Children of Destiny - A Rise of the Dark Lord's Tale

Chapter 12 - Aftermath

DAENERYS STOOD NEXT TO HER SON AND SURVEYED THE CARNAGE ON THE BATTLEFIELD. The red blood of humanity mixed with that of dead orcs, slain by Akaviri swords, axes and bows and the stench of the dead filled her nose. Limbs and heads littered the field and broken weapons lay scattered like ruined toys. The cries of the wounded carried to her ears and memories of Kings Landing flooded her mind and despite Daenerys's valor, the shame of that terrible day filled her with regret. But soon the victory shouts of the Nord's drowned out the groans of cries of the injured. Talion and Eddard joined the Nord's in the celebration, cheering and raising their swords high in the air. Daenerys saw in the distance her husband, Geralt, Brianna, Kellian and Jon Snow carrying a badly burned body. Several Imperial officers that she didn't recognize were also assisting in the effort. The former queen rushed over to her husband, careful not to step on the fallen lest she may cause more pain to a wounded fighter. When Daenerys asked who the soldier was, the Dragonborn looked at her and she could see the pain in her husband's eyes and his answer shocked her.

"General Tullius" the Dovahkiin could only manage. Daenerys knew that her husband and General Tullius were close, a brotherhood forged in war. His death was not only difficult to bear, but a great loss to the Imperial Legion.

"How did his body come to be like this" Daenerys asked. "It looks like he was struck with dragon fire!"

"Sauron did this. Tullius bravely faced him alone" Brianna answered her eyes bloodshot from the fighting and tears running down her face. "He suffered the same fate as Gil-galad when the Elven king was slain at the Battle of Dagorlad."

"Where is he to lay" Daenerys wanted to know.

"Queen Elisif has decreed that he will rest in the Grand Hall of the Blue Palace for a week. Tullius was a good friend to Skyrim and confidant to the queen" Kellian answered, he too openly weeping for the slain general.

"Who's in command of the Legion then" Jon wanted to know

"Most of the officers and troops in the Imperial Legion deployed in Skyrim is either dead or severely injured. There are few who can stand in a shield wall if Morgoth renews his attack. I guess that leaves me as the ranking officer" Brianna replied. "The Akaviri sustained very few casualties leaving them as the only viable fighting force in Skyrim."

"Do we know when Westeros arrives for Stark's troops would provide much needed reinforcements" Jon questioned.

"Two days. They are caught in the mountain passes. Deep snow is slowing their arrival. We must pray for better weather" Brianna told her husband as Eldarion and his Rangers rode up. "I fear Morgoth won't give us two days and my Blades are going to pay a heavy price."

"Brianna, my Rangers and I will scout the Enemy position and determine their intentions. I have written my father and Eomer requesting troops. With any hope, my pleas will be answered" the Gondorian prince told the Master of the Akaviri.

"Thank you Eldarion. Any help would be most welcome" she answered.

"Who fell" Eldarion asked looking at the broken body of Tullius.

"General Tullius" Brianna answered, her voice cracking.

"On behalf of my father and mother, you have our most sincere condolences" Eldarion told his former girlfriend, laying his hand over his heart.

"Thank you, prince. Though he was an Imperial, he fought and died like a Nord. May his soul find peace in Sovngarde" Brianna replied still weeping for her fallen friend.

The Rangers rode off searching for the Enemy army, following their trail careful not to be caught. The Dragonborn and his company laid the body of General Tullius in the Grand Hall of the Blue Palace. They cleaned his body and placed his sword on his chest with his hands folded over the weapon. The Dovahkiin used his Restoration magic to repair much of the burn damage to his body. Yet much of the beloved general's body was sullied beyond restoration, ruined by the power of Sauron poisoned by the forbidden magic of Mordor. Brianna knew that the Dark Lords needed to be stopped, but she worried about what the fallen Maiar had told her – we have great plans that you will come to understand in time. The Akaviri Master feared that those plans involved Eddard and she would have to keep a very close eye on him, lest he be seduced into service of the Enemy. Her brother's son was at a critical point in his training and Brianna was concerned he could end up like Miraak or much worse. For the blood of Melian, a Maiar flowed in her nephew's veins and the power of the Ainur was at his disposal. Little did Brianna know that Sauron was already hard at work, overthrowing the mind of the young Akaviri Knight and Dragonborn apprentice.