It's been quite a while, and as a One day late Christmas present to those who LIKE the story (I'm not sure how many of you there really are quite honestly..,) I decided to bunker down and complete not 1, but 4 Chapters. 7.5 to 10, a chunk of Kotera's story has now been completed but where did I stop for now? You'll have to read for yourselves.

As we came up to the hill, I look around a place I haven't seen in what felt like years from everything that's happened. "It looks beautiful here…so vibrant and bright where Skyrim is darker, the evergreens don't have anything on this." Time had said as we looked over Cyrodiil. I held back a sob for a moment as I nodded. "Yeah…This is the part of the country I lived, I watched the sunset on this hilltop before I crossed into Skyrim." I had told him as we rode our horses down the path, I could see my house in the clearing, though I didn't see the smoke of the chimney, which was a little odd, but it could just mean my parents weren't home they had probably gone to the market since it was close to noon when we arrived in Cyrodiil. "Hey, want to play a prank on them? We could cover my facemask a bit more and I could be all: I'm sorry to inform you in such a way, but I was told to give you word that your daughter has grown violently ill, we didn't know how she would carry on with her sickness one of the temple women suggested the illness was Homesickness so we brought her here. Then you'd come out from the side and it would be fantastic!" Time had chuckled as we rode down the pathway. "Yeah then you'll have a second funeral because my Mother would bury you. You know how they say there's nothing warmer than a mother's love? Well there's nothing more powerful than a mother's rage." I had told him, it was quiet for a moment before we looked at each other and the two of us started laughing.

I put my hood up and covered my face as we reached the house, I was hesitant at first but then I knocked on the door. No answer, the complete silence was a little chilling so I reached for the door and tried the knob to find the door was locked. "Yeah they're in the town." I had told Time, he let out a sigh of relief. "Yeah you and me both…It's scary when you go to return home and find an empty house but this lock is too complicated for anyone else to have done it, Father designed it special since we live out here. Come on let's go poke around town." I had explained to him so we hopped onto the horses and took the short ride down. "Hold there travelers, what brings you to Bruma?" The guards had said, I just lowered my face cover for a moment. "Visiting my family, if they pass you, don't tell them, I want my visit to be a surprise." I had said covering my face again, the guard just smiled and waved us through as we dismounted our horses. The town was bustling today, it seems the market was full of life but I didn't know what the occasion was, none of our festivals would be happening for another two months.

I saw a few kids sprint past us before I saw a familiar face shaking his fist. "You kids will be the death of me!" Father Ander had shouted not even attempting to give chase. I shook my head and walked over, "Use to be a kid got their butt whooped for silly things like that." I had said trying to change my voice a little keeping my voice covered. "Oh well, kids are kids let them have their fun…" Father Ander had said looking to me for a moment before returning to his flowers. "Garden came in pretty well this year Father Ander." I had said to him and he had stopped moving to look at me. "I've not seen you before stranger; tell me how do you know my name?" He had said looking confused as he rubbed the stubble on his chin. "Well you are a family friend." I had told him, it seemed like it still wasn't clicking in his head just who I was with my face covered. "Oh for Hylia's sake just move your mask…" Time had said aloud making Father Ander double take for a minute before I moved my mask down. The smile from ear to ear on the old man's face would light up the entire chapel if we were inside. "Dear Girl!" He had said pulling me into a hug; I returned the hug putting my head on his shoulder. "It's wonderful to see you too Father Ander even if it is just for a brief visit." I had told him before we broke away. "Come now my girl you're always welcome to visit! Have you seen your parents yet? Divines be good they would be overjoyed to know you're back!" Father Ander exclaimed with a palpable joy.

I put my finger to my lips and winked at him. "Now now, it's a surprise for them I don't want to give away quite yet, I'll be finding them in a few minutes." I had said looking around towards the markets putting my mask back up. "And who is this strapping gentleman traveling with you? You didn't go and get wedded without me to make it official did you now girl?" Father Ander joked getting a laugh out of Time. "No, she's much too young for me I keep her well in line though from being a reckless rascal." Time had joked before I had elbowed him in the gut getting an audible grunt between his laugh. "Okay promise you won't freak out when you see this?" I had asked him, Father Ander nodded and narrowed his eyes for a moment before I reached up to Time's mask, who incidentally didn't want me to touch it by backing away and moving his head laughing. "Just show him damn you!" I had said, he shook his head for a moment before he reached up and took off the mask revealing the undead face of the Draugr he had taken residence in getting a momentary jump from Father Ander before he settled himself again. "I am her protector, a previous incarnation named Link, though I am called Time because every incarnation was named Link. As for how I look like this it's a bit of a long story." Time had said putting his mask on. "That's quite interesting…You'll have to explain it to me sometime my dear, but I shouldn't keep you, go surprise your parents with your return and…Good luck on the rest of your journey, Divines bless the path you walk." Father Ander had said motioning me towards the market.

We walked onto the market while Father Ander returned to his flowers in a bright mood. "You have quite the reputation here it seems." Time had whispered to me I had chuckled at his words. "Yeah well he was a family friend, he had taken care of me since I was little, you can understand how overjoyed he is that even when I left on a journey I still came back alive so far." I had pointed out getting a nod from Time. "Yeah that's a good point, finding out someone you took care of left on a big dangerous journey to another country with but a few scars, I can imagine he was worried." Time had said as we made our way through the markets, there were two faces I was keeping an eye out for but the market place was packed. Time held onto my shoulder as we weaved through the crowds until I finally saw the two I was looking for looking over the fruits and trading their own harvest. I smiled under my mask and crept around behind them.

I knew they hadn't spotted me because they were preoccupied talking at the stand, mother always chatted with the women at the stands while father tried to make himself seem entertained, I remember he once said listening to them talk was like watching chickens clucking at each other. I stood just behind father for a moment just watching them chat before I saw Time scoot through the crowd "I'll take four tomatoes and a head of lettuce please." Time had said, for a moment my father shook his head looking at his pauldron. I knew he'd notice it right away, "Sir, do you know the significance of the symbol on your shoulder?" Father had asked Time who shook his head. "No I don't believe I do, but I gather the girl behind you does." Time had pointed to me, Smart ass. For a moment my father took a long look at my covered face squinting for a second I knew exactly where his eyes were looking. They were the one thing that gave me away, I figured I needed a full mask like Time's to even fool my father but we hadn't come across anything. "What is it Duris?" My mother had asked him holding onto his arm. "Either more than one person has my sapphire eyes or we've got ourselves a homesick visitor." Father had said smiling widely before my mother's eyes went wide and she nearly tackled me over hugging onto my armor. "Oh come on you ratted me out!" I had said to Time while returning my mother's hug. "You're the one just standing there like a scared doe." Time had said shrugging and crossing his arms. I moved my mask and stuck my tongue out at him. "Why are you back so soon? I'm certain it didn't take this fast to finish your quest…" Mother had asked letting me go and looking in my eyes. "It's true I haven't yet finished, but a skill I picked up helps me transport to places I set a marker down so I thought I should make my journey home a little easier on myself." I had told her, she had rolled her eyes and we walked back towards the rear gate.

Father Ander had caught up with us and we walked the horses back up to the house. "You even learned how to ride?" Father had asked me, "With help, should have seen how terrified she was at first!" Time had said from behind us and I lifted my leg back to kick him getting a hearty laugh from the old ghoul. "So where are you headed next after your stop here?" Father had asked, "We head for Morwitijaal, your daughter saw fit to delay us to make this trip since The Red Dagger Flash said it would be a few days until he received word about something we're looking for." Time had mentioned as we reached the house, father had turned the key several times before the door came loose and opened. "Well you can tell us all about your journey inside over some dinner." Father had called from inside as we tied up the horses, I saw Time giving each an apple before he followed behind us.

When I had removed my hood I suddenly felt the slap against my face that nearly knocked me off my feet. I blinked the stars from my eyes before looking to the cross expression of my mother. "OW! What was that for?" I had asked her still trying to focus my vision again. "That was for being reckless and getting yourself hurt by that dragon, you could have died that day and we wouldn't have heard word one about it until the civil war in Skyrim was over!" She shouted at me putting her hands on her hips, if it was possible, you would see the steam coming out of her head. "Ooooo Someone's in trouble!" I heard Time joke making my father nearly spit the drink he was downing with a snort. "You aren't off the hook either! Ugh, you Hylians will make me keel over worrying about you!" Mother scolded before she pulled me into a hug again. "But I am so happy you're alright, does your shoulder still hurt?" She had asked, I just shook my head. "She's a tough one, sprung right back, should have seen her against the silver centurion…Mechanical nightmare was as tall as a tower but with a mighty swing of that hammer we found in that temple she shattered its weapon and drove her sword home into it, I don't believe you have to worry about her as much as you believe, we were all naturally gifted when fighting, that worm got a lucky sucker punch is all." Time had noted, I had gotten another glare from my mother "That's not helping!" I had said to him flinching back a little thinking my mother was going to slap me again. "Well we did hear about the other dragon fight out in where was it Kynesgrove? How you slew the beast by calling to the heavens to bring you a mighty hurricane to have lightning strike the arrow you sunk in its belly!" Father had said raising his horn. "Well the secret is, it was Hylian magic, there's a little instrument called an Ocarina, It was imbued with magic at its creation and a single song can call a furious storm, she played that song and the beast was blinded, then she took a bow that shoots pure light and struck the beasts heart as a blast of lightning met the energy that clipped the dragon's wings and brought it down, I didn't get to see what happened in the crater it left behind but she slid in, and she came out with a smoldering dragon skeleton behind her." Time recounted our fight with Sahloknir the second dragon general in Alduin's brood of dragons. "That sounds like quite the battle…" My father had said leaning forward in his seat, we all sat down while my mother got busy making food.

We talked for a few hours about everything that transpired sparing no detail. "That sounds painful, for an entire dimension to attack your body like that." Father Ander had said as the man sat dignified in his seat. "Yeah had the temple sage told us clearly, I would have never let her step foot inside that portal. On another note, if you notice any Thalmor snooping around town I suggest keeping your heads down. They get a whiff of Hylian and they're bound to start asking questions, Domic has already started stirring up trouble when he raided the embassy while we were sneaking to the same area for clues… I won't get into detail about how we found the people that he dealt with." Time had said cautiously, we talked throughout dinner until it was closer to nightfall. They had a lot to talk about while I walked to my room. I almost collapsed in tears walking into it again; I could collapse onto the bed and sleep forever. I noticed the Hylian books were moved, a lot of them had parchment sticking out of one end or another. I picked one up and looked through; they were notes, or rather questions about several subjects in the books. "We kept your room the same since you left, well aside from cleaning it up every now and then." Mother had said behind me, I turned to face her and she looked relieved for a moment. "I've only been gone a short time but it already feels weird being back home…Those old books about heroes on their journeys really are quite true, they leave home for some big adventure going all sorts of places and when they finally come home it's as if it's a strange place to them." I had said sitting on my bed.

My mother laughed for a moment before sitting next to me and putting her arms around my shoulders in another hug. "Well you're far from done I suppose but I am so glad you're home right now. I almost don't want to let you go again, but I guess that would be unfair wouldn't it?" She had said through a smile, I wasn't sure if it was forced or not but I wasn't going to take it for granted. "If you were Hylian like Father, I'd just bring you along to Skyrim with me and I would ask the light spirits to create a home for you both in New Hyrule…It's beautiful, vibrant, and warm. It feels nothing like Nirn does it's so hard to explain, I hope I could bring you both there someday but I assume as it stands now only Hylians can cross into it." I had told her, we talked for a little while about New Hyrule, I gave her details on how it looked, the beautiful landscape, the warm glow of the sun, even how the temple currently looked. "Hyrule has always been a pristine land My Lady, the attendants of Hylia saw to that during its creation, Din created the land, Nayru brought order to that land creating the sea, the sky, and even the trees, and Farore brought life to Hyrule that would uphold that order. Once done they departed the world and the exact place they left is what created the Triforce what you now seek. It was a tremendous power that those pure of heart could wish upon and see those wishes made true. Granted in My time it was split between the chosen three after Ganondorf first laid his hands on it, but in the end now, all was well." Time had said as he had entered my room with his arms crossed.

Time was leaning against the door frame having taken off the shoulders of his armor. "You seem to be more at ease about us taking a detour." I had told him as I stood back up he had shrugged. "It's not business of mine how you conduct your journey, we're biding our time before we can press on. Be thankful you have the choice in the first place, not many journeys in stories does the hero get to just come home on a regular basis, I too visited home quite often to collect my thoughts, to sit in a room much too small for me using my old bed as a bench. Back then it was a darker time for me, the forest was raided often by the Deku well until I helped my friend become the temple sage of the forest, then they all slinked back in the shadows." Time had recounted his own adventure, he was right, I felt lucky I could come back home to my old bed and just wish things would go back to the way they were.

Mother and I spent time talking normal girl talk. I asked her advice about keeping my house in Whiterun nice and different things I could do with it. I told her about the garden I kept as an experiment to see how Hylian plants would evolve in Nirn. She told me to start assigning different chores around the house to Lydia while I'm away but taking up those chores when I'm home. "Kotera, come here for a moment!" I heard Father call out to me, I got up and we both walked to the main room where Time, Father Ander and my Father were standing. "Show them the sword." Time had motioned, I rolled my eyes and called upon the Master Sword which came to my hand as it was commanded. The surprise nearly knocked them off their feet as they gazed at Hyrule's holy weapon "By the Divines! Kotera, this blade is…" Father had started as he walked closer. "The new blade of evil's bane, well I guess now it's the blade of Dragon's bane." Time had said holding his arm out and stopping him from getting too close.

Father Ander looked to Time quizzically. "Is the blade really that dangerous?" He asked my ancestor getting a glare from the corpse that stood before us. "It's because it's Hyrule's holy weapon that I'm cautious of anyone touching it. No offense meant but not just anyone can touch it or even attempt to hold it, the blade has a mysterious power protecting it that not even I fully understand. An enemy once separated me from the blade and when they picked it up, it turned on them and drained their very life before my eyes. I do not wish that on anyone here, so you can understand my desire to make sure only Kotera holds it." Time had explained, everyone in the room suddenly nodded in synchronized agreement. "Divines…It has a will of its own and it chooses a master to wield it? Was Hyrule such a place that needed such a harsh security measure?" Father Ander had asked and Time had nodded. "Hylia blessed that blade during its creation that the hands of evil could not withstand it and for centuries the blade endured passed down to the hands of each foretold hero. Now that Hyrule is being remade here on Nirn, the cycle has once again been awakened and Hylia has chosen her hero and as my atonement I am to guide her to the day she must return the blade to where it belongs like her ancestors before her however Kotera is the first hero of legend to be a woman, it makes me wonder if the cycle has been twisted in its reawakening in a new world. Is she Hero or Princess?" Time had gone on in his explanation and theory to the captivated wonder of Father Ander who was stuck between looking at him and listening to him, and looking at the sword still in my hand gleaming in the light from the window.

My mother was quick to step up. "Are you suggesting a woman can't be a hero?" She scoffed at him getting a hearty laugh from the old worn hero. "No Ma'am, forgive me I forget you folks don't understand Hylian legend. The cycle of reincarnation was that there were three incarnations The Hero, The Princess, and The Great Evil; Ganon and the Princess haven't appeared it makes me wonder what happened to the curse." Time had said puzzled bringing his hand up to his chin "I wonder if the melding of our worlds had caused the curse to be fragmented like Hyrule currently is?" I had noted, Time nodded and wagged his finger. "It's possible, this land to me is strange and its magic works extremely different, I believe I've told you that magic in Hyrule was a rare thing in Hylians but your people use magic so naturally like it's an inborn talent. My undead body on the physical plain seems to be capable of it as well though it feels more limited, I never relied much on magic before and I won't start now." Time had grumbled and went on and on about some of his own journey. But I noticed how late it was getting and told Time it was probably time to head out again. "Why not stay the night? It'll be cold out there this time of night…" Mother had asked me quickly grabbing my hand "Perhaps waiting out the night would be best, it's safer to travel by daylight…" Time had mentioned rubbing his chin to which mother shot up and agreed.

I just chuckled and went to my room to settle in for the night, Time stood dutifully outside my door like always even though we were in my parent's house. I made the quiet work of setting the marker down right in my room. I'd set one outside in the morning before we left, but I couldn't find myself able to sleep so instead of doing that I decided to look through some of the noted books. Father was driving himself crazy trying to decipher what any of it meant it seemed. Every note was a question or critique about how something should have been handled, it was almost heartwarming until I came upon the note that said "But what does that have to do with my daughter?" It was written pretty heavily and it made me put the book away to leave for him. That gave me the idea and from my unconscious understanding of Hylian I made a key for father to use and placed it on my desk. I decided to leave him a note written in Hylian to test him. "Father, I hope this key makes things easier for your own research…Please don't worry about me, I'll be alright, Time is with me and Domic too I feel like he's tasked himself with protecting me as much as he can even if it's by the shadows. I'm well looked after and I've made plenty of friends in Skyrim. Everything will be okay…I hope this key will help you and maybe it'll be fun we can write coded letters to each other keep the wrong eyes from seeing that I Love You. Your Daughter, Kotera Kilyerd. The Soon To Be Queen Of Hyrule." I had wrote to him and set it on my desk with the key folded inside of it.

In the morning mother had packed us some supplies and she had given me a few books of recipes for cooking. I packed them away and walked back over to them while Time hopped onto his horse. "Thank you for having us…I'll return every now and then I left my marker at the front door and in my room so I'll try to visit when things aren't too crazy up there." I had told them my father just ruffled my hair before pulling my hood over my head. "Just keep yourself alive out there…you have a duty, see to it." Father had told me and I leaned in and hugged them both. "Goodbye for now, I love both of you." I had said and my mother almost didn't let me go. "We love you too sweetheart…Safe travels. You're always welcome to stop by for dinner." She had told me and I nodded before parting with them and climbing onto my horse. "Alright enough with the waterworks…We go to Morwitijaal!" Time had said his horse impatiently stamping. I nodded and we headed off, back to face my destiny.

I struggled where I was going to take this one to make it a solid 10K word count like the other chapters will be, but this may be the Only .5 chapter. Sorry for the short chapter but I make up for it with the next 3!