The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin - Book One Chapter 8/9 Addendum

 The Story of Iriisii Dovahkiin - Book One Chapter 8/9 Addendum

     Iriisii and Rigmor are finally on the path to take Rigmor home to Bruma. Although this is not a joyful moment for Iriisii, considering as she recounts her conversation with Sethri at his farmhouse before leaving with Rigmor for the border crossing.

     Sethri: "Dragonborn, you cannot cross the border with Rigmor. If you do, you will place both of you into mortal danger."

     Iriisii: "But she can cross alone safely? Where is the sense in that?"

     Sethri: "My Mistress tells me that it must be so, you heard the Greybeards reminding you of what you have yet to do? I do not know all that is going on, or what it is leading up to. But there is a plan to it all, and it must be followed or everything falls apart. It is so serious that all of Aetherius is watching for what you do."

     Iriisii: "You know this is going to break her heart, and mine as well. If that happens everything could very well fall apart anyway. What reason is there for me to do anything more if I lose her. I lost Rose because it was the Gods Will, now they want to take Rigmor away as well."

     Sethri: "I know Dragonborn, really I do. But this is bigger than you or I, even with Rose and Rigmor added in. This could spell the end of Mundus, Aetherius, everything. Even if you kept her with you, how long will you have her before it all ends. What would she say if she knew it came about because of her?"

     Iriisii threateningly: "Sethri, that had better be the Gods talking through you, or you might be sporting a new smile if you say another word."

     Iriisii stands and turns to the small firepit. Looking into the dancing flames, trying to find some semblance of hope therein, anything that she can grab onto. For long minutes she stands staring into the flames, then for whatever reason known only to her, she thrusts her hands into the red embers. Sethri tries to leap to his feet, but feels Aetherial hands holding him into his seat. Iriisii does not feel anything from the flames, her eyes are alight with an inner flame to match that of the firepit.

     What she sees, what she feels, what she hears in her inner self, no one else can know. But she does find some kind of answers to her questions. When she pulls her hands from the fire, they are unmarked. But some price has been exacted from deep inside her, as she staggers back to her seat at the table.

     Sethri: "Glory be, Dragonborn, what the hell?"

     Iriisii: "Hell is exactly what I saw, Sethri. They kind of 'hell' that exists in everyone's deepest fears, but never is brought to the surface, never spoken or thought about lest it actually come to pass. But it is what awaits if the Gods plans go awry. And it is our responsibility, no, my responsibility to see that it does not. For the liminal barrier still stands between the Gods and us, and it must continue to stand, weakened though it is."

     Sethri: "Then what can we do, Dragonborn? If the Gods cannot stop what comes."

     Iriisii: "It is why Akatosh sent me here. I am to be not just a Dragonborn hero to set matters right here on Nirn once more, I am his 'Hand' on the rudder of the ship that is Nirn. The choices I make will guide this world either to the safe harbor of his 'plan', or to everlasting damnation until the time of the next Kalpa's beginning. I do not know if I can do this Sethri, not alone."

     Sethri: "You are not alone, Dragonborn. You have many friends you have made, who will stand with you. And many more yet to make who will also stand with you. No, you are not alone. But I also know that is not what you are saying. I am sure there have been allowances made to help you there as well. This is too much for a single person, even a dragonborn to undertake without someone by your side."

     Iriisii: "Then why do they keep taking them away? Why am I left alone just when I find someone? How long must this go on until it stops?"

     Mara whispers: "I hear your pained words, my daughter. There is good reason for this, though it will be a long time before you see it. But you will see it and you will know it had to be that way. I have not forgotten what you did for me in Evermore, the suffering you took upon yourself. It will take time, but the seeds have been sown there for its healing. And so they will have new hope because of you. Now you must do the same upon a greater stage, now Skyrim, then Tamriel, then Nirn itself. 

     And what of beyond Nirn? Our sight is greatly lessened when we try and look. But we do know you are there, and you will not be alone. Your grandfather saw you in his dreams, as you moved onward, not alone. So have hope in that, and faith in his words and mine. You had to be separated from Rigmor for a time, so that you can find those who would stand closest with you when you need that help. Rigmor too, has a special place in what comes, and she must be apart from you for to find that place. The time will come when she will need you once more. So do what you are called to do for Skyrim, and we will send for you when the time comes for you to go to her aid. What happens until then is up to you, go where you will, do what you feel is right, and we will be here for you."

    Iriisii: "Bury your words within me, not too deeply lest I forget, but enough that they will guide me without distracting me from what I must do."

    Mara whispers: "So be it, Dragonborn."

    Sethri: "And with that I think I will retire, if ever you are close by while saving the world and need a place to rest, please do not hesitate to stop by."

    Iriisii: "Only if you have clothes on, I would hate to have to explain to Rigmor why I stayed here and you wore nothing but short pants."

    Sethri: "I understand, Dragonborn. Go with the Gods grace."

     While traveling on the old smuggler's route past the border gate to the crossing itself, Rigmor excited to be going back home to Bruma, has been talking about what she wants to do when she is back. This includes having the Dragonborn beside her. This is causing Iriisii more and more pain, knowing this can never be. Also knowing just as well that once she tells Rigmor she must stay in Skyrim, Rigmor will want to stay with her and that also cannot be. She does not know how she is going to break this to her and keep herself from falling apart as well. 

     Somehow, this situation, this monumental pain, is causing something to wake up inside her  Something she fears she cannot control and so could undo everything she has strived to do up to now. For now all she can do is keep going, tears still falling for each desire that Rigmor wants to do with the Dragonborn once they reach Bruma. And while many of those tears fall frozen to the snow, unseen by any eyes, some remain frozen on Iriisii's face still showing the trace of all those that made their way down until the cold northern winds stopped them.

     Rigmor: "Stop for a moment, please. You have been awfully silent, and not once have you looked back to check on me. Are you all right?"

     Iriisii: "There is the last crossing point, we can stop there for a bit. I have something I must speak to you about, but we can be warm around a fire when we sit and talk."

     Rigmor in a softer, but guarded voice, "Ok, you would tell me if I had done something wrong, would you not?"

     Iriisii: "Yes, I would have already told you if that was the case. And it is not you or anything you have said or done. Let us just get there, out of this wind, and more comfortable, then we can talk more."

     Rigmor: "Okay."

     As they continue on, Rigmor glances down at the path they are following and seeing the moonlight reflecting from something in the snow. As she continues to walk behind Iriisii, she reaches down and picks one up from the snow. It melts and she tastes the droplet of a melted tear. It is salty, with a bitter aftertaste she cannot place, but realizes something is not right as she looks back over her shoulder and sees the trail behind them. Still she waits until they reach the border camp, Iriisii starts a fire while Rigmor readjusts after relieving herself. 

     Sitting by the fire, Rigmor now grows concerned as she watches the frozen tears melt and resume their interrupted trek down Iriisii's face.

     Rigmor: "You said you had something you wanted to talk to me about. I guess it has something to do with all of the tears you have left behind yourself on our way here? You are not coming with me, are you?"

     Iriisii ignores what Rigmor has just said, her guts in turmoil so great even cramps would be a mercy. She just wants to run and hide somewhere while she tries to find a way to fix everything in her mind. And she cannot overcome the feeling of dread that is slowly creeping up on her. Rigmor knows something is wrong, but cannot see what it is. Because of this she just assumes it is something she did or said, even though the fault does not lie with either one of them. It is just that in the eyes of the Gods, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. And the many must be cared for before the few can receive succor and the one receive answers.

     Iriisii finally reveals Rigmor's historical parentage, and as it dawns on her what it means, Iriisii also drops on her the Emperor's wish for Rigmor to take the position of Countess of Bruma. This is more than Rigmor can accept and handle right now, and so she shoves it aside as what she really wants is to know what is causing the severe distress in her lover. Iriisii keeps trying to push Rigmor into accepting her future in Bruma, while Rigmor, headstrong as ever, is growing more resolute not to accept any of it. If Iriisii cannot be with her, then she will be with Iriisii. She decides she will stay with her in Skyrim, for being close to Iriisii is now the most important thing in her life.

     Rigmor forcefully: "No! I will not do it! I will stay here with you!"

     Then softens her tone, "I love you, I love you with all my heart, and it tells me I need to be beside you. I can see what this is doing to you, and I wish I could make your pain go away. But it will not go with me if I go on to Bruma, and that would break me to know I left you in such distress."

     Iriisii cannot take it anymore, and breaks down into a sobbing mess. Rigmor moves to her side and wraps her arms around Iriisii. Adding her own tears to Iriisii's falling into the snow. Another voice comes from Iriisii addressing Rigmor.

     Darkstar: "I know you have never heard me before, and if not for the severity of what Iriisii is experiencing, I would not otherwise be speaking. Your feelings for her, and your strength of will do you credit. And you have earned my respect, which is not an easy or simple thing to earn. There is much concerning this matter that has been kept from you for good reason. And no, Iriisii is not the one keeping it from you, for much more has also been kept from her regarding her own destiny as well as yours. I am not at liberty to reveal all to you, to do so would imperil the Divine's plan for the future of Nirn, your own included.

     Without going into the details, I can give you this much. You have a place in what will become this world's future, and it is a very grand and desirable future. Provided that you relent your current desire to stay with Iriisii in Skyrim, the Divine's would be willing, should you ask at the proper time, to change your destiny within that future. As it is now, you would remain in Cyrodiil after Iriisii is called forth to accept the place being made for her. What that place is, I cannot say. Too much said can change it, and not for the better.

     But what the Divine's would do, is to be willing to change their plans for Nirn, just enough to allow you to go with Iriisii when she accepts her future destiny. And no, I cannot speak to what her destiny is, save to say she would be far better able to deal with it with you at her side. After that the future of you both will be in your hands to make. I know this does not say a great deal, but it is the best that I can do without risking both your lives, and if Iriisii loses her life, mine is lost as well.

     The road ahead, whether you stay or go is not easy, but the future rewards if you go, will be far, far greater than if you stay. Make no mistake, the challenges will be many and difficult, but the two of you can do this and reap the rewards. You will both become pillars that others will look at and wish to become like you will be. Your stories, will be the guides by which many more than you could imagine, will mold their lives by. And when the final ending comes, you can look back over your lives and say, what remains is better because we made it so. The decision is yours to make, do as you feel right."

     Rigmor asks who is it that just spoke to her, but all she hears is Iriisii's continued sobbing. So she sits, with her arms around her love, trying as best she can to comfort her. Slowly Iriisii comes back to herself, not knowing of the previous conversation, just knowing that it is Rigmor holding her, sharing her pain, and trying to share with her a measure of comfort and peace.

     Iriisii voice trembling, "I cannot do more than I already have, if you wish to stay with me then I will welcome you with open arms. Let what comes, come in its own time, I will have you beside me and with that I can face anything."

     Rigmor looks thunderstruck, what is she to do now, after arguing so vehemently to stay with her, then being told why she must go, what hangs in the balance of her decision, only to have the rug pulled out from under her by Iriisii giving in to her. Then she thinks to herself that there is no other way but to throw it out there.

     Rigmor: "I am going on to Bruma."

     Seeing the look of absolute shock on Iriisii's face, still mingled with the pain and anguish surging underneath, she gives Iriisii her reasons for changing her mind.

     Rigmor: "If it were just to be me, I would stay. But it is many more than just me to be affected by my decision. If you can be strong enough to stay and do what you must here in Skyrim, then I must do as you are and be strong enough to do what I must and go to Bruma. But I ask, no, demand one thing from you."

     Iriisii: "Name it."

     Rigmor: "Take care of what you must then come for me, whether we stay in Cyrodiil, or come back to live in Skyrim. I just want it to be the two of us, together, wherever we go."

     Iriisii: "You know it will be when the Gods decide and not me, if it comes to it they will see me kept busy until that time and not relent until they are ready for me to leave Skyrim. But if you really need me, send for me by courier and I will not stop until you are in my arms again."

     Rigmor: "I guess under the circumstances that is the best I am going to get, just do not let it wait too long. You can tell them that for me, that if they expect me to fulfil my part in this plan of theirs they had better make sure you are with me. So give me a kiss to go with me, and I can remember what it feels like while you are gone."

     Iriisii reaches out and pulls Rigmor to her, their kiss is full of promise and longing, such that it almost undoes everything. But they both know they have to go through with their decisions now. Iriisii stuffs her pain away deep inside, while she watches Rigmor walk down the hillside to the gate into Cyrodiil. Just as she almost loses sight of her, she hears Rigmor's voice echoing back, "Dragonborn! I..Love..You!"

     Iriisii whispers to the winds, "I love you, too."

     Then she remains standing at the top of the hill, watching and hoping to see Rigmor running back to her. And when she has to finally admit that she is gone, everything comes crashing down on top of her, as something deep within her wakes up in response, stirs, and comes forward to express its displeasure with what Iriisii has been put through. Who, what it is, even Shivista, Darkstar, and Iriisii's Dragon Soul do not know or can even imagine. But they do know it is powerful, for it swept them aside on its rise as if they were nothing.

     It looks around with Iriisii's eyes, looking for the source of the pain. As it sees nothing, it reads from her recent thoughts what the problem is. Someone close to Iriisii is not here, and that is what it now wants to correct. When that observation comes forth Shivista takes it upon herself to step up.

     Shivista: "NO! You cannot bring Rigmor back here, even if it is what Iriisii wants. Too much depends upon that they each follow the path before them even if they must part for a time."

     Shadowseid: "And who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do? Her pain is my pain, we are now and have forever been linked together, far longer than you have existed. Old as you are, you are not even a child next to me in age."

     Shivista: "Then who are you and how could you come to be linked to her for so long? She is a scant twenty-four years."

     Shadowseid: "She is far older than that I am afraid. I see her from her very beginning. She was there, at the very dawn of this Existence. I witnessed her watching as it came about, when the Ageless Ones sang the 'Charm of Creation'. She saw as he who is the 'Void', whom you call Sithis, fought the new creation, splintering it into an infinity. The Ageless Ones recognized her presence and spoke to her. Then they decided to give to her the power to one day, long into the future, undo what Sithis wrought, and merge the infinite Omniverse back into what was first intended. And perhaps set her feet at that time unto the path to join with them."

     Shivista: "How can this be? I have been with her since her birth and I know she has been nowhere else but here on Nirn."

     Shadowseid: "And yet here I am, having knowledge of what transpired so long ago, merged with her by the power of the Ageless Ones. For I am the power given unto her to undo the Creation of this Existence, and begin it anew as it should have been. Sleeping have I been ever since my birth within her, only now to awaken because of what she has suffered. All I am depends on her, the choices she makes, the actions she does, the path she undertakes, and so I must look to her welfare. You are a part of that and I will not harm you, but I can imprison you here in her mind should you take a stand against me."

     And with that he returns to looking out with her eyes. Somewhere inside of her, her pain, misery, anguish, everything that had been building since she knew she had to let Rigmor go, became a flood that she could no longer hold back. And it raged through her, seeking any way it could find to escape. Shadowseid read the emotions in that flood and reacted to what it said to him.

     Shadowseid: "G'i'l".

     A wind blows in from the frozen north and begins circling Iriisii, stronger and stronger it blows. It picks up the snow around her, dead leaves, twigs. As it expands its reach, the snow on the sides of the mountain pass trembles and lets go, forming an avalanche that races down toward her from both sides. The snow and debris is caught by the circling winds and sent skyward. As the heavier pieces drop back down they are gathered up once more and sent aloft.

     The twisting tower of winds keeps growing stronger, and still stronger. Rocks are pulled from the very ground and there in the distance the form of a man approaches at a sedate pace, even as the ground he covers increases with each step. In almost no passing of time he is standing on the edge of the whirling winds looking at Iriisii. He glances at the debris laden winds circling her, whispers a word, and steps through them. The debris seems to glide around him as he passes through to stand in front of her and address the one inside he sees as the cause of this disturbance.

     Avatar of Akatosh: "Do you not feel you have done enough to make your displeasure known?"

     Shadowseid: "What do you mean? I seek to ease her pain, bring peace to her troubled soul."

     Avatar of Akatosh: "And this is how you would do that? By destroying all that she loves and has known her entire life?"

     Shadowseid: "This should not be happening. This is not what I intended when I 'spoke'."

     Avatar of Akatosh: "I see. You awoke too early and too quickly. Too soon for you to understand the effects of what you can do would have in this Existence. I know you mean well for her, this speaks strongly on your behalf. But you cannot remain awake, the damage you could do without understanding what can happen if you act impulsively again, would be beyond disastrous for both this Existence and the one you once called home. There is much knowledge you have yet to gain, and this will come in time as she gains that knowledge.

     What she is experiencing is needed. She must be forged in the fires of pain, tempered in the crucible of anguish, to survive and do what will be expected of her all too soon. For too much rides upon her decisions and actions, but there is no one else who can do it. Time is far too short now, and it moves forward despite what we would like. For although they call me the God of Time, there is much I dare not do, no, the best I can do is nudge it here and there, use my servants to mend my mistakes as best they can.

     You will be one of her best and closest allies in what she will face, but it must be in the proper time and place. That time is not now, and that place is not here. You will know when and where when all aligns. So go back to sleep and dream of the help you will be to my daughter, when the proper moment arrives for you."

     As Shadowseid retreats back into the deepest depths of Iriisii's mind, Akatosh speaks a 'word' and the circling winds disperse. the load of debris they carry, he sends back out across the pass, making it look like the avalanche caused it. All the while he has caught her as she collapses again, and he gently holds her in his arms. Silently grieving over what he has to put her through, he does not notice another gliding across the snow toward them.

     Avatar of Kyne: "Have you not done enough to screw up her life?! Because of you, she does not have a life to call her own! Her pain mounts with each day, each loss, each encounter. When will it stop?! For does she not deserve better? If this is the best that we can do, do we deserve her faith in us? Instead as you keep mucking with her life, all that will happen is that one day she turns on us, on you specifically, and then what will you do? Send Alduin to destroy this Kalpa and start the next one? Oh, I forgot, Alduin is on his own now, following his own path. And what of Bormahu? Have you been able to keep him under control, how is that going? Keeping him locked up in that tower out in the Sea of Ghosts. Not to mention that idiotic idea you had when you built that forsaken thing in the first place, I will never know."

     Avatar of Akatosh: "Are you finished, yet?"

     Avatar of Kyne: "No, I am not! I am just getting started! You know we are little fish in a huge sea of hungry sharks and you seem to think you can swim with them with impunity! All you are going to do is get us all devoured and when what is left of us gets passed, what will happen tp us? I understand there is a place for those that happens to and it is not a place of rest and forgetfulness! And let us not forget your going and making agreements with those Gods and Goddesses outside. Yes I know about that, along with half of Aetherius."

     Avatar of Akatosh: "And what would you have me do? Sit around, twiddle my thumbs and wait for everything to come crashing down around us? At least 'someone' saw what was happening and is trying to set it right. Is it my fault the only 'agent' that she could find that stood a chance just happens to be one I was grooming to be the greatest Dragonborn to ever be! I needed one stronger than any of the previous ones because the troubles coming are greater than all the previous ones. I did not seek 'her' out, 'she' came looking for me. And when 'she' explained everything, I knew I had to take a stand with her, and hope we could do enough in time.

     Do you think I enjoy watching what my daughter is going through? Who do you think I really am, Molag Bal? The rest of you will find out the true stakes in due time. Then we will see if the songs you all sing change their chords. There is too much happening on too many fronts, and so someone is needed who can call the others out there to battle, who can form an army capable of taking on what is coming, who can bring 'balance' back before it is too late. For if she cannot do it, there will be nothing left to salvage, nothing left to begin again with, there will be literally 'nothing' left!"

     Avatar of Kyne: "This is why you are willing to sacrifice one who has sacrificed all she is on your altar?! And the only thing you have given her of worth is being Dragonborn?"

     Kyne's avatar looks closely at Iriisii, seeing all that she is. She then looks scathingly at Akatosh's avatar.

     Avatar of Kyne: "It looks like to me that 'She' has at least done what 'She' could do to help Iriisii. And she replaced that decrepit old Drago soul you gave her with one worthy of the task you say she must do. But who is it that lies sleeping so deep within her? He is not a part of this Existence, but strangely has ties to it. Ties that will allow him to manifest his full power and abilities when he wakes.

     Hmmm, 'She' has taken over your grooming of her to say the least. 'She' is preparing Iriisii to go beyond us, how I cannot see at the moment. I think it relies on future events to bring it about, but the seeds are there. You will need to tread carefully with her now. She will begin to truly blossom soon and what she may become...by Oblivion!"

     Avatar of Akatosh: "What do you see?!"

     Avatar of Kyne: "You would never understand. I am not certain that I understand, but I see something I can do to help her."

     The avatar of Kyne reaches out and places a hand against Iriisii's heart and the other against her neck.

     Avatar of Kyne: "I, Kyne, Goddess of the Hunt, the Winds, and the Rain, acknowledge thee Iriisii Dovahkiin as my Thunderchild."

     Her voice changes, becoming like millions speaking as one, "Use this knowledge, embrace it, learn all that you can of it, and push the boundaries beyond what has been believed possible. On that day, let Existence itself declare you 'Stormdragón', wielder of the deepest magics of the 'Speech of Dragons'. Grasp the power of your inheritance, the power of Soulfire and the roar of Darkfire. Bring them together within you, command them with your unbridled voice, and unleash them against the most dire of your enemies. Let those who stand against you, be they Kings, Demons, Angels, or Gods be cast down before your feet. Tread upon their bodies, feel their blood go cold at your touch, their voices go silent as yours rips through them, their lives dwindle away as you consume them.

     Then go on to your final destiny, when life itself has left Existence, the stars grow dark and cold. When your road takes you into the 'beyond', turn and listen, grasp the chance, and sing the charm. Send your blessing to the next life to come, then step into the unknown, and tread the path to those who called to you in the beginning of all things, they who stand with arms outstretched to welcome you into their midst."

     Another ancient voice then speaks, "Let these words now be written into the 'Scrolls of the Eternal', by the 'Hand' of the 'Lost Prophet'. May this child of the 'Ageless Ones' find the destiny written here and so the story of her life never end."

     A slender rod of the purest crystal manifests in Iriisii's right hand. Its purity is such that it is almost invisible, as the light passes through it unabated. The avatar of Akatosh looks at it with mixed emotions, not truly wanting to know what just occurred, but knowing that he must if only to help his daughter set her feet on the path this represents. He looks to the avatar of Kyne to ask of her.

     Avatar of Akatosh: "Do you know where those words came from?"

     Avatar of Kyne: "What do you mean? I gave her the gift of being my Thunderchild, what other words do you mean?"

     Avatar of Akatosh: "You do not remember? The words you spoke in a far different voice. Then an ancient voice called out and commanded that what you said be recorded in the 'Scrolls of the Eternal', then I saw that rod in her right hand appear."

    Avatar of Kyne: "I have no idea of what you are talking about. If this is your way of avoiding this conversation..."

    Avatar of Akatosh: "No it is not. I guess you were not yet meant to hear what was said. I think I need to consult with the Kel about this, they may know more, if they are willing to disclose what if anything they know about this."