The Guardian and the Traitor

A purple bubble soon trapped Miraak. He looked to notice the three glowing horns in the room keeping him subdued in this bubble like magic shield. Instead of retaliating, Miraak took instead studied the magic barrier, setting his hand on it, causing it to zap him. Using the spell Lightning Bolt, he struck the shield and the shield absorbed the blast and flickered. "Ahh...a type of ward spell..." He said. "Interesting."

"You....you speak our language?" One of the beings said.

"I do it seems." Miraak said. "Can you let me out?"

"How do we know you wont attack us?" The Purple one said.

"I have no intention to attack any of you...I have no idea where I am even at." He said.

"If you quell your magic we'll let you go, and answer any questions you have." Miraak stared at them quietly for a brief moment, the magic around his hands soon dissipated.

"So be it." He said. "Release me..." Soon the magic barrier died down, and as promised, Miraak held back his magic.

"What...are you?" The Purple one asked.

"I would ask the same of you and your companions...." Miraak said. He began to walk around Twilight, he was much taller than any of them, save the Orange one who seemed on par with his height. "Hmm...you all seem to be a race of sentient, bipedal Ungulates with only few features that seem like my peoples females would have, save your coats, ears, and elongated faces, and a species my people use as beasts of burden, they are called horses."

"Well we're called Ponies, or Equestrians. Now back to my question, what are you?" She asked. Miraak continued to study her and the others.

"Your name...pony, what is it?" He asked, stopping to look he in the face.

"Twilight, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria and element of Magic." She said. "My friends are Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer, and Spike." He looks at Spike, feeling rather disturbed by Miraak's creepy mask, Spike looked away.

"You are rather small for a Dov aren't you?" He said.

"Dov?" Starlight asked.

"My peoples name for Dragon. My name is Miraak." He said. "What is this land I am in?" He asked walking over to the large circular table and looking at its map.

"Its called Equestria. We're here in Ponyville, Canterlot is our capitol." She pointed to the city built onto the mountain. "Rainbow and I found you. You fell from a glowing cloud formation, you were hurt pretty bad, lots of cuts from trees and branches, and a larger wound on your chest, not from the trees. Do you remember anything before you came here?" Miraak studied the map of Equestria, he then looked at the tears in his robes and then looked at Twilight.

"All I remember...is dying." Miraak said bluntly. Twilight didn't say anything.

"You...died?" The one called Apple Jack asked.

"That is all I remember." He replied. "I was killed by my.....former master, and now I'm here."

"Where did you come from?" The one named Starlight asked.

"Apocrypha, the realm of Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric prince of fate and knowledge. A horrid place, the walls and structures are made solely from degraded books and scrolls, lakes of green and black bile surround each structure like a moat, teeming with Seekers and Lurkers." He said.

"Sounds horrible." The one called Rarity said.

"You said the entire structures were made from degraded books and scrolls?" Twilight asked with a bit of curiosity.

"Yes, his Seekers gather books daily for his Collection of Knowledge, I was trapped there for centuries with only books to occupy myself." He said. He could see Twilight get a little giddy at the sound of it. "But I was born in a place called Keizaal, on the continent of Taazokaan, many years ago."

"Your m-mask is scary.." The one called Fluttershy said hiding behind one of her friends.

"And your robes are rather......drab darling, and quite tattered, I could fix it if you wouldn't mind, or find you something new." Rarity asked. Miraak didn't think about it, he looked down at his tattered robes and then looked at her.

"How very kind of you." He said. "I suppose my attire should be repaired, though my mask is staying with me."

"This place....Apocrypha, its a endless hoard of knowledge?" Twilight asked.

"You do not want to go there, Princess." Miraak said. "It is a place you do not want to journey to."

"Do you like reading?" She asked.

"I was trapped in a world for centuries with books to keep me company, so yes...I have found reading, quite enjoyable." He said. Upon saying these words Twilight nearly jumped in joy. Miraak simply watched in confusion.

"You should have said something else..." Rainbow Dash said.

"Now she won't stop talkin' about it." Apple Jack said. "Good luck." She and Fluttershy walked away.

"Now, Miraak. If you would be so kindly as to follow me please." Twilight asked. Miraak simply nodded, as she began to walk down the hall he followed with Rarity, Spike, Starlight, Pinkie, and Rainbow following. She opened two large doors to reveal a large library with several book shelves full of books and scrolls.

"Quite....Impressive. Though nothing compared to Apocrypha's vast catacombs." He said, she simply frowned. "But...I'll consider reading some while I'm here."

"Oh and I was wondering." She said. Miraak turned to face her. "That magic you were using, could you teach me some?"

"My spells? I will consider it, but a Thu'um is something much more different and complicated." He said, walking over to one of the shelves.

"Thu'um?" Starlight asked.

"The Voice, words of power, Shouts. Only a select few can use them in my world, Myself and the other Dragonborn's of Nirn." He said.

"Dragonborn?" Twilight asked.

"Its...a long story, I'll explain another time." He said. "If my attire is going to get repaired I will seclude myself to the quarters you have given me."

"I...Suppose that'll be fine, Spike will bring food up to you if you want, and more books. Speaking of which what kind of books do you prefer?" Twilight asked, taking out a pen and paper. "I have all types, Romance novels, comedies, History, science, Magi-"

"Anything revolving around this worlds History, magic, and its people." Miraak said, cutting her off. "Anything that has alchemy as well."

"Alright, Spike can you take our guest back to his room?" Spike looked at Miraak, Miraak simply stared quietly back. Spike gulped.

"Uh....sure Twilight.." He said, a bit concerned. "Follow me." Miraak doesn't say anything and follows Spike back to his room.

On the way to the guest room, Spike looked at Miraak. "So...there are Dragons where your from?"

"Yes." Miraak replied.

"Are they big?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Can they talk like me?"

"Yes." After a moment to think about the question Spike looked at him and asked.

"Soooo....what does a Dragonborn....do?" Spike asked. "What makes you so special?" Miraak new Spike would regret asking that.

"If you wish to know, we tear out the souls of defeated Dragons and devour them to become more powerful ourselves." Spike turned ghostly pale and stopped dead in his tracks and stared silently and fearfully at Miraak. "Don't worry, I have no intention on taking your soul, I'm not even sure if it'll work on this worlds Dragons. Though I would like to see....." Spikes heart began to race, he then backed up slightly, turn around and quickly walked down the hallway. Miraak chuckled behind his mask, he turned and entered his room.

***Nirn***

Tye sat quietly at the table, staring into the horn of mead Rayya had given him. Teldryn, Ralis, and Rayya chatted away, talking about old adventures throughout Tamriel. Frea sat at his side, her armor replaced by a nice green Tunic. "Are you well?" She asked. "You have been silent since Miraak." He took a long drink from the horn.

"Its nothing Frea." He said Bluntly. "I am fine."

"No your not." She said. "You've been distant, what did Miraak do to you?" Tyr sighed.

"I thought of....many ways of persuading Miraak to stray away from conflict. To surrender to me, he wouldn't have listened. In the end, I was forced to kill him." Tyr said.

"You had no choice, Miraak sought power more than peace. Many would think you did what was right." She said.

"I know but-" He was cut off by a horrid screech coming from outside the hall. Everyone stopped chatting and sat in silence.

"What in the name of Azura was that?" Ralis asked, standing up and unsheathing his elven sword. Tyr stood up and unsheathed his sword, Teldryn, Rayya, and Frea did the same. The creature screeched once again.

"Something must've stepped in a trap." Rayya said. "I set up a few Bear traps this morning."

"Lets go see what we caught then." Tyr said, he set his sword back into its sheath and walked over to a chest, he opened it and took out two lanterns, and three crossbows. He put a quiver of steel bolts on his belt and lit the two lanterns. "Rayya, Frea, and Ralis will go in one group and look around, Teldryn and I will travel and search near the lake."

"Lets get this done." Teldryn said, taking a crossbow. Frea and Ralis took the lanterns when they exited the hall while Tyr used the spell Magelight to illuminate the area around him.

Another scream or screech broke the night time silence. It seemed to sound closer as he moved, he took out a bolt and set it in the crossbow, a click was heard after it was loaded. Without warning an arrow flew right passed Tyr's face and into a tree. "Hide!" Teldryn said quietly. Tyr his behind a tree while Teldryn crouched behind a stump. "That arrow look familiar to you?" He whispered.

Tyr looked at the tree, he didn't want to alert the creature by moving so he used the Alteration Spell Telekinesis to pull the arrow over to him. He grabbed the arrow once it was close and looked at it. The shaft was hard like a shell and its head was shaped like a claw. The arrow was made from the massive insect native to Skyrim's cave systems known as a Chaurus. "Whats a Falmer doing out here?" Tyr said quietly. "The closest hive is near Whiterun." He moved a branch quietly to the side, in the darkness he could see the Falmer's silhouette, pulling at its leg and shrieking painfully as it was stuck in the iron jaws of the bear trap.

In a way, Tyr pitied these vile creatures. He knew they were once a race of Elves that lived in Skyrim before the Nords arrived, he knew the location of the last one, he was named Gelebor. He pointed the crossbow at the Falmer, it squirmed in the trap. Tyr sighed and set the crossbow down. "What in Oblivion are you doing?" Teldryn asked confusingly.

"Getting rid of it." Tyr said. "Do you know the spell paralyze?"

"I do."

"Good, use it after I shout." Tyr said, he stepped out of cover, his footsteps alerting the Falmer, causing it to pick up its bow, knock an arrow, draw, and loose it at Tyr. It missed again. "Gol...Hah Dov!" Tyr shouted. The shout, hitting the Falmer in mid knock, causing it to lower its bow. A green ball of Magic impacted the Falmer in the side and caused it to lock up and fall over. Alerted by the shout, the others soon ran to Tyr.

Tye quickly disarmed the bear trap and taking out the Falmer's mangled foot. "Fetch me a rope, quickly before it awakes." He said. Rayya quickly ran back towards the hall. Ralis grabbed the Falmer's bow, quiver of arrows, its sword, and its bag.

"Azura's name....The vile thing smells like a rotting corpse." Ralis said.

"What is it?" Frea asked.

"Its a Falmer, a race of Elves." Tyr said. "Well not anymore."

"They used to be called Snow Elves, before the Nords arived in Skyrim and the Dwemer enslaving them." Teldyn said. "Go into a Dwemer ruin here in Skyrim and you'll see hundreds of these things."

"Poor creature." Frea said. "What will you do with it?" She asked Tyr. Rayya soon returned with the rope.

"There is a cage in the basement, It will surely die if its wound isn't treated." He said, taking the rope and binding the Falmer's arms and legs and placing a gag in its mouth. He picked up the creature in his arms. "Then I'll take it to the Vale."

"To think the Falmer are loosely related to the Dunmer sends shivers down my spine..." Teldryn said. "Imagine if the Dwarves did this with the Altmer, or even the Bosmer."

"Or the Orsimer." Ralis said. "A Falmer version of an Orc is a terrifying thought."

"Come on you two, we need to get back before it wakes." Tyr said. "I'll go to Whiterun tomorrow and buy a cart to take it to the Vale, I'll see if Kharjo will join us, he's supposed to be in Whiterun."

"The basement will smell vile after this..." Ralis said.

***Equestria***

Miraak sat quietly in a chair, reading a book. His second day in Equestria was the same as the first, learning about the people. The pony Rarity had returned his robes cleaned and stitched up, which he had kindly thanked her for, something he hadn't done for some time either. His mask was set aside on a nightstand, letting his shoulder length dirty blonde hair flow freely.

The book he was reading was about the history of Equestria and a study of Equestrian anatomy, the four tribes they were composed of, and their cousins the Zebras and Donkeys. This species intrigued him, only two could use magic in this world unlike......well everyone back on Nirn. Only Unicorns and Alicorns, and it seemed there are only female Alicorns in this worlds existence. The kingdom of Equestria was one of several in this world, and to his dismay the Equestrians are all vegetarians, and he wasn't.

Before he could read more on the subject of magic someone knocked on his door, he marked the page and set the book aside, grabbing his mask and putting it back on. He walked over to the door and opened it to see Twilight standing there. "Princess. Do you need something from me?"

"Not me. The Princesses are here to see you." She said. "Oh and...what'd you say to Spike, he seems to be....off around you."

"I noticed, how odd. I was known to have that impression on people, especially the Dov" Miraak said, quietly chuckling under his breath, Twilight didn't hear him, she simply turned around and beckoned him to follow. "Who wishes to speak to me?"

"The Princesses, I've told them of your arrival." She said. "Oh and my brother is here."

"You have a sibling?" He asked.

"Yes, my older brother. His name is Shinning Armor, he is married to one of the Princesses." She explained. They soon entered Twilight's council room, there Miraak saw three female Alicorns. One was larger than he was, she was about seven feet tall compared to Miraak's height of six foot seven and Twilight's height of possibly six foot and was an alabaster color. Her horn was much longer as well as her wings, her mane was rather long and seemed to flow by itself, it had shades of blue, green, and pink. She had a large golden crown upon her head and wore a long green dress with several bits of jewelry on her arms and neck.

The second Princess was a dark shade of blue and her mane was close to this color, still flowing like the others. Her height was close to Miraak's but she still seemed a few inches taller, she wore a blue dress and her crown was black. The third, and smallest was an Alicorn in an all pink dress, along with her dress her coat was also a shade of pink and her mane was a mix of purple, pink, and vanilla and her crown was golden.

He noticed how well their dresses silhouetted their bodies, showing off their more female features.

Hmm.....they are more like my worlds females He thought

The last figure, a Unicorn on par with Miraak's height stood close to the smaller Princess, he wore purple armor that resembled armor from Tamriel, a short sword was sheathed on his belt.

"Twilight, is this him?" The Solar princess asked.

"Yes, this is him. This is our new guest, Miraak." Miraak walked towards them. The one in purple armor shifted quietly, keeping his grip on his sword.

"Twilight tells me you are very adept in magic, and fond of reading." Celestia said. Miraak simply stood and observed the Princesses.

"I am." He said.

"Spike....also told us what you are. Something called a Dragonborn and how they can....eat the souls of defeated Dragons." Celestia stated. Miraak looked at Spike, who was cowering behind Twilight.

"Yes..." He said, still staring at Spike. "What else did he tell you?"

"Nothing else." She responded. "But we were curious on how you came to Equestria." She then asked.

"That knowledge in unknown to me as well, princess." Miraak said. "I would like to find that out, hopefully soon."

"I'm sure Twilight would love to help you, all she's been doing is talk about you." The Solar Alicorn said. When Miraak was on Nirn and in his time the only ones who spoke of him with good intentions were usually other Dragon Priests, most of the time it was out of fear, primarily the Dragons.

"We can start whenever you want to." Twilight happily, perhaps to happily, said to him.

"How about tonight when the Princesses leave?" He asked. Without little hesitation Twilight teleported away with a bright purple flash and a giant and exited smile.

"As you can see, Twilight is rather eager to learn more about you." Celestia stated.

"I can see that." Through the entire meeting with the Princesses the one called Shinning Armor...rather ironic name due to him wearing a well polished plate armor, stayed silent and close to Cadence. All he did was stare. "Am I to remain here for the duration of my....visit?"

"It is your choice." Cadence said. "I'm sure you'll find it quite nice here in Ponyville. Everpony is friendly and always welcoming to visitors."

"Yes, though now everypony is hard at work preparing for winter." The Lunar princess said, sitting next to Cadence. With a flash of bright purple, and a surprised jump from Cadence, Twilight reappeared with a quill and paper.

"I'm ready whenever you are." He responded, taking a seat at the large table. The Princesses stood up.

"Its best Shinning and I get back, we promised Sun Burst we wouldn't be gone to long." Shinning helped her up out of her seat, Twilight set her things aside on the table and walked over to her brother and Sister-in-law. Without little hesitation she embraced them both in a big hug.

"Come and visit sometimes Twily, Flurry misses her auntie." Her brother said. The only words he had uttered since he had arrived. After they shared their goodbye's both Shinning armor and Cadence disappeared with a flash of light.

"Twilight do inform me on your progress with our guest. And Miraak, I hope you enjoy your stay here in Equestria." Celestia said. Both she and Twilight shared a brief hug before her and her sister walked out of the castle. She then returned to her seat and took a notepad and quill in hand.

"Where would you like to start?" She asked, smiling happily.

"It is up to you.." Miraak simply said.

"Hmm, alright. How old are you?" Even Miraak wondered that. Over his long imprisonment in Apocrypha he had lost track of time over the...generations.

How long has it been?

"...Old." He simply said.

"Not even a strait answer?" She asked after writing it down.

"No, I'm sorry but I lost track of time due to my imprisonment....I may be older than your Princesses." Twilight looked at him with a rather puzzled, yet interested look.

"You think so?" Miraak simply nodded slowly. "Hmm, we're going to be here a while if you don't mind. I have lots of questions."

"I do not mind."

"Good, I'll have Spike make us lunch then. Spike!" She yelled. Soon the sounds of someone running towards the council room was heard echoing through the hallway. The dragon opened the large door and walked inside.

"What'ch you need Twilight?" He asked.

"Could you get me and our guest something to lunch on?" Spike walked over and took a piece of paper from the table, still keeping Miraak at a wide berth.

"What do you want?"

"I'll have a sandwich on rye bread. On it I'd like lettuce, tomatoes, dandelions, radishes, and with honey mustard as a side, I'll put that on. OH and no crust please and I'd like a glass of water." She said, Spike quickly wrote it down, once he was finished he turned to Miraak.

"And you?" Miraak had forgotten about the entire concept of eating, having used his magic to sustain him through the years.

"I'll...have what she's having and with water...." Spike wrote the rest of the order down, tore out the page and walked out of the room.

"How longs it been since you've ate?" Twilight asked.

"A very long time..." He simply replied, bathing was another concept he had forgotten but planned to keep that to himself until he was able to do so, hopefully tonight. "Your princess said this town...Ponyville is a rather friendly village. Was she correct?"

"Oh yes," Twilight quickly said. "Everypony here is quite friendly to outsiders, I can take you on a tour of the town if you want?"

"Perhaps......after our food perhaps?"

"Sounds like a wonderful plan." She said, shutting her notebook. "Shouldn't take Spike long to get them around either."

"I noticed that many of the books contained in your library are magic related. How did you acquire them." He asked.

"Well I'm glad you asked, I've been collecting magical tomes ever since I moved out here. I mainly order them from Canterlot but plenty more come in from all over the place."

"Do you ever read them yourself?" Twilight happily shifted in her seat.

"Why of course I do! I read almost every night before bed. Starlight and I practice our magic once every week."

"So....a sort of magic duel then?"

"Mhm, you sound interested."

"A little, though I want to see this worlds magic first hand." The door soon opened and Spike walked in carrying a tray of food and a pitcher of water. He set the tray and the pitcher onto the table and looked at Twilight.

"Anything else you need?" Twilight took a bite of her sandwich and shook her head.

"Nothing important, but could you grab my jacket and set it by the front door. Our guest and I will be touring the town later."

"Alright, I'll be in my room reading if you'll need anything else." He said, walking towards the door and shutting it again.

"He seems to treat you like a sister...even a mother." He said, Twilight took a bite from her sandwich, crumbs fell on the small plate.

"I basically raised him," She wiped off her shirt. "I'm basically his mom and sister, you gonna eat that?" He looked down at the small but well made sandwich. He eyes it for sometime, being almost foreign to him. He moved his hands up towards his mask and grabbed its left tentacle. He lifted it up and set it next to the sandwich, revealing his face to the Princess.

"Do all the people where your from all look....somewhat like you?" She asked.

"No. Not entirely, there are more races on Nirn other than my own. Elves, Dwemer, Orcs, and the Beast races." He said, taking the sandwich in his hand and he took a bite from it. The mustard added sweet and whole new flavor he had never tried before, but the lettuce and tomatoes were there. The food had exploded into ambrosia in his mouth, not having eaten anything in millennia, most food would no doubt have the same effect on him. He almost let out a satisfied groan after the second bite.

"Are you alright?" Snapping out of the effect he sat back up straight.

"I....I'm fine.....I just haven't had food like this in....years."

"....Its a simple sandwich." She said, giving him a confused stare. "Just wait for dinner, if you'll join us?"

"I will." He said, quickly finishing the sandwich and quickly downing a large glass of water. After wiping the crumbs off his chest he put his mask back on and stood up. "Can we begin out tour Princess?"

"Alright lets go." She said.

The townsponies walked among the town, many carrying boxes of food and supplies while others gossiped with one another and some giving Miraak the occasional, but friendly look. "That's Sugarcube Corner, its where Pinkie and the Cake family lives. They're the local bakers." He could tell due to the lovely smells coming from the buildings open door. The houses were made of wood with either thatch or tiled roofing. This place wouldn't last long in a dragon attack.

The wind blew Miraak's robes but not heavily. Twilight walked slightly ahead of him, wearing a blue jacket to protect herself from the nippy fall weather and the pair of blue pants from earlier. Miraak, trying his best not to stare at her flank. "Where to next?" He asked.

"Anywhere really. We can go and see Rarity."

"The one that repaired my robes?" Twilight nodded. "I suppose. I was hoping you could answer some of my own questions while we walk there."

"Why of course, ask away." She said as they walked down Ponyvilles streets.

"While reading about your kind I stumbled across something called a cutie mark. What are they?"

"Well, Cutie Marks are symbols we obtain when we discover our true talent in life. Ponies, Zebra's, and Sometimes Hippogriffs can have them."

"And they are permanent?"

"Mhm, until we pass away. Or are magically ripped off."

"Sounds painful..."

"It was, but getting the cutie mark itself is virtually painless and it is basically part of the coat." She said. "But...unfortunately they're all located on a Ponies flank, so I cant exactly show you. I could draw a picture for you."

"That would be fine Princess. When would you want to start that magic duel?" Twilight stopped and looked at him.

"Hmm your more interested than I thought. How about later today, after out tour." Miraak nodded and continued to walk with her. After a short walk through the town they soon arrive at the Carousel Boutique. Through its large window they could see Rarity setting up a mannequin with a finely made dress on it. She noticed them walking up to the Boutique and waved, she moved away from the window and walked towards the entrance.

"Twilight! Always a pleasure to see you darling." Rarity said, opening the door to greet them both, giving Twilight a short hug. "What brings you here?"

"Just giving our new visitor a tour of the town." She said. "What'ya doin"

"Just getting some things ready for my fall sale deary." She motioned them inside. "So how are you liking Ponyville Miraak?"

"Its a quaint little town. Quiet and friendly."

"The place'll grow on you soon enough, soon you'll be out and about talking to everypony else." Rarity said cheerfully.

'We'll see...' Miraak thought. Through the whole conversation the three had, which seem'd to had lasted longer than they expected, he remained quiet, speaking when one of them asked him something. Mostly he thought of the ways he could try and leave this world amd back to his own.

"Ahem." Twilight said. Miraak, snapping out of his own thoughts looked at Twilight.

"Yes?"

"Ready to head back to the castle? Rarity has to close up soon." Miraak looked out the window and noticed the sun beginning to go down over the horizon.

"I suppose. 'Twas a pleasure Miss Rarity." Miraak said, sitting up from his chair.

"A pleasure it was my good sir. I hope to see you again soon, goodnight Twilight."

"Goodnight Rarity." With a flash of Purple Miraak and Twilight found themselves inside the castle foyer. "I'm going to get ready for bed. You?"

"I suppose so. Probably read before bed." He said.

"Probably what I'll do too. Night." She turned and walked towards her quarters. Silently standing in the foyer for another minute he turned and walked towards his room. His footsteps echoed in the large hallways and corridors on the way to his room.

Staring out his window Miraak watched as the distant sun slowly set. Seeing the lights in Canterlot and Ponyville slowly dim and flicker off. "What a queer place...." He said. He walked over to his bed and sat down. He removed his gauntlets and then his mask, he could feel the cold metal of his mask against his bare hands. He set them aside on a nightstand next to his bed and he soon rested his head on the white pillow.

Sleep.....just like eating the whole concept was foreign to him...but not lost in his memories. Staring at the crystal like ceiling and staring out the window once again. Sleep......like a strange affliction crept into him, his eyelids became heavy, his thoughts keeping him somewhat awake. His eyes shut, and the darkness of sleep soon came upon him.