The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin -Book One Chapter Nine

      The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin

                                                     Chapter Nine

    One clear starry evening by a small campfire, I sat across from Serana talking about the events that had happened in my life up to this moment. She looked kind of pensively at me and asked if she could give me her thoughts on those events and maybe help me make sense of them.

     Iriisii: "Of course, your thoughts are always welcome."

     Serana: "Well then, let us start with 'Rigmor', you still love her very much don't you?"

     I was hesitating in answering her when she smiled and said to me.

     Serana: "Say no more, I see it plainly as your body and soul speak where your voice falters. You are still racked with guilt over denying her love when you sent her back to Bruma to her own destiny.

     Hush, your pain, grief, and ongoing suffering speak to the depths of your heart that she still holds in her hands, though I think she knows it not. You did what you thought was right, and that is all that any of us can do. But take heart, for if the gods brought you together and still hold you to the love you bear for her, you will see her again.

     It is obvious that the gods consider you their champion. Look at how they help you with power and gifts, while others seek to either kill you or subvert you to their will. Your own nature steers you in the direction you wish to go, trust it, but don't let it overpower you or you risk becoming that which you so ardently fight.

     As the one you call Arngeir said, you have been given great power and weapons, how you use them is up to you. I would add that with great power comes great responsibility, and that there is no one else I know of that I would trust with that power and responsibility. Who knows, the very fate of Nirn itself, may reside in the hands of Rigmor and yourself. Perhaps, this is yours and her ultimate destiny, with all before just hard training for the final act of the play. Think on what I have said for a while and we will talk about it again later, for there is much yet to bring from the deep shadows of your mind into the bright light of day."

     As my eyes grew heavy, and my breath evened out, I thought I heard her say.

     Serana: "Sleep now, and know that I will watch over you even as your mother and father watch over you from the stars shining from Aetherius."

                                                             *

     It has been a month since the conversation by the campfire. We are just outside of Raven Rock at an abandoned cabin. Serana looks at me in an intense way and says in a concerned voice.

     Serana: "I am worried about you. You have been so quiet since we left Septimus' Outpost and sailed here. Is it true what you told the captain to get him to return here? That some robed cultists have been trying to kill you in the name of this Miraak fellow."

     I sat down in a chair to get comfortable, as I had some explaining to do.

     Iriisii: "Yes, but that is not the reason for my silence. Please know that it has nothing to do with you or anything you have done or said. But rather, it has a great deal to do with me and just what in the name of the gods, I have gotten myself into."

     She replied again concernedly, "You know that you can talk to me. After all, we have been through, you know I will not judge you!"

     Iriisii replied, "You are right, of course. I should have said something earlier, but I really had not gotten a grip on where my thoughts were taking me."

     She sat across from me, waiting patiently for me to enlighten her.

     Iriisii: "You heard what I told that slimy mass of 'floating eyes and tentacles' in the doorway of the Dwemer Lockbox?"

     Serana quietly and with a slight smile, "Yes, and I have never been more proud of you than when I heard you call him a monster and that you would never be his champion. But somehow I think he is at the bottom of what has had a grip on you since then. Am I not right?"

     Iriisii hesitated a moment.

     Iriisii: "Yes you are right. When I found that Oblivion cursed Black Book and read it."

     Serana interrupted, "I knew it! I saw you seem to fade when I would look at you from the corner of my eye, but when I looked straight at you, nothing was wrong."

     In a trembling voice, Iriisii replied, "I found myself in his realm of 'Apocrypha'. He told me my defiance of him was but an illusion as I had entered his realm of my own free will. He told me to peruse all of the knowledge stored there and that if I wished to go back, I had but to read the book again, but that he would see me again since no one could deny the lure of all that forbidden knowledge."

     Serana got up and came over to me, wrapped her arms around me.

     Serana: "You do not have to face him alone. You have me and the other gods who have supported you along this path of yours. You have only hinted at those who you have aided and gained support from. Will you tell me now?"

     I looked at her eyes, with tears welling up.

     Serana: "You are thinking of her again, are you not? Shhh, I know we will never be together and I have resigned myself to this. But we can and forever will be friends, and know I will never forsake you!"

     I replied to her, needing to share this burden.

     Iriisii: "Yes, you do deserve to know where I stand in the eyes of the gods. I am 'Champion of Boethiah' and 'Champion of Azura', as well as, 'Champion of Meridia'. Kyne has declared me her 'Thunderchild' and Alessia calls me her 'Dragonchild'. I have Mara's favor as a 'Knight of Evermore' and as you know, I am anointed of Akatosh as 'Dragonborn'. I stand against Molag Bal, Mehrunes Dagon, Namira, Mephala, and Herma Mora as the Skaal call him."

     Serana thought quietly for a few moments and said with a chuckle.

     Serana: "My, you have been a busy little Dragonborn haven't you? That is quite a list, although there are a few names missing."

     Iriisii: "Just give me a little more time and we will see about the rest. But what really worries me are the ones we don't know of. The ones who went apart when the Aedra and Daedra were formed. I can sense one out there watching, waiting, for what I do not know and that worries me."

     Serana: "We will run across that one when we will. You have enough to deal with as it is now."

     Iriisii: "You are right, but the crux of all this is, with all of this power, these weapons I wield. Will I become someone who is remembered as a great hero, someone who never faltered to help those in need, or will I fall and become the worst kind of tyrant?"

     Serana: "Only you can decide that, one day at a time, one battle at a time. But I have faith in you, even if you do not see it in yourself as yet. And I pray to the gods that she sees it in you as well. You deserve someone to stand with you during the difficult times. Yes, I know you feel that your destinies are entwined with each other, and that may very well be so. But if the two of you do not love and support each other, then you are destined for a life of pain and misery if you go back to her and you deserve so much more. Just take things one day at a time, and handle each adventure and task separately from the others. If the gods decide you should go back, then they will inform you when they think you are ready and needed. Until then, we still have Miraak to deal with as well as those thrice-damned Black Books. Hey, just how many of them have you found and read? And don't you even dare to think about changing the subject either!"

                                                              *

      Iriisii and Serana walked down into the Retching Netch, rented a room for the night, then sat down at a table with some of the house sujamma. Serana immediately started worrying about Iriisii. She has been as distant as the moons since they cleared out that half-destroyed home south of Raven Rock.

     She thinks, 'It is not like anything really awful happened that could cause this reaction. Sure we had to kill a couple of ash spawn as we got close, then found that trapdoor down in the cellar. I did hear some strange sounds from down underground, but nothing that could not be explained by the volcanic activity of Red Mountain in the distance. But she did read a journal left behind and a letter, a couple of Reavers were having fun mocking the writer for what he wrote. I think he was the body we found further in the tunnel after we killed the Reavers. Gods, I have gotten to hate them with a passion.

     Wait! The journal and letter! Her silence and reticence started after she read them. Damn, she has downed three bottles of that sujamma already! If I do not get her away from the bar and into the room to sleep this off they are going to have to change the name of this place from 'The Retching Netch' to The Retching Dragonborn.'

     Serana: "Iriisii, please come away from there and let us go to our room for the night. You need sleep and if you get sick from that Sujamma, you will be retching all night. Please come with me, love."

     Iriisii: "I...need...one...more."

     And staggers to her feet, reaching for the last bottle and missing so badly Serana can barely catch her in time. 

     Serana: "What in the Gods' names has gotten into you! I know you can hold your booze better than this!"

     Iriisii: "You...would...not...und", and falls to the floor, tears starting to leak from her eyes.

     Serana looks at her strangely. Thinking, 'This is serious. I have got to get her to bed and now before she really makes an assclown of herself.'

     Serana girds herself in case Iriisii decides to retch all over her before she can get her to bed. Somehow, even with Iriisii trying to make a scene by grabbing at that last bottle on the way by, Serana manages to hoist her onto her shoulder gently so as to not rock the 'shaking ship' and taking a firm grip of her legs, moves through the raucous crowd demanding for her to put Iriisii back down. Somehow she manages to get her to the room and kicks the door shut loudly as if she was telling the crowd to mind their own damn business, a thought crept through her mind about how it felt to hold Iriisii's legs in her hands. 

     Serana mutters, 'Damn, not now, not ever. As much as I want to, I can not act on it. It would destroy the fragile friendship that we have built before we even get the chance to strengthen it.'

     But that nagging thought will not go away, even as she pushes it further and further into the back of her mind.

     Serana: 'What is driving this thing, better to not think about that. Right now she needs me to be clear-headed, the very last thing I need is to fall 'head over heels' for her. Come on Serana, get a grip on yourself, you know the story, she belongs to her not you.'

     As she gets Iriisii into bed, she takes just a momentary advantage of Iriisii's drunken state to ask her about the journal and the letter.

     Iriisii: "It is about...two men...who love each other. One in Skyrim trying...to convince the other...to leave Solstheim...and come to him in Solitude."

     Serana thinks, 'Ah crap!! This refrain all over again, what will it take to put a stop to it finally. I do not know how much more I can stand seeing her in such pain. And all of you, GODS, it is your fault for keeping them apart!! Why must she endure such cruelty, what did she do but fall in love!'

     Serana asks Iriisii: "What about them? Did either the letter or journal say what happened?"

     Iriisii: "No...the one named, Hroldulf, kept hearing sounds...in the night from...below the ground. Bought tools...from Raven Rock and started...digging. You saw what he found."

     Serana: "But the body was not his, it was his lover who had come looking for him and found the Reavers instead. Damn, but I wish I could bring them back just to kill them all over again for what they did."

     Iriisii: "Hroldulf...already dead...ash spawn."

     Serana: "You mean the ash spawn killed him, then somehow he came back as one of them?"

     Iriisii: "Yes."

     Iriisii motions for Serana to come close to her then moves like she was going to say something. As Serana moves close, Iriisii wraps her arms around her and kisses Serana. At first totally shocked, Serana starts to give in to the drunken but still intimate kiss. Then she catches herself and gently unwraps Iriisii's arms from around her.

     Serana: "You know this can not happen, you will regret it when you wake up sober and I can not live knowing I caused you so much pain."

     Iriisii: "Please...I need you...so lonely", tears leaking from her eyes.

     Serana looks at Iriisii crying, lifts her head, and silently shouts to the Gods, 'WHY?!!! What could you want that is worth this?!!! Can you not see what she is going through?!! This is all on you!!'

     Then Serana hears a sultry whisper in her ear.

     Dibella: "I hear you, my daughter. I wish I could give you an answer, but it is not yet time to reveal what is to come. What I can do is give you surcease, a memory of what could be, to carry with you for the rest of your life, come what may. Iriisii will share in the memory, but she will see someone else, yet it will ease her heart's distress, and your memory will bear you through the troubling times ahead until you find your heart's desire and no longer need its help. Is this acceptable to you?"

     Serana: "Why do this for me?"

     Dibella: "You mean why would I care for what a 'Daughter of Coldharbor' feels?"

     Serana: "Yes."

     Dibella: "For whatever reason, you are feeling emotions of love and passion as strong as any mortals' have ever felt. This stirs me and I will not ignore it. That you can feel this way, tells me that perhaps one day, perhaps this day, love will find you and break the chains that hold you to Molag Bal. It is my fervent wish that you know the pleasures that true love can evoke in you, and this can only happen when your chains are broken.

     You are closer to that point than any other vampire that has existed. You have a chance to forge a path to a new understanding of what mortal love can mean to them. Not all will accept this or be interested, but some will, and for them as well as you, I would see this happen. Will you accept my help?"

     Tears of a deep pink slide down Serana's face as she considers the offer Dibella has made to her. Then she thinks,' Now I must decide, the time to act is now, do I trust Dibella or not?'

     Serana: "Yes, I accept your help. I called and challenged, and you answered. It is on me now, and I say yes, I want what you are willing to give to us."

     Dibella smiles, "You will not regret this, I promise you. You do not have to become an adherent to me. So turn to Iriisii, and give her what she asks of you. Give her your love and your passion, and I will guide you in making the memory for the both of you."

     Serana turns to Iriisii and sees the most heartfelt desire reflected in her eyes. Fingertips leave trails of seeming flame as they trace paths along their bodies, lingering on any place that draws the pleasure of a sigh or a moan. Tender lips followed those trails, the sensations leaping up aflame with a fire that had been banked for too long and almost died. Yet now fed anew with a strength that defies the coldness, every moment seared into their minds, their hearts. Their emotions evoke the memory of a timeless love, that has waited for so long to find open arms.

     They lay together, exhausted, nothing held back, no part of each other unexplored, untouched, untasted. Serana feels Dibella urging her to complete the pact before regret creeps back into Iriisii's mind and tries to poison what has transpired to bring them together. Serana places a hand against Iriisii's face opposite her and as Iriisii turns her face to kiss the hand, Serana licks the edge of Iriisii's ear, moving down her neck slowly. Then as gently as she can, her fangs pierce Iriisii's neck. She draws only a mouthful of blood, yet even that small amount is able to set Serana's body aflame with power, then Dibella guides her by changing Iriisii's memory of that night so that she remembers it as a dream in which she was not with Serana but with Rigmor. And the true dream of what happened between them is seared forever in Serana's memory. There for her to replay when she needs to remind herself that indeed it did happen.

     Dibella: "Keep this memory alive and in your heart. There may, just may, come a time when it can be made real for the two of you."

     Serana: "But how she is destined for another!"

     Dibella: "The Paths of Destiny hold many secrets, not the least of which is what comes after her work is done, or even what may lie beyond, outside of Nirn and Mundus. Twists and turns are even now, because of this night, making their way down the Streams of Time, strengthening some paths, weakening others. And the works of those who stand outside are also making their way down the Streams. I can say no more but hold fast to what you feel for her and if the proper paths are trodden you will have a chance once more to share in her life."

     Serana: "How can I know which paths are the right ones?"

     Dibella: "You cannot, but hold to your faith in her, in your dreams of her. The strength of your belief can work wonders untold now because of this night. I must go now, remember that the strength of your faith and belief can carry you to where you want to be."

     Dibella fades back into Aetherius, where an irate Akatosh waits for her.

     Akatosh: "And what do you think you are doing? Is it not enough that I must deal with the others watching my every move to bring Iriisii to where I need her to be."

     Dibella: "You saw what was happening, and you know I was right to do as I did. Serana was right in her accusation, what did Iriisii do to deserve the torture you have inflicted on her?"

     Akatosh: "You know why this path must be taken, and she is the only one that can see it through."

     Dibella: "And yet you feel nothing for her after she is done with your work. Once the torch is passed to Kintyra, Iriisii is just to be cast aside as all the previous ones have been? I think not! There are far more deeper reserves to her, her place is not restricted to Nirn and Mundus now and you know it, yet you say nothing!"

     Akatosh: "And how do you know what goes on 'outside'?"

     Dibella: "I know that if the greater problem is not dealt with, your 'Golden Plan' will never see completion. You think something like that can be hidden! We have eyes to see, and ears to hear. We can read the ripples in the Void just as well as you can. It is not too difficult to see your machinations if you just know 'where' and 'when' to look.

     Why do you think Talos and Alessia have not come looking for you to string your guts across the heavens for what you are doing to their daughter? And yes, I know you spoke to them about making her a 'Dragonchild', but you did not see what was coming after that, did you? You made waves when you set her on your path, waves that were seen by another, whose need was far greater than yours. At least she had the grace to allow your plan to move onward while she prepared her own. Yes, I know what happened and why. It is the only reason you have not had a full-scale rebellion going on around you. And if you are not careful, it may still happen. So walk carefully from here on, for she will go where you cannot. And she will one day have authority over you, so if you want to stay in your cozy position here, you should make an effort to stay in her good graces and not give her reason to replace you!"

     Akatosh mutters, "I hate it when she is right."

                                                                *

     Serana: "Are you ok, Dragonborn? Is Miraak finally dead this time? I just cannot seem to wrap my mind around this, the first Dragonborn fighting the last Dragonborn in a fight to the death! Anyway, I have been thinking about what you said to me before about what direction your power and abilities will take you. And I want you to know."

     Iriisii starts to get up and move away from Serana.

     Serana: "STOP, sit back down now. You are going to listen to me. I refuse to allow you to wallow in this quagmire. Look, I know about your Aasimar nature to fight 'Evil' wherever you find it, I understand how it drives you. I have seen it first hand, remember, all we went through to defeat the plans my father had made to implement that prophecy, 'The Tyranny of the Sun', even to have to kill him to make sure it never came about. But you are not losing control of yourself, you did not kill me when you first learned I was a vampire as many others would have without a second thought.

     I know just how ruthless you can be, but you temper that ruthlessness with more pure compassion than I have ever seen in anyone else. I have seen you give your last septim to beggars and dispossessed farmers along the roads as we travel, and you do this with no hesitation. I have seen you give so much of yourself to help ordinary people time and time again, with no thought toward yourself.

     These are not the kinds of things a tyrant or an Aasimar Fallen would do. You do not seek more power and knowledge just to have more, you do it to be able to help the people and the 'just' rulers keep going in the face of insurmountable odds. You will take a 'stand' when no one else will and fight if it is called for, but fighting is not your first choice. You are the strongest dragon killer Tamriel has seen in centuries, but I saw you defy the 'Blades' when they told you Parthurnax had to die.

     I saw you summon Durnevir from the 'Soul Cairn' realm just to let him feel again what it was to fly in Tamriel's skies once more. You do not kill dragons unless they make themselves a threat. I have laid beside you in the nights, holding you close as the nightmares ripped you apart in your dreams. I have listened to your cries of pain and suffering when you thought I was asleep and would not hear. I know not what plagues you in the deep nights but you never let it control or affect any task you set out to do. All of this makes you the best person suited to wield the power of a Dragonborn.

     You did not ask to have it, you did not pray to the gods to give it to you. You accepted that the gods gifted it to you, and you are moving down the path to use it for the purpose the gods gave it to you for. And if it is the will of the gods that I must ultimately lose you to another, then so be it. Just remember this, if ever Rigmor turns you away and tells you to leave her, know that I will be there to help you put yourself back together. For you are too important to me and to Tamriel, to lose you over one woman's shortsightedness. I am not saying that she will, in fact, turn you away. It is simply something that could happen. And if it does, I will be there for you, I promise this by all that I hold dear. May I lose everything if I break this promise! Now go over to that Inn and get yourself a mug of mead, you deserve a drink for listening to me. Go on, I will be here when you are done."

                                                             *

     Two months later, Miraak is dead, the Dragonborn has just returned to Dragon's Nest from Whiterun after receiving word that a messenger was trying to locate her. Iriisii enters the house and locates Serana out back of the school, behind the private quarters, relaxing in the hot pool with a couple of baskets of lavender flowers dumped into the hot water.

     Iriisii: "There you are, I have been looking all over for you."

     Serana: "Just relaxing, I have never known how good it could feel to soak in a hot pool. Do you like the smell of the flowers? Uh oh, something is up, I know that look on your face."

     Iriisii doesn't say anything, just hands Serana the letter Sethri delivered to her in the Bannered Mare. After reading the letter Serana quietly speaks.

     Serana: "You do not have to worry about my reaction, Iriisii. We have already discussed this. We knew that sooner or later this would come for you."

     Iriisii: "I know but it still doesn't sit well with me."

     Serana: "Shhhh, I know you are conflicted, but you must go and see to this. If you did not and things went badly for her, you would never forgive yourself. I know I would rather have you here with me but when have we ever had things go the way we wanted? Besides if I am reading between the lines correctly, the gods have their fingers all over these events. This is but the start of something bigger than any of us can imagine."

     Iriisii hangs her head down to hide the tears welling up in her eyes. Serana comes over and takes Iriisii in her arms, gently laying a kiss on the top of her head.

     Serana: "You must go, there is no denying the clarion call of the gods. If you return to me then you return to me, if not then it is not meant to be. I have said to you before that no matter what, I would always be your friend and would never forsake you, this does not change that in the least. Now go and do what the gods call you to do, and if you need my help then just shout my name on the winds, Kyne will bear your words to me, and I will come. Take care, Iriisii, my Dragonborn, for as much as I need you, Tamriel needs you more in this time of turmoil. The gods watch over you or they will answer to me!

     I can see the question burning in your eyes. She is taking this very much too calmly. No other woman would be willing to sacrifice so much just on the words in a letter from the past. So before you ask, let me tell you that this is indeed the hardest, most painful decision I have ever had to make, even more painful than deciding my father had to die. You know but sometimes forget I was sealed away for millennia, in all that time I dreamed. I do not remember what I dreamed about, but some parts of those dreams have stayed with me from all that time ago.

     The truest meaning that I feel within me about those dreams is that I would one day have to make a decision that would hold the fates and futures of millions in my hands and in my heart. I did not understand what that decision would mean or entail, but now I do. I make this decision to send you away from me and back to her because it is the right thing to do. And this is one of those times when I must do the right thing, even if I risk everything I hold dear to me in doing it. I have seen you do this time and time again, now can I do any less and hold my head proudly when the time comes when I stand before the gods to receive what they have promised me for this? And no, I will not tell you what they promised, it is for me and me alone to carry. As the Gods will it, so it will be! Now please go, while I still have the strength to let you go and know again that should you need me, I will be there to aid you even with my life."

                                                                 *

     I am finally doing it. I am going to Bruma. What will be the final cost to me? As I look out over this windswept, snowy landscape, I cannot help but feel lost and alone. I have left one behind who so obviously wants, needs, and loves me, but who is willing to let me go to fulfill whatever destiny the Gods have in store for me. It has taken me too long to realize just how much I want and need her, but I cannot love her until I find the one from my past. The one called Rigmor, and see if there is still any love there in her for me to rekindle. Will it be strong enough to burn away what I feel for Serana?

     If it is not, will I be able to return to Serana and make a life with her? Or will I end up losing both? These questions whirl round and round in my mind as I trudge onward through the snow. Suddenly, I black out and slide off my horse into a cold snow drift. As I awaken, I look around in wonder at the green fields of grass and flowers, the warm sun shining down, and the cool breeze blowing across the land. The turmoil in my mind returns and grows ever stronger. I drop to my knees, bowing my head down to the soft grass in agony. Then a quiet whisper of a song seems to drift along with the winds, calling me to listen. I can just make out the words as if they reach me from a distant voice.

     

     Times have changed and times are strange

     Here I come, but I ain't the same

     My Love, I'm coming home

     Times gone by seems to be

     You couldn't have been a better friend to me

     My Love, I'm coming home

     You took me in and you drove me out

     Yeah, you had me hypnotized

     Lost and found and turned around

     By the fire in your eyes

     You made me cry, you told me lies

     But, I can't stand to say goodbye

     My Love, I'm coming home

     I could be right, I could be wrong

     It hurts so bad, it's been so long

     My Love, I'm coming home

     Selfish love yeah we're both alone

     The ride before the fall yeah

     But I'm gonna take this heart of mine

     I just got to have it all

     I've seen your face a hundred times

     Every day we've been apart

     I don't care about the sunshine, yeah

     Cause My Love, My Love, I'm coming home

     The pain in my head seems to subside, as I start to raise my head up, I see an arm reach down to help me, and then a voice I have heard in my dreams a thousand times says to me, "My Dragonborn, you came for me at last!"

     I looked up into her face, not believing it could really be her.

     Iriisii: "Am I dreaming? Rigmor, is it really you, here in wherever this place is?"

     Rigmor: "We must be sharing this dream, for I am in the Cathedral of Akatosh, praying for an answer to a question I have asked a thousand times since you sent me away. Where is my Dragonborn? When will she come for me? I have been told to tell you that I will not remember this dream when I awake and that you must not say anything about it to me when we meet."

     Dragonborn: "But why?"

     Rigmor: "This is the way it must be. There is a road you will have to travel, and there will be pitfalls on all sides to be traversed, but I know you can do this. The gods promise you, your heart's deepest desire is for you to succeed. I must go now, remember that I will not and can not know of this dream. It is for you and you alone. But before I go, thank you for coming home to me!"

     I start to call out her name and awaken in the cold snow drift. I drag myself to my feet and drape my hands over the back of my horse. I raise my head to the dark windy skies and exclaim.

     Iriisii: "Just what have I gone and gotten myself into now!"

     Then a low subtle voice whispers to me on the winds.

     Serana's voice, "You know what you need to do. You are the Dragonborn, the Right Hand of the Gods. Go and do what they need you to do. Then we will live with whatever comes our way for good or ill."

     I climb back up on my horse and together we continue on our way to Bruma. To what I have no idea, but I know this much. I will let nothing and no one, stop me from fulfilling my task and to see just what the Gods see in the deepest parts of my heart.

                                                             * 

     I left Rigmor with Kintyra in Bruma, telling her I needed to go to Skyrim to talk to the Jarls about officially rejoining the Empire. I said that I thought they would be the easiest to convince of all the former provinces once I explained what we were all up against in four years. What I did not say was that while I was near Whiterun speaking to Jarl Balgruuf, I was going to stop in at Dragon's Nest. I needed and was equally dreading speaking to Serana, and explaining to her what had happened to me in the time I had been away. I was standing at the door to Dragon's Nest, trying hard to open the door and not turn and walk away. My hand was shaking badly the closer it got to the door.

     Suddenly the door opened and I was enfolded by a pair of strong arms. My eyes were closed so I did not realize who was hugging me until I heard her voice call out, "Mama, you're home!! I have missed you so much!!"

     Iriisii: "Lucia", I sobbed, "my daughter, I have missed you so terribly. You are nearly as tall as I am now, but why are you here and not at Breezehome?"

     Lucia: "About a month ago, some strange men came by asking for you. Something about them seemed not right, but I simply told them that I had not seen you in just over a year. Lydia confirmed this after she told them she was your housecarl. They believed us, even though we were not lying, I felt it was safe to say what I did."

     Iriisii: "Indeed, you were right to say just what you did and no more. Have you by chance heard any of the news from Cyrodiil?"

     Lucia: "No I haven't, anyway all we get is rumors and stories. Travelers have been saying that there is much turmoil and uproar going on all over down there, but no one seems to know just what is actually happening. You went back down that way when you left, do you know anything about it?"

     Iriisii: "Actually yes, I do, but it will need to wait until later after I have had a chance to relax. I have been all over Skyrim for the last few weeks. By the way, how did you know to come here after that surprise visit spooked you."

     I almost fainted when another set of arms wrapped themselves around me from behind and a soft voice whispered in my ear.

     Serana: "I went and got her after I heard she had a visit from some Thalmor agents looking for you. Lydia would not leave your house, saying it was her duty to look after your house and everything in it. More importantly, you do not have to worry about me. I know all that happened to you, as well as why it happened. You should have called for me after hearing about Morag Bal, I could have protected you better than anyone else from her."

     She must have felt my tears falling on her arms because I heard her say to Lucia.

     Serana: "Lucia, go and make sure the children are ok. It sounds awfully quiet over there at the school. I will take good care of your mother until you return."

     Lucia: "Mama?"

     Iriisii: "Go ahead Lucia, Serana is an old friend who has been on several adventures with me. When you get back maybe she will tell you about some of them, you could learn a great deal from her before you start going out with me."

     Lucia: "Ok Mama, I will be back soon. Don't you go anywhere until then?"

     Iriisii: "All right. I will be here when you return, I promise."

     Serana leads me inside, up the stairs, and into my bedroom, where she sits down next to me on the bed. Wrapping her arms around me again as tears continue to fall.

     Serana: "Now we have some privacy to talk."

     Iriisii: "How could you have heard all that has been happening in Cyrodiil. All that seems to be coming out of there is rumor and innuendo."

     Serana: "I have my ways, but really from several sources. The 'wind' has spoken your name quite frequently. I also heard your voice in a rainstorm some time back. But none made sense until a dark-haired woman in a white gown appeared before me about 3 months ago and told me all that had happened to you. At first, I was bewildered at everything, moving from concern to hurt to anguish when I felt you at death's door. She would not say who she was, only that I should ask you when I saw you again.

     But she did go on and explained about the prophecies and your place in them, I then understood what had happened and more importantly why it happened. Please know that I understand now that we really had no chance of a future together and I hold you to no blame for your actions. She truly loves you and has given you something that I could not, notwithstanding your new responsibilities. I can think of no one better to sit on the 'Ruby Throne' and do what needs to be done to secure the future of us all.

     That you came back to find me and tell me 'face to face', says I was right to trust you, even to think I could 'fall in love with you', for you have as much integrity as you do compassion to not shirk the difficult choices."

     Iriisii: "Thank you, for I was scared and dreading how you might react to all of the news."

     Serana: "To be honest, I wasn't certain I was going to be here when you came back, I too was scared to see you again. I did not know how I would be when I beheld you in the doorway. Then I saw your tears and knew then the pain you had overcome to return and look for me. I then thought, could I do any less and live with myself after. Oh, I almost forgot, the 'woman in white' said for me to ask you about someone..called .. 'Casius'. She said to ask you if you thought I should meet him or something like that."

     I smiled and said, "His name is Casius Varon, he fought with me and Yngol Storm-Blade at the 'Battle of Whiterun', against the 'New World Order' before I opened your tomb at Dimhollow Crypt. At the time, he was a Commander in the Legion under General Tullius, but has since resigned and has now accepted a position as Count of Leyawin. A more loyal, generous, and honorable man I have yet to meet." 

     Serana: "Tell me truly, if he is all these things as you say, why had you not already married him?"

     Iriisii: "Honestly, I had already 'fallen for Rigmor' and it was on our wedding day when I finally recognized that he had feelings for me. The only way I could tell was a bit of hesitation in his voice when he woke me to ask for the wedding ring I had acquired for Rigmor. He was to hold the rings for the ceremony after I asked him to stand with me as my 'best man' in the wedding." 

     Lucia: "WHAT WEDDING ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, MAMA?!?!"

     Iriisii: "Come pull up a chair, Lucia, there is a lot to tell you about."

     Lucia: "You got married and didn't send for me?"

     Iriisii: "Lucia, it was a very hurried ceremony and there was an extraordinary amount of extenuating circumstances involved."

     Lucia: "What could have been so extenuating, that you couldn't send for me?!?"

     Serana: "This is going to be good, don't let me interfere, please continue."

     Iriisii: "Well...we had just finished battling all the way up to the gates of the Imperial City, close your mouth before a fly drops into it, and we stopped to see if the Emperor would sue for peace."

     Lucia: "Who is we in this, you haven't said anything about anyone else?"

     Iriisii: "Rigmor Ragnarsdottir, Countess of the County of Bruma. Anyway, we went to the throne room the next morning, just Rigmor and I, to meet with the Emperor and Lord Chancellor Blackwell to discuss peace terms. The Emperor, Ariel Sethius, tried to incite his Imperial Guard to execute us, but Lord Blackwell ordered them to stand down. The Emperor kept trying but the Guards simply stood their ground. By now, the Emperor was requesting 'quarter' from us, when Rigmor took sick and threw up against one of the columns. I went to her to help her and that was when the Emperor struck at me with his hidden dagger. I felt his blade slide across my armor and I then reacted by drawing my sword, defending myself and Rigmor. I took him down with my sword parting his head from his shoulders. I turned to Rigmor, who had stood back up, she looked at Sethius, then at me, and then motioned me to speak with Lord Blackwell down at the bottom of the steps. As I walked down, I could hear the Guard shouting, 'Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin', over and over.

     Once I reached Lord Blackwell, he said, "Your Majesty, please take your rightful place and sit upon the 'Seat of Sundered Kings', you, as the 'Last Dragonborn' are the rightful heir and Empress of Cyrodiil and the Empire by 'Right of Combat', as well as 'Anointed of Akatosh'."

     Lucia: "By the GODS, you..are..the..new...Empress the staff are talking about. The one married to the new High Queen of Cyrodiil!!!!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I am. And furthermore, you have a new Dragonborn Princess for a baby sister!"

     Lucia: "What!?!? A baby sister?? When?? Where is she? When can I meet her?"

     Iriisii: "Hold on Lucia, all in good time. I guess now is as good a time as any to ask you something very important, this is also for you, Serana. I would like for both of you to come back with me to Cyrodiil. There have already been two attempts on Kintyra's life. Someone paid the Morag Tong for a 'Grey Writ' against her. The first attempt was at the Roxey Inn by Lake Rumare south of Bruma. I killed 4 assassins just as we were entering the Inn for something to eat.

     After this, Rigmor took to cramps. After she got her wind and wits back, we decided to return to Bruma. As we rode up to the castle, the cramps began again. I got her back inside the keep when her water broke. Her mother Sigunn and Cerys, her lady-in-waiting, rushed to her and took her up to her bed chamber. I had the Captain of the Guard lockdown the Keep and I ran into Sethri on my way to Rigmor.

     He informed me of what information Lord Blackwell relayed to him about the 'Grey Writ'. I informed him they had already tried at the Roxey Inn when he said that they had no choice but to continue trying. Their top assassin, a Tang Mo called the Mute, had the writ and he would be using an artifact, called the 'Ring of Khajiit' to open a portal directly to wherever Rigmor was. He told me that he would assist Sigunn and Cerys with the birth and that I needed to stand guard over all of them. Also when 'The Mute' would open the portal, Azura would use it from her realm to send healing energy to Rigmor. This could be the only way Rigmor would survive the birth.

     Since Alessia, millennia ago, no other mortal woman has survived the birth of a 'Dragonchild'. I killed 2 teams of 4 assassins each before 'The Mute' made his appearance. When the portal opened, I sensed the healing energy flowing to Rigmor. Thank Azura, I then placed myself just as 'The Mute' became visible and took his head off of his shoulders. No one fucks with my family and lives, I told his body as it hit the floor. Anyway, I do not think the attempts will stop. Too many enemies are scared of what I might do sitting on the throne and they want me gone. They know they cannot kill me, so they will try to kill Kintyra and Rigmor to get to me. I have to see to the Empire and as good as the Legion is, they are not good enough to stand up to some of the other top assassins and mercenaries that are for hire.

     I know your skills are good enough, Lucia, I trained you to be the best, and Serana, I have seen firsthand how well you can handle yourself. I will personally forge and enchant weapons and armor for each of you. And they will be strong enough to make even the gods jealous."

     Serana: "Of course, we will go back with you. You would do the same for either of us if we asked it of you. But I get the feeling there is more you know or think about that you have not said."

     Iriisii: "Serana, you know me too well. Yes, I have been thinking about the 'Lady in White'. I believe she is Alessia, who led the slave rebellion against the Ayleids and founded the first Empire. It is nothing definite, but you know I remember almost nothing of my life before Helgen."

     Serana: "Yes, it has been a great mystery to me how you could have forgotten so completely."

     Iriisii: "Well there have been many strange and wonderous things I have seen and experienced since then. And taking it all together has made me think that just maybe, Alessia may in fact be my mother."

     Shock could be seen on Serana's face, Lucia was a bit concerned but had not yet understood just what her adopted mother's words meant.

     Serana: "If that is so, and since you are in fact, Dragonborn, that means your father must be...by all the gods...Talos!! And that could make you..." 

     Iriisii: "No!!, do not say it out loud, not yet anyway. I do not want to chance that anyone might overhear and spread that kind of rumor. The effects could be devastating right now! My main concern must be bending all of my efforts to reforging the Empire if we are to survive a Tsaesci invasion."

     Serana: "Tsaesci!!".

     Serana spits the words out as if to clear a foul taste from her mouth, "They are not fit to even walk the same ground as everyone else! I thought the 'Tiger King' had done away with all of them by now."

     Iriisii: "Obviously not, but now that you mention that, it is just possible that the war in Akavir is not going so well for them and that is fueling their efforts to come across to Tamriel. I also have heard some news that confirms that thought from some recent 'Ashen' recruits to the 'Sirens'."

     Serana: "I have heard of them, but I do not know much about them, they are very secretive in their objectives."

     Iriisii: "I can tell you a lot more, but it will have to wait, suffice it to say, I am their new lead commander. And though they are very well trained, not mercenary but not military either, something in between. I have begun revising their training and tactical skills to turn them into a shock guerrilla fighting brigade. They can be far more effective as a special auxiliary unit fighting around the legion rather than directly with them. In fact, if I can spare her, there is one of them I trust enough to add her with the two of you into a bodyguard unit. Her name is Lilith and her skillset is every bit the equal of yours. Not to mention, we owe each other for having saved each other's life at Sky's Divide."

     Serana: "Sky's Divide, where in the blazes is that?"

     Iriisii: "I am sorry, that information is far too dangerous to tell anyone and I do mean anyone, who does not already know about that place! I doubt even the Psijic order knows about it. If their High Council does know about it, they are keeping it buried deep along with the 'Eye of Magnus', I hope."

     Serana: "What's this about the 'Eye of Magnus'?"

     Iriisii: "Damn, I have been too long without sleep and letting things slip. Just be patient with me and I will explain these things another time. Each of them requires a long story and we really don't have the time to go into them yet. Not to mention you will need to get me almost dead drunk to get the whole story out."

     Serana: "The things that happened to you involving them were that bad, yes?"

     Iriisii: "Just make sure you are really prepared to take on the burden of what you will hear if you wish to hear it all. And remember, sometimes it truly is best if some things are not said. Let us get some sleep, then you need to pack what you want to take with you. It may be a long while before we return this way."

                                              *

     Serana: "Wait, you said that Rigmor was throwing up on one of the columns when the Emperor attacked you!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, that is exactly what happened, what is your question?"

     Serana: "Was Rigmor ill, poisoned, or what?"

     Iriisii: "Uumm, with child, morning sickness."

     Lucia: "MAMA!!! How could you!!!! I don't believe you could do something like that!!!"

     Serana sharply, "Lucia!, calm down, you are a smart girl, think it through!"

     Lucia: "Oh!!, I'm sorry Mama, I wasn't thinking at all just then."

     Iriisii: "It’s all right Lucia, you have had a great deal dumped in your lap so to speak."

     Lucia: "But since the two of you are women, and I know she did not cheat on you or you would not have married her. So how did she become with child?!"

     Serana: "I can think of two possibilities right now, one is sorcery, which I can rule out because the Dragonborn would never resort to that method to get someone else 'with child'. She might do it to get herself 'with child', but not anyone else, even Rigmor! The second and most likely method is, 'Divine Intervention'. How close did I come to getting it right?"

     Iriisii: "You hit square on the second method. We were sneaking along the countryside to meet up with Casius Varon on the border to Hammerfell. He was going to escort me, Rigmor, and Sorella, Yngol and Angi's daughter, to Quintus' Legion encampment on the Brenna River.

     We stopped near a waterfall for a rest break and Rigmor asked me to go with her to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall so she could wash off the road dirt. I went to watch her and her things because there were still some raiders in the area. As we got down close to the water she noticed that there was a shrine to Mara that looked like it had been recently tended to. We walked up to it and she accidentally touched it. It started glowing as these shrines do and then there was a sharp explosion that threw both of us down onto the riverbank.

     I was bleeding and Rigmor asked if I was ok. Of course, I said yes even though I was starting to get a sinking feeling in my stomach. She disrobed and went on into the river while I stood on the bank watching for raiders."

     Lucia: "Did you see any raiders?"

     Iriisii: "No, but I did see an apparition of a priest suddenly appear out of nowhere!"

     Serana and Lucia: "What!?!"

     Iriisii: "I know, it caught me off guard as well. He started talking to me about Rigmor. As we talked back and forth, I was getting angry with his answers and Rigmor was trying to get my attention to join her in the water."

     Serana: "She couldn't see the priest, could she?"

     Iriisii: "No, he was not hidden but she could not see him. We continued to have words and I was close to losing it when Rigmor startled me by feigning trouble in the water. I immediately jumped in to get to her and she admonished me for ignoring her. By then the priest had vanished. We went on and proceeded to the camp. I did not know until later, exactly what happened. We talked about it, and our roles in this grand game the gods are playing, but as I later came to realize, the stakes are the highest that have ever been played for.

     And for our very survival as a world, we must trust that the gods know what they are doing. It goes against every shred of compassion, decency, and integrity I possess, but there is no other choice if mortal kind is to have any kind of life. You see, if we do not win this game, it will be the end of man and mer as anything except food for the undead! And I can not stand aside and let that happen, not for anything. I have fought, bled, and cried for this world too long to simply roll over because I don't like what the gods have done to me and Rigmor! All of the monsters I have fought and defeated to free this world from decadence and injustice. Alduin, Mirak, Molag Bal, Namira, Malacath, Ouroburus, Orphis, Salaquine, and more that I cannot name at the moment. I cannot stand by and watch what will happen if I do nothing just because I am mad at the gods for using me to get Rigmor with a child!

     I have the most daunting of tasks ahead of me, for I must reforge the Empire anew, stronger, prouder, more unified as one than it has ever been before, even from when Alessia first formed it out of the slave rebellion. I am likely going to have to do things that will turn my stomach inside out, but I have no choice in the matter. We either win and live, or we lose and die horribly! And this I promise you both, we will not lose because I did not fight to my last breath, my last drop of Dragonblood for all the people of Tamriel and the Empire!"

     Serana: "I knew it was bad, but this!!! I had no idea it was coming to this, now I can see why the events that have shaped you into what and who you are, have happened. And Rigmor as well, I imagine. May I make a suggestion, that I think no one else would think of?"

     Iriisii: "What did you have in mind?"

     Serana smiles with a wicked grin: "Go see Paarthurnax and tell him what is going on, ask him to talk to the other dragons, they have no love toward the Tsaesci either, for they hunted Dragons along with the Blades as well. Perhaps they would like an opportunity for some payback from the past. If you could broker an agreement that would allow them a place that would be theirs, free from mortal encroachment. Of course, the mortals would have to understand that if they trespass, there would be no help for them from the Empire, they would be on their own. And the dragons would have to understand and agree that any of theirs who crossed the border, killing people or destroying homes, and farms, would be dealt with permanently. If such an agreement could be reached, a flight of dragons, at your command would be worth two, maybe three legions at least."

     Iriisii: "That is an extraordinary idea, the Greybeards will have kittens, but they will just have to suck it up, there is too much at stake. And I will also do whatever I can to shame them into joining as well. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with in their own right. Thank you, Serana, we just might pull this off yet! In light of this idea of yours, it might be time to let the two of you in on a little secret I have."

     Serana: "Just what kind of secret have you been keeping? It had better not be something that is going to come back and bite you because in that case I just might."

     Lucia says nothing, just looks at Iriisii with a seriously questioning look.

     Iriisii: "It is nothing like that, I assure you. Just stand over there so I have a little room. OK, ready?"

     Both Serana and Lucia look at each other, then look at Iriisii and nod.

     Iriisii: "Ok then here goes!"

     The Dragonborn closes her eyes for a few seconds gathering her concentration. Suddenly there is a ripple in the air just in the back of the Dragonborn, as Dragon wings of lambent blue unfurl to fully stretch out from the Dragonborn's shoulders and back. Serana eyes go wide as she takes in the sight just as Lucia faints. Serana catches her and puts her in an oversize chair, then turns to look at the Dragonborn again.

     Serana: "By all the Gods, those are the most gorgeous wings I have ever seen, now I am so jealous. How in all of the world did you manage to get them?.

     Iriisii: "I think they are partly due to the combination of my Aasimar heritage combined with my Dragonsoul heritage. Also, I think they were dormant until I earned Kyne's favor by becoming her 'Thunderchild'. However that is not all, there is a very special gift that came to me with them."

     Serana: "And what pray tell would that be?"

     Iriisii: "To those brave, fearless souls that follow me on my adventures. I can temporarily gift them with wings as well!"

     Serana: "I think I had better sit down as well. Does Rigmor know about this?"

     Iriisii: "No."

     Serana: "Don't you think she should know? She is your partner after all. Wait, that look on your face, there is more involved isn't there."

     Iriisii: "Yes, it has to do with a little sojourn I took some time back to a realm called "Unslaad".

     Serana: "I think you had better tell me what happened to cause that look to cross your face. I haven't seen it in quite some time and yet it was subtly different this time."

     Iriisii: "You really do know me too well. I went to help out a young girl in trouble. She was being hunted by the Blades."

     Serana: "Wait, for the Blades to be hunting her,  that would mean..."

     Iriisii: "Yes, she too was Dragonborn, but wholly untrained. To make this shorter, she was unusual because she really had no idea that she was Dragonborn and that that was the reason the Blades were trying to kill her. In order to help her I was required to make use of some magical time portals. I know what you are going to say, but I could not abandon her without trying to see what could be done for her. Little did I know when I went through and found myself in her future. Serana, she had transformed into a full, completely functional 'female' dragon."

     Serana: "Tell me you are kidding, please tell me you are kidding me."

     Iriisii: "I am not kidding. Even though she was now full-grown, I was too late to save her from the Blades. I did, however, manage to save...her egg!"

     Serana: "Did you just say, her egg!?!"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I took it back through the portal and managed to find a place suitable to allow it to hatch. When it did, the young dragonling morphed into a young girl child that I then took and placed with her now teenage Dragonborn mother. I did not tell her the circumstances of how I got the little girl, I just asked if she would care for her as if she was her sister. But I think you now see my problem."

     Serana: "Yes I do, what if at some time in the future you transform into a female dragon. Gods but that would complicate things enormously!"

     Iriisii: "You see why I cannot tell Rigmor yet. I must know more about this, both for my sake, Rigmor's sake, and Kintyra's sake."

                                                                 *

     I finally made it back to Bruma from my whirlwind trip through Skyrim trying to talk the Jarls into rejoining the Empire. As I ride into Bruma with my party in tow, Rigmor is waiting for me with Kintyra in the area in front of the cathedral. 

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn!!!"

     As Rigmor runs down the hill to greet me as I dismount. I turn just in time to grab her as she slams into me, wrapping me into a hug, that I swear 'Mr. Bear' must have taught her, and kissed me with such fervor that the whole crowd around the area broke into chuckles, as well as a few, "Why don't you ever kiss me like that?" questions in the crowd.

     Iriisii: "I missed you too, and I love you even more."

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, it felt like you would never get back."

     It was then Rigmor noticed I was not alone as she said, "Who are all of these people you brought with you?"

     I motioned Lucia to approach, "Rigmor, meet Lucia, my daughter, she was an orphan in Whiterun when I adopted her and gave her my name, a home, and family."

     Lucia: "My Lady Rigmor, I am very pleased to meet you."

     Rigmor: "Since you are my Dragonborn's adopted daughter, then please call me Mom, then go see Cerys over there and meet your baby sister."

     Next, I motioned Lilith to approach, "Rigmor, meet Lilith, she saved my life when we were with 'Serenity's Sirens' some time ago."

     Lilith: "Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you at last."

     Rigmor: "For saving my Dragonborn's life, the honor is mine, thank you so very much."

     Lastly, I motioned Serana over. "Rigmor, I want you to meet Serana, without her help, the Vampire Lord Harkon would have put out the sun and given the world over to the vampire clans."

     Serana: "Your Majesty, there are no words that express the honor that meeting you holds for me."

     Then she whispered for Rigmor's ears, "There is more to that story that I am sure you would like to hear at your convenience."

     Rigmor then looked at me with a question in her eyes, but instead asked me, "I know you too well by now, there is a reason you brought them with you, now out with it?"

     Iriisii: "I know how much you detest having Blackwell's Legion guards following you everywhere you go, even when you need to take a shit. So I brought a more fitting bodyguard unit for you. There are no better-trained warriors in Tamriel than these three. I trained Lucia myself, so I know she is among the best. Serana and Lilith, I have fought with each of them through some of the toughest situations I have ever faced. I trust them with my life as I trust them with yours and Kintyra's. There are mercenaries and private assassins that could get through the Legion guards, but they will never make it past my 'Trinity Guards'. You know that I will have to make more trips away and I will not have you and Kintyra guarded by any but the best. Not to mention, I am sure, you will enjoy prying more secrets and stories about what I did while we were apart for those four years, for they were with me during most of that time."

     Rigmor: "Oh were they now, I am going to have so much fun getting to know them better. And I do trust your judgment, thank you Dragonborn. My my, it looks like Kintyra likes them as well, she seemed put off by some of the Legion guards. Again, thank you, Dragonborn, now let’s go introduce everybody to my mom and the castle keep staff. I am sure you are all hungry as well."