ʜ ᴇ ʀ ᴏ // Teldryn Sero

o.2.0 // a crack in dimensions

——
No one's POV
——

Rhea pulled Teldryn up another flight of stone and snow. The wind whipped bitterly at their faces, especially since the two lacked facial coverings for once. Rhea was used to this.

Teldryn, however?

It was horrible.

"Rhea, how much longer do we have to climb? I'm starting to regret this." Teldryn groaned, holding an arm up over his face to attempt to protect himself from the wind.

Rhea grinned, still walking with a purpose. "Not too much farther. Paarthunax lives at the top of the mountain. The Throat of the World." She hummed, taking the Dunmer's free hand and pulling him along.

"I seriously do not see the point in....this...." Teldryn trailed off as they arrived at the very top of the mountain. His eyes landed on the ancient dragon that sat upon the rounded wall. "...oh my Gods."

Rhea beamed, letting go of his hand and taking off towards the dragon. Paarthunax huffed out steam and quickly moved to the ground rather than the wall. The Dragonborn met the dragon with a hug of it's neck. Hell, the girl was nearly in tears.

"Paarthunax, i'm so sorry i didn't come sooner. I was in Solstheim like i said." She sighed, pulling away from the scales so she could stand in front of the dovah's snout.

"Worry not, Dovahkiin. Tell me, what did the assailants want with you?" The elder dragon asked, tilting his head a bit.

Teldryn came up to stand by Rhea as she sat down in front of Paarthunax.

"It's Hermaeus Mora again. He's got Miraak under his lure, and he's managed to gain from me as well. I'm sorry, truly. I didn't know his intentions. I didn't seek power, i swear! He just...managed to get through to someone else and- he killed them." Rhea frowned, looking down at her hands.

Paarthunax hummed. "Do not apologize, young dovah. Your sacrifices are honorable. Zin krif horvut se suleyk." He huffed. Rhea smiled a bit, looking back up at him.

"You're right. Thank you. Anyways, this is Teldryn Sero! He's been with me to help deal with finding Miraak." She grinned, leaning against Teldryn's arm as he sat down beside her.

"It's- uh...a pleasure." Teldryn muttered. "Apologies. I don't believe i've ever spoken to a dragon." He scoffed, crossing his arms.

Paarthunax bowed his head in acknowledgment. "Drem yol lok. Greetings. I sense the connection between you both. Bahlaan fahdonne - worthy friends." He hummed, voice just as rich and deep as ever.

Teldryn shifted, nodding. "I appreciate that. I'll protect Rhea until my dying breath."

Paarthunax seemed pleased with his answer, turning to Rhea. "Now. What do you seek? You did not come all this way just for the visit." he asked knowingly.

Rhea took a deep breath. "I want to save Miraak."

Paarthunax tiled his head again. "Explain." He demanded.

"I don't want a repeat of Alduin." The Dragonborn confessed. Her fingers twitched, slowly fiddling with the clasps of her armor. "After defeating Alduin...it felt so wrong. I don't care about destiny anymore, Paarthunax! I just...i just don't want to stay here with too many regrets. And i have so many of them. It- it isn't Miraak's fault that he got into this! It was Mora's! I can't let someone's thirst for power be their end. Not again. Like you said, you and Alduin were brothers once. We're all united by the dragon blood. I can't sit there and let the only other living Dragonborn be killed by my hand, or Mora's." She finished, eyes a bit watery. "He was my brother once."

Paarthunax looked her over before nodding. "Your mind is far beyond your years, little dovah. I believe you understand now.. It seems we both have troubles with our first-born brethren. Mine was too far gone. If you believe you can break Miraak's mind, then do so." He urged, voice a little deeper. "But how will you achieve this?"

Rhea sighed. "I think i'm gonna tweak a shout. It might work, it might not. Dov...Daal...Vus." She mumbled.

   "You're going to create a new shout? Is that possible?" Teldryn blurted out, looking up at Paarthunax quizzically. The dragon hummed.

   "Perhaps. It will be up to fate." He replied simply. Rhea frowned.

   "Is there no way to ensure this works?"

   "Again, there is no concrete way of a shout working. You must mediate on these words. Learn the power from within." the dragon replied.

   Rhea let out a shaky sigh. "It's worth a shot. I have to try something." She mumbled, holding her face in her hands. "Can you help me?" She glanced up at Paarthunax through her fingers.

   "Yes. I will help you meditate on these words. Perhaps this could work." The elder replied, thinking. "First, you must understand dov. Dov refers to the race of all dovah, including yourself. As my siblings rise, we are one. Then, you must understand daal. Daal is to return. It is very vague. One could return to a way of life, or a place, or return an item. You must understand and meditate on what you wish for it to mean. Last, you must understand vus. Vus is Nirn. Nirn is the planes of the living. Not all are physically here, but some are spiritually around you at all times. Drem - patience, little dovah. This knowledge will come to you over time. You cannot expect to return Miraak to Nirn tomorrow. You must first learn and comprehend." Paarthunax finished, bowing his head.

   Rhea nodded slowly, taking in all of this information. "Thank you, Paarthunax. You're of great help, as always." She smiled, leaning up to hug his scaly neck once more. "We'll need to be going. I have much to learn, and very little time. I'll see you later." The Dragonborn stood up, bowing her head before she was running off again.

   Teldryn looked up at Paarthunax. "She is always running." He sighed before running after her.

   Paarthunax smiled, or as well as a dragon could.

———

   Rhea sat down at her desk in Honeyside, reading over and altering her notes. Teldryn sat next to her, watching.

   "Do you think this is gonna work, serjo?" The dunmer asked, leaning his cheek against his fist. Rhea grimaced.

   "It has to work. I've just gotta...ponder over this for a bit longer." She mumbled, closing her eyes and sighing.

   Teldryn hummed, lips forming a scowl. "Rhea, dear, you've been at this for hours. It's nearly three in the morning. You need to rest." He sighed, watching her.

   Rhea frowned, nodding. "I know. Just- gimme a bit longer. I'll be in bed soon, i swear. Just a few more minutes." She pleaded. Teldryn rolled his eyes, taking the notes away from her. She immediately reached for them, eyes wide. "Hey! Give those back!" She growled, glaring at her partner.

   "You won't learn anything without proper rest. You know that. Stop being stubborn and get some sleep." Teldryn said sternly, standing up and setting her notes carefully on the dresser.

   The Dragonborn groaned, dragging her hand down her face before she stood up. "You're right. I'm sorry i snapped at you. I'm...I'm really frustrated." She sighed, standing up slowly and leaning against the elf. Teldryn simply smiled and gathered her in his arms.

   "Shh. Don't worry about it. Come. It's time for bed." The dunmer hummed softly, guiding Rhea to the bedroom. He pulled her into bed gently, instantly curling her into his arms and against his chest before bringing the covers up to their shoulders.

   "Rest well, hla aka."

   ———
cute lmao
is this gonna work for rhea?
here's y'all's translations lazy ahh

- Zin krif horvut se suleyk: Honor is fighting the lure of power
- Viik nuz ni kron: defeat, but not victory
- hla aka: little dragon

1306 words.