High King Dovahkiin next's adventure

Chapter 2 old friends and new family

Excerpt page from eragon’s book. The Journey.

It is funny how destiny and fate weave your journey and adventure before you even realize it and how it leads you to it. From the simplest and mundane to complicated and grand. In my case it was all four and it all started in Helgan. With my head on the chopping block staring up into the red eyes of a midnight black dragon. With the headman’s axe raised into the sky.

“Come on, brother! The gods aren’t going to give us another chance like this!”

‘Fuck fuck fuck fuck FUCK!’ I thought before rolling into the tower along with the rest of the storm cloaks.

“Jarl that was a dragon wasn’t it? A real live fire breathing dragon?”

“Yes, that was a real dragon currently raising this city to Ash.”

“I’ve seen the one in whiterun above the Jarl seat. I thought it was scary being dead but seen one in flesh and very much alive makes me wish I was home sleeping and all this was a nightmare. What’s next, is the Lord of madness and chaos gonna show up?” I said panting and trying to not panic staring at Jarl Ulfric. “After that imperial bitch attempted to have me separated from my head and shoulders consider me fully on your side, once I tell all the companions and old Gray mane. You guys are gonna have the best steel around and maybe even some Intel that you can use. I know damn well any requests asked by those aligned to the imperials are going to be ignored from here on.” I said starting to shake some of the nervousness from my shoulders. “Now who’s got a dagger to cut these binds from my hands. I wanna go find that Captain so I can ring her neck personally.” I said rather darkly as someone cut the bindings from my hands.

“How is it they didn’t have you get out of your armor?”

“I was assured if I didn’t miss behave I wouldn’t have to, after all i saved all my coin to even afford the ebony ingots needed to forge this set. I may be the apprentice to old gray mean but I sure as hell ain’t letting any imperial hands get their hands on the set of armor. I just wish I had forged a helmet before leaving to deliver this request of sky forge steel for you. Anyone have a helmet that isn’t light I can use till we get out of here?”

—back to the main story—

After that brain numbing and complete an utter curve fireball, the entire group including said curve ball made our way into the keep proper. Said headache inducing problem add to duck to fit through the doorway.

“Where is the mead, I need some mead before we tackle this.” I said before sitting down on the bed upstairs since it was the biggest room that all of us could fit in.

“When did all this start, when did you get the ability to speak?” I asked shadowmare looking at the towering equine before me. Both of the sisters reaction to said equine was the same. Gapping jaws and brains trying to process what they were seeing. Most likely the same thought was ‘how is she so big.’ I mean here I am 6.5 feet and shadowmare is easily 10.5 feet when her head is held high.

“It was about 30 minutes after she showed up it’s been about five hours that we’ve been here.” Vilkas said looking at me.

“We’ve had plenty of time to process it. To be honest it’s kind of strange seeing two smaller ones with wings and horns.” Farkas said looking at them then me.

“Oh yes, sorry. Introductions, these both are Celestia and Luna respectively. Both hold the same title as high king, or in their case princesses. Celestia here moves the sun and Luna moved the moon. I still don’t fully believe them till I see it but I will probably be in 2 to 3 more hours before they could possibly show us.” I said looking at my companions and wife.

“So what happened? Why is there a bunch of horses running as royalty?” My loving wife Aela asked looking at me.

“First off, use pony. Horse is kinda offensive for them, second they are to small to be called horses. For oblivion’s sake shadowmare I would consider a horse. Third A lot has happened. Tamriel as we know it no longer exists. I would know, I got front row seats to watch it all be destroyed. Judging by some of the things I saw and witnessed the gods and Lords may of broke off and or had a war with each other. As far as I know none of them exist anymore, or haven’t contacted me yet seeing that I am their grand champion.” I said explaining to those that hadn’t been sat down and told how things work now.

“So what do we do now?” Vilkas said looking at me. Straight to the point, that’s what I love about him. Focus on the here and now figure everything out later.

“Right now, i’m considering restarting the companions guild and the ‘other’ guilds. Both in a way of making coin and giving these two a information Intel source so they can find out about things and any bad actors. We both know which guild I’m talking about that was particularly good at sniffing out skeletons in closets.” I said looking at those around me both brothers knowing exactly which one I meant.

“What do you mean?” The sisters asked

“Just like I said you guys need information on any bad actors and or possible troublemakers that show up. Then you’re not caught off guard should something happen.” I said looking at them.

“And speaking of which, I hope you both don’t mind me starting it.” I said looking at them.

“Have both of you had formal training in swords and general defense of each other.” My wife ask them both.

“We both have but I haven’t kept on it. Magic defense is something I still have power in. Out of both my sister is probably the better sword user.” Celestia said looking at her sister, judging by her face something in there past happened.

“Well that can’t stand in my eyes.” I and my wife said in almost In unison. We looked at each other and laughed a little. “Anyways, I’m not going to let you side on your sword practice nor any lack of magic practice either. You can’t lie to me Celestia, you haven’t done any kind of training in years, judging by how much fat you have built up in spots.” I said comparing her to her sister Luna who was more in shape then her sister. “One’s body must be kept in constant training on the skills you have or else they will weaken and become useless.” I said looking at Celestia in particular.

“I will over look the fat remark.” She said as her sister was trying to hide her little laugh. She shot a look at her sister. “But it is a time of peace, I shouldn't need to ready to fight.”

“Peace isn’t a proper reason to be lazy on working on one’s body and skills.” My wife said looking at her.

“Well I haven’t had a reason to fight since our fight so long ago.” Celestia said looking to her sister. Luna looking downward in what guess was shame.

“What happened?” All of us asked.

2 hours of explaining from the sisters and much tears shared later.

“Alright so, this nightmare moon being sounds like a possible connection to our lord of nightmares. Unfortunately I don’t have a proper way to see if it’s still there with you, however a trip to the Soul Cairn. As for being able to get in there we need to brew a few potion to help fight the effect of the place. Should only take about 30 minutes to get the potions made and about another 30 to go find the one who could help tell if that spirit is still with you.” I said looking at both sisters before slowly moving to the brewing stand. Luna eventually coming over to stare over what I was doing.

“You know alchemy?” I said looking at her.

“I dabble.”

“I figured you for a alchemist.”

“You’ve been waiting a long time to use that line haven’t you?” Farkas said after laughing for a moment.

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

“Should we get the witchers going again as well?” Vilkas said after looking at me.

“What are the witchers?” The sisters asked.

“It’s a combination of both the vigils of stendarr and a small chunk of the silver hands. Though it more the vigils and how could I for get the dawnguard. See sometime ago the vigils were destroyed by a massive vampire menace so I helped rebuild them from the ground up taking some influence from the silver hand and the Dawnguard. Reticle and naming them the Witchers which are basically a hunters of all things evil. Which unfortunately does include werewolves but they were offshoot that had been cursed with the same curse as us. It gets kind of complicated after a bit, but to summit up our wolf forms got changed so whenever we transform there’s a symbol on our back to indicate that we are Witchers and not like them. It’s a silver outline wolf head, typically on our back or on our chest. I used to have the same dark fur as them, but due to the toll I had to pay for reading the elder scrolls just like my hair my fur changed to white. These three make fun of me for it and start referring to me as elder whenever I transform.” I said pausing mid step of the brew to explain, before what I was brewing released a black puff of smoke in my face covering it in soot again. They all begin to laugh at my expense.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, how is it that fire doesn’t seem to bother you?”

“Both in part to the dragon blood running though me and due to a pain tolerance. I’m not exactly immune to fire but have a good resistance to it. My beard, as my wife can agree to, I used to keep extremely short so I can wear a full face helmet and not be unable to wear it because of the beard. Most of my helmets now I’d have to use open face ones or have my wife braid it up into like it is now and kinda tie it around my neck or head so I can use a proper helmet.” I explained looking at them.

“He hates using open face helmets because they have poor protection. And I don’t blame him. But this is coming from a man who from a good chunk of time would run around with just a circlet.” My wife explained before teasing me.

“Hey I turned that circlet into a proper addition to the crown of kings thank you.”

When both sisters raised there eyebrows on what was being talked about, vilkas came down with said crown. Sometimes referred to as the crown of thorns. Made from dragon teeth and talons, a light blue strange metal circlet was added around the original crown. Celestia hates to agree but said crown truly shows the sign of rule. ‘I just hope the dragons under the dragon lord torch don’t care or cause trouble because of him and that crown.’ Celestia thought while looking at the crown.

“I’m jealous, here all I have is this tiara well you have a proper sign of royalty and command.” Luna said clearly very jealous of the crown.

“Heavy is the Crown.” I said knowing full well what was needed to rule and lead. Both sisters nodding there heads to my quote.

“Well potions are done, the land of souls is near the copy of the dragon wall. Come on, you stay shadowmare, I don’t know how the land of the dead and trapped will effect you. If need be I will just summon Arvak if I need a stead.”

“Well when you ride me, I feel like of use, but if I must wait here then I shall wait here.” She replied while both sisters stared wide eye at her then me.

“Not like that!” I said finally figuring out what they thought that meant. “The only thing I ride like that is my wife thank you very much.” I said before heading out the door, my wife who is as sharp as me began laughing as well as both brothers looked on in confusion at what was said.

As we made our way to the entrance to the land of the damned I began to think on how best to get the old dragons attention. Silently happy to have my spell knight set on. While I would walk around in the ebony version I knew the steel one would be enough for this possible fight. Well I had openly admitted to Luna my feelings of the matter of her nightmare, I knew this entity was definitely its own being and judging by what I’ve heard from her about it, it must be destroyed. The portal into the land was before us. It’s dark magic still kinda spilling out. Since this realm is similar to the soul cairn it’s easy to connect the two. Didn’t know about it until I stumbled upon it while walking around. Once we reached the mouth of the gate way I turn to my fellow travelers.

“Best drink those potions now they last for half and hour. Do be ready for the taste, it can be foul sometimes.” I said before descending down. My previous adventure into here, my soul got used to it, or by what Serana said. I could hear some light gagging from them as I walk all the way down.

“Warned you.” I said before looking out to the land before us. “Dur Neh Viir!” I shouted out. Soon hearing a reply roar out. ‘Good he is still alive. I mean he is technically already undead and cursed but that’s beside the point.’ I thought as said drake flew over us before landing as close as he could. Judging by the whisper behind me, this is the first of this kind of dragon they have seen.

“Ysmir, dragon of the north, it is nice to see you once more.”

“Same to you, durnehviir. I come to you seeking help and advice.”

“Not in many moons would I think you would come to me for advice I thought you would seek paarthurnax instead of I.”

“Unfortunately, I do not know where paarthurnax is, for many many years of pasted. And the land has changed, so I don’t know where he may of gone.”

“Sister, he knows paarthurnax, how can that be?”

“I don’t know sister but let’s wait to talk to him about that.”

“Hmm that is very troubling ysmir, but we shall talk of that later, what advice do you seek of me?”

“This blue equine before you I believe has a parasite of sorts, that is tied to the goddess of dreams and nightmares. I was wanting to know if you had anyway to see if it is true that she has a unwanted travel companion and if you had a way to remove it?” I asked the old drake. He looked over Luna with a curious gaze and was most likely deep in thought.

“I know of one for both of your questions ysmir, the first should be easy. Aura view as you know it should work for the first question, the second use ‘sil rek govey’ or soul sheer separate.” He said before digging in the ash before us the dragon language for each word. Now with shout in mind i turned to Luna.

“Let’s begin. Laas Yah Nir!” As the outline of those around me appeared. Celestia's aura was more orange then red. While luna's was blue. I could see that indeed Luna’s blue aura had a purple shadow over it far larger then her current size. So she does indeed have a unwanted tag along. “Sil Rek Govey!” I shouted at her the purple shadow began to separate from her. Unknowingly at the time I had separated another entity from her. One she had created to punish herself for nightmare moon. The soul cairn helped merge the two into a new being. A very little a new to the world being.

“A foal?!” Luna asked staring at the new infant. Before anything could be done I reached down and picked up the new life in my hands. Taking the infant in hand I began to walk towards the stairs to leave this place.

“What are you doing, we should destroy that parasite. We shouldn’t take car—.” Luna began to speak.

“Silence.” I said the air around us dropping to near freezing. “I care little on how you feel about this life in my arms. But they are innocent and pure, untainted by any ill givings you had or have when it was a part of you. And if you dear threaten her in my presence again, you will not enjoy anything I do for the rest of the time I’m around. Maybe instead of taking your anger and frustration out of this child, maybe you and your sister need to look back upon your past and find what caused you to become nightmare moon and find a way to make amends for your past actions. It’s not impossible, for I have made amends with my own past deeds.” I said before turning back to the stairs and walking up it.

“You truly live up to your title ysmir.” Durnehviir said while I walked away. His breath releasing large amounts of steam due to the drop in temperature near that area. “I’d take his advice you two, find the issues you both have and move to right them. His wrath I know well, for I have seen it first hand.” He said before taking to the air. Both sisters looked to each other before following.

Once I reached the top my loving wife was already beginning to make of the little one in my hands.

“So this is what they look like when they are young. By the nine they are so cute, with that small horn and wings. By the gods, she has fangs, we’ve got to raise this little one.” On and on she went before practically running off the the keep to most likely grab the old crib out of storage. As much as I hate that we both can not have children with each other, she was destined for being a great mother. As the sisters slowly made there way up and began to follow me not a word was spoke till we reached Dom’s home.

“Dom do you still have that khajiit blanket for sale?”

“Yes I do.”

“Consider it sold.” I said tossing a coin pouch of coins to him. He snagged it out of the air and walked in his home before coming out with the red with gold lacing blanket. I began to wrap the small one in my hands in it. Like I did with my infant son.

“Have you thought of a name?” Celestia asked breaking the silence from last we spoke.

“Probably going to use the dragon word for night, or moonlight. Haven’t decided yet, probably will ask the wife for ideas.” I said looking at them. Luna looked ashamed over what she said. Not meeting my eyes as I looked at her. I walked over to her before bending down to her eye level.

“Luna look at what is in my hands, and listen.” I said as she began looking at the bundle in my hands. “As a wise old man once told me, monsters aren’t born, they are made. Be it by the actions of others or by themselves. Iron can not do anything unless it is shaped into a weapon or a tool. Only then does it become something made to destroy and end, or does it become something that creates and builds. My adopted father and my teacher as a black smith taught me that when I began to forge my first dagger and hammer. That lesson has stuck with me long after he pasted away.” I said thinking of old graymane at his sky forge, looking down at this orphan boy he had unintentionally adopted when he had just tried to take some of his gold from his coin pouch. The memory bringing me joy and pain for all the things I had done to survive. If he hadn’t taken me in, what would I had become.

I watched the sisters leave out the portal night coming quickly before I began to move to the keep. Both put this one to sleep and get some myself. I may not truly get rest from it but I know my body will thank me later. My wife had both brothers lifting the crib next to our bed by the time I had walked in and walked up the steps. With the little one in the crib, I told the brothers to go get some sleep too, and to remind me to get some milk from our cows for the little one. Soon enough my wife and I were in bed holding each other while talking on names. Shadowmare had shifted the rug in the room to the foot of the bed and laid down with her head able to look at the crib. Probably some form of maternal instinct that she might have, she was another one I always thought it would be another good mother. Seeing that she can talk now maybe she can give me some advice, since it might be similar to her, in someway.

“It’s got to be something relating to the moon, or nighttime or even dreams.” I said.

“What about just calling her night?”

“To close to her original name nightmare moon.” I replied looking to the roof. "I was thinking cosmos vulon, Cosmos night.”

“What about moonlight?” she said as she yawned. "Not every name needs a bit in the dragon tongue." she said mockingly before kissing me.

“Moonlight? Hmm it does fit. Perfect sweetie, she shall be moonlight.” I said kissing my wife, before we both began to fall into to sleep. Unfortunately for me I found myself reliving my worst night. The night of bloody tears.