irregular supports. Why is this legate bound?"

Elenwen did't answer as the General spoke, "this is my seal."

"Indeed. Read it," said Elenwen.

Tullius opened the parchment and began reading the letter that Rikke had created. When he was done, he simply stared, before forcing himself to look up at her. Rikke met his eyes with a look of sincerity, of duty.

"The words you've just read indicated to me that your legate here intended to contact your Emperor to inform him of a false attack that had occured and request soldiers to arrive here. Why would she ask for soldiers, General?"

Tullius said nothing, in silent unerstanding of what Rikke had done.

"Guards at least would warrant more inquiry, but 'soldiers'... soldiers are used in war, General."

Elenwen turned to Rikke, "a war that you just tried to start."

"That is preposterous," said Elisif, "no imperial legate would jeopardize the existence of the peace between us, no matter what events may have taken place."

"Elisif-"

"I understand that the people of Skyrim may have not taken your new contingencies well, but-"

"Elisif-"

"None of these events give right to ask for-"

"ELISIF!"

The Jarl looked to Tullius, who she could see stood utterly defeated, staring first at her to shut her up, then at Rikke, only to convey his sorrow.

"This letter would have begun a Great War, would it not?" asked Elenwen.

Tullius didn't answer. He said nothing. Elisif couldn't believe how defeated he was. At both of their silences, Rikke spoke up.

"Yes!"

Elenwen looked to the nord woman, a little shocked.

"It would have. Because not one person in this land deserves the cruelty you are placing on them. Not the people in this city that you ripped away from their homes. Not the people anywhere else that are suffering your torment."

Elenwen regarded her for a moment, "wow... I don't think I've heard anyone speak to me like that since... well, since your dead dragonborn."

Rikke took a look of sorrow, but then wore her proud defiance once again, "you didn't end hope when you killed him, elf. You made a martyr. A martyr that I'm just the first to follow."

Tullius couldn't believe what Rikke was saying. He clearly wanted to save her, but the hole she was in was way too deep now. Elenwen though saw the rebel in front of her, and with a motion of her head, her guards dragged her away.

"No, stop! Elenwen!" Tullius tried to argue, to barter for Rikke's life.

"Rebels will be punished, General," whirled Elenwen, "no matter their position."

Tullius watched hopelessly as Rikke was dragged away. But she had no look of sadness, no look of regret or remorse, even though she knew what was coming.

Tullius looked in anger to her, "she won't be executed by a thalmor. If it must happen, I will do it."

"That's quite alright, General. I already have my executioner," she said, and all looked to the Warrior.

~ Whiterun Hold ~

Nero got to the top of the hill and saw the city of Whiterun on the horizon. Nearly there, he thought to himself. He'll get his stuff, get the Companions, and then move on to Castle Volkihar. He rode onward, brushing wet hair out of his face as the rain fell down, just as he felt another pain in his chest. He took out another of Faye's potions and drank it, struggling not to vomit as it went down. It would continue to heal him, finishing the touches on his scar. That wouldn't leave, he'd have that to add to his collection. But he had to be careful not to open it up yet, so he couldn't be too active. That wouldn't be a problem, unless he ran into any thalmor.

Soon enough, he was near one of the surrounding farms of the city, and decided it would be better to go on foot from here, and so he dismounted Arvak who disappeared a moment later, and continued on towards the gates. In the distance though, figures were walking. Guards... no, they were wearing... oh shit!

Nero ducked to behind a mill as he saw Thalmor guards patrolling around the city. There were two mages followed by a few guards, on the road that circle the city. Gods' damn it, he thought, are they all over the city? How do I get inside now? There's no way to...

Nero looked back, and suddenly remembered Helgen...

~ Jorrvaskr ~

"And then the Warrior kicked him off. I didn't know what to do, I stood there like a stump..."

Serana drank some more water that Aela had given her, while she'd sat talking to her.

"That's when the dragon turned up with Jordis. She freed me and held them off while I got away. I wanted her to come with me, I yelled, but..."

Serana took another sip, "and that Warrior, he... he just watched. He didn't care. He didn't care at all..."

Serana finished her drink and Aela put the cup aside before turning back to Serana, trying to find the right words to say.

"There was nothing you could do, Serana. The elves did every dirty thing they could to make sure of that."

"There is something I can do now," she looked up at Aela, "you're willing to help?"

"I am," nodded Aela, "but we can't forget about this baby, Serana. You can't."

Serana nodded, "I know. I know... I don't want to be a mother who's too busy fighting a war," she looked to Aela, "but what choice do I have?"

"Serana, there is always a choice. Of course we won't let hem get away with this, but Nero wouldn't want you risking yours and your child's life over getting back at them."

"He was the one who wanted to avoid this war, Aela. But it cost him is life. I won't lose anything more."

Aela saw the surety in Serana's eyes, and nodded, before the two embraced again.

"Alright then. Let's go see the others. Are you able?"

Serana nodded. She'd finally been able to lean abit. She could stand again.

They went together back upstairs, but stopped when they saw everyone standing around as a group had come into the mead hall. A group clad in elven armour, with the leader clad in thalmor robes. He laid eyes on Serana, and smiled.

~ Helgen ~

Hadvar paced as his men ate their lunch, talking to each other about the news they'd received. Now the word of the next great war was being thrown about, and the men were being taunted by the Stormblades who were all in chains, at least what was left of them, and when they got too roudy the legionairres would shut them up. In the keep, their leader, Delphine, had been sat in chains, not talking or even moving. Just thinking. Finally, Hadvar went inside to talk to her.

"I have to know," he said, "why did you start this? Why have you done all of this?"

Delphine opened her eyes and looked up to him, "because, Captain, I know who our real enemies are. Nero Dragons-bane didn't, and he got stabbed in the back because of it. When are you all going to wake up and see that war is already upon us?"

Hadvar didn't know what to say, but was interrupted by the sound of shouting men outside. He left Delphine to go out into the rain and see what the commotion was. Suddenly, the large gates to the town were pushed open by one man, who walked forth. The eyes of all men around went wide, and murmurs flew about here and there. The man came forth, and Hadvar recognised him from afar, until he was only a few metres away.

"I never have a good day when I come to this town."

Hadvar's words almost caught in his throat, "Nero?"

Nero smiled and nodded, "it's good to see you, Captain."

Hadvar smiled, and the two shook hands, "I can't believe it, you're alive! We heard you'd been killed by the Thalmor."

"Not yet," smiled Nero.

"You mean to fight them?" asked Hadvar.

"Right now, I just need to get into Whiterun, but I noticed thalmor soldiers and mages patrolling the roads, which I would guess means they're guarding the gates too. I need to get in. Can you help me?"

Hadvar regarded that, "help you, how?"

Nero smiled.

~ Solitude ~

Rikke had been stripped of her armour and bound in rope, and stood on the large stage by the city gates. A storm was raining down and seemed to be getting heavier as the day drew on.

A crowd had come after being harassed by all the thalmor in the city. Guards were watching, trying to keep the peace to any extent they could, but were also shocked and watching in horror at their legate being executed. Elenwen stood nearby, with the Ebony Warrior not too far behind her. Rulindil was present also, happy to see the events unfold.

General Tullius had come, and looked at Rikke, who held her head high. Elisif watched also, with her guards protecting her.

"Legate Rikke," began Elenwen, "you have been charged with forging General Tullius' signature and stealing his seal in order to send a letter to Cyrodiil that would spark a horrible conflict between the Empire and the Dominion."

Rikke held her head high, knowing what was coming, but standing by what she'd done.

"With hard evidence and witnesses willing to testify, there is no defense you can possess that can alleviate this crime."

The crowd were shocked, and any who began to speak up were grabbed by the thalmor guards and taken away, so soon enough fearful silence engulfed the town.

"This deed, to begin a war, is the greatest crime against the White Gold Concordot, against peace, that it cannot be met with any mercy," said Elenwen, "and so, I sentence you to death."

Elisif looked to Tullius to do something, but when he saw this, he answered it with a look that only said he could do nothing.

~ Jorrvaskr ~

"Well, this is an expected turn of events," said the thalmor mage in the mead hall, "seize her."

Suddenly, the guards around the room began to move but the Companions acted to stop them. Aela stood in front of the first that came for Serana.

"Move aside, whore," ordered the guard.

"I really don't like that word," said Aela before she grabbed the guard, flipped him over and stomped on his ribs so hard it would be a wonder if any weren't broken.

At this, the other guards unsheathed weapons, and a tension went around the room, to which the leader mage spoke up.

"Now, now, now, let's not be too hasty. This woman you are protecting is a fugitive, a criminal. Defying us would be defying the aldmeri dominion, and defying the aldmeri dominion would be... what would that be exactly?"

The mage looked to Serana, "do you know?"

~ Whiterun gates ~

"Are you sure this will work?" asked Hadvar.

Nero had dressed in imperial armour, and was walking up with a small group to the city. When they approached though, two thalmor guards stopped them, and Nero looked away.

One of the elves spoke up, "halt immediately! No more legionnairres are allowed in at this time!"

"Why would that be?" asked Hadvar.

"What was that?" demanded the guard, "did you just ask me a question?"

Nero's anger built up slowly.

"I'm just curious as to why we're not allowed in," explained Hadvar.

The other guard spoke up, "I'll answer your question, worm. Because we're in charge now, because we control you, and because we're searching this shit heap for the whore wife of the dragonborn. Now turn around and go."

Hadvar didn't know what to do, and turned to leave, when suddenly,

"I'm afraid I have one more question."

The guards looked at each other, before the second spoke up again, "alright, which one of you bastards will we-"

SLICE.

The dragonbone blade slid through his mouth clean through to the other side so fast that no one even saw it move.

"How many of you can I dismember before dinner?"

The other looked so shocked that he barely reached for his sword before Nero cut his leg clean off and he fell to the ground, screaming. Nero wasn't done though, and he grabbed the thalmor's collar and held the tip of his blade to his throat.

"What do you mean my wife?! Is she here?!"

The thalmor gurgled, "she's... we've..."

"SHE'S WHAT?!" the ground rumbled.

The Thalmor died, and after a moment, Nero stood up, still as a statue.

"Nero?" asked Hadvar.

Then Nero kicked one of the elve's swords into his other hand and kicked the gates of the city open.

~ Jorrvaskr ~

Serana threw a magical spell at the mage who blocked it, and the mead hall erupted into fighting. The Companions clashed with the elven guards but the mage went for Serana. Aela blocked him though and bashed his face with a shield. The mage rubbed blood from his nose, before coming back angrier and throwing sparks at the huntress which slowly broke the wood of her shield apart.

Serana stepped in and threw a bolt at the mage, but he blocked it just in time, which gave Aela a chance to strike with her dagger, which cut his arm. She was suddenly swarmed by guards though and the mage kept on Serana, who prepared to defend herself.

"Grab her," ordered the mage, to which the guards around Serana went in to do so.

Serana threw a fireball into one's face and then another, but they grabbed her from behind as she couldn't manouvre so well. Valerica came to her aid and swarmed the others with spells of fire and absorbtion. Jordis cut down more too. They were a strong group though, holding their own.

The mage sent an ice spike that cut Valerica's arm though.

"MOTHER!" cried Serana who went to her, as the mage advanced.

~ Outside ~

Nero heard the fighting outside and made his way up the hill of the city. Thalmor guards here and there he cut down with ease; he didn't care anymore. Up the stairs. Past the Gildergreen. Guards were posted outside. They saw him, and he raised his swords.

~ Upstairs ~

The fighting was pushed outside, and Serana was ready to continue, but a harsh feeling in her stomach suddenly took over. She fell to her knees. Not now. Not NOW!

The mage came forward, a spell of paralysis in his hand ready to cast.

"Why do you fight, whore? We have already won. We killed your precious husband. We are in control now. Why do you keep fighting?!" he demanded.

"I'm a nord," she said, "we're all kinds of stubborn."

He scoffed, "then that is why you will lose."

"WULD NAH KEST!"

Suddenly, an elven sword pierced through his chest, splurting blood out. He gasped, not screaming, and looked down in shock, before slowly turning around to the man that held the sword. Nero stood behind him, a look of rage and anger on his face, blood across him like he'd been a great war all his own.

The mage stuttered, holding his chest as blood poured out, and he fell to his knees, "y... you..."

Nero stopped just in front, "die."

He cut the thalmor's head off with a speed and strength that only rage could provide. Then he stood as the thalmor's body flopped to the ground, and he panted. He looked down at the body, breathing heavily, before he looked up.

Serana, on the ground, laid eyes on him.

Nero laid eyes on her.

A moment of eternal silece passed. Then, Nero dropped his sword.

Serana's eyes filled with tears, and they flung themselves at each other so tightly and strong, feeling like they'd never let go. Serana wept, and Nero held her tighter than he'd ever held her before.

The Companions stood around as husband and wife embraced each other tight and long, not daring to let go again.

"Agh!" Serana held her stomach. Then she looked up, horrified.

"It's-it's coming!"

Nero looked horrified before picking Serana up in his arms, "get a midwife!"

~ Solitude ~

The Warrior looked up to the sky. All others watched him, most of all Elenwen who was waiting for him to move.

"Well, Warrior? Do it," she ordered.

After a moment, the Ebony Warrior looked down, "he is alive."

Elenwen furrowed her eyebrows and people looked at each other.

"What?" she asked.

"The Dragonborn. He is alive."

Elenwen stared in disbelief and a murmur went through the crowd, to which Tullius looked up.

Elenwen shook her head, "I ordered you to execute this prisoner, now do your duty!" she ordered.

The Warrior looked down at her, "he survived."

"NO HE DIDN'T!" she cried, "YOU KILLED HIM AS I ORDERED YOU TO! HE IS DEAD!"

She looked out to the crowd, "the Dragonborn is DEAD! He is NO MORE!"

Then she turned back to the Warrior, "now do as I COMMAND! KILL HER!"

The Warrior looked down at Elenwen and stepped forward, making her back up a bit.

"I have paid you," she said, "I have given you all you wanted."

"This gives you control over me?" he asked.

A deafening silence was moving through the crowd as they watched the Warrior advance on Elenwen. She looked around at her guards, but they seemed reluctant to move.

"No. No! I will not be denied. Not now! You will do as I command!" she ordered, "YOU WILL OBEY ME! NO ONE DEFIES ME!"

She looked him dead in the eye, "YOU WILL OBEY ME!"

Elenwen cried louder than she ever had. The Warrior simply looked down at her. Then he grabbed her throat, and lifted her off the ground. He began strangling her, and she writhed in his hand.

The guards around looked in horror, and all wanted to move, but they knew who he was and what he'd done, and how powerful he was. The crowd watched in horror.

The Warrior looked into Elenwen's eyes as she struggled and tried to get free. She began choking as he tightened his grip.

"Ple-... please-... no-"

She tried grabbing his face but couldn't do anything, and continued writhing. He tightened his grip once more, and she slowly writhed less, and less, and less. Then she stopped, and her arms fell down beside her.

The Warrior breathed out slowly, and dropped her lifeless body to the ground.

Rain continued to fall, while the city was silent as a crypt.