Skryim III: The Dawnguard Wars.

Part One: Tundra Homestead.

It was chilly this morning. I am the first to wake up in our new home.  After my little adventure in Solstheim, my family and I returned back to Skyrim. With the rewards I had earned and my pension as Thane, my husband, Sinding and I were able to purchase land on the Tundra Homestead. It was a bigger house than our little Breezehome, so it made living more comfortable. With the extra space and more rooms, we were able to employ our friend Malborn as our steward of the Homestead. Considering that he was wanted by the Thalmor, we kept him close and he was safe with us. Lydia stayed with us as well, but would often go back to Breezehome for certain items. And lastly, our friend we met in Solstheim, Fennorian, stayed in the library in the Tundra Homestead. We were like a small little family here. Sinding's and I's daughter, Lucia, loved the country. We were able to bring our horses, Queen Alsfigir and Uriel from the stable in Whiterun over to our mansion, and for Lucia's tenth birthday, we gave her own horse. It was a beautiful paint mare that we bought from Markarth that she named Jonnri.  
   It was a beautiful house. And life was beautiful, but I felt guilty. 
Back in Apocrophya, before I fought against the first Dragonborn, Miraak, he tried to entice me. And he forced a kiss on me. I know it was only a small act, but I felt guilty. I felt like I had betrayed my husband. As he and I never kept secrets from each other, I told him what happened, and while he didn't seemed hurt or upset, I was. I was worried that I hurt my best friend and the love of my life. And I hated myself for it. 
  I walked outside, with my cloak over my bed clothes and I look at the sky. Dawn was creeping over the far horizons. Despite the turmoil inside me, I smiled. This was a beautiful place to live.  I walked over to the small stable where we kept the horses. Allie recognized me on sight, but I've ridden her for years. She pushed her long nose in my face and I laughed as I pet her velvet nose. She's always been my good girl.  Uriel, Sinding's palomino, and Jonnri, Lucia's paint, each craned their heads in to get rubbed. I always loved horses. I remember Kodlak telling me my mother did too. My heart ached when I remembered them.  
  "You're up early." 
I turn to see my husband, Sinding walk from the front door to our homestead over to me. I smiled at him. "Aren't you cold?" I say, taking in his bare feet and light sleep shirt. He walks over to the trough and pours fresh water for the horses. "No, you know, being hot blooded for so long, going nights without being cold, it's refreshing, you know? Living as they always have." 
I nod. I knew what he was referring as we both shared the same ordeal. "I think you are handling it better than I." I say. Ever since I was stripped of the Hircine's Curse, I felt weak and small. I felt powerless. Sinding, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy the simple life, but he had a traumatic experience with his lycanthropy. After setting the bucket down he put his hand over mind. "You're still upset with yourself, aren't you?" he whispered. 
I nod. "Yes." 
He exhales and says, "I'm not upset with you. I'm not hurt. Did you enjoy it, what he did to you?" I feel my chest tighten. He meant Miraak's forced kiss. I shake my head. "No, I hated it." 
Sinding's fingers wrap around mind. "Why did you hate it?" 
I meet his eyes. "I hate anything that's not with you." I say, honestly.
Sinding pressed his lips against mine and I return the kiss. My hands move against the stubble of his beard and up behind his ear. He pulls away every so gently and leans his head against mine. "Then, forgive yourself. You didn't do anything to me, to us. Nothing will ever come between us. I won't let it."   He whispers. "I believe you." I say in a soft voice.  He holds my hands against his chest and says, "You do?" 
I nod. "I believe you. I don't believe in me." 
"Tanii," he says before I shake my head. "Miraak felt something for me. Doesn't that scare you? It scares me." I whisper, my voice trembling. Sinding shook his head. "He lusted for you, my darling.  He felt nothing but lust for you and your power."  He put his hands on my shoulders and says. "I love you. I will always love you." 
I feel my tears threaten to spill and I whisper. "I love you so much." I say in a trembling voice.  
He smiles, "I know you do. And that's why I'm not hurt." He kissed me again, and this time, neither of us wanted to break away. 
"Hi Ma, Hi Pa!"
We both jumped in shock as Lucia stood in her night gown in her small moccasins she wore around the house. She smiled.  "Were you kissing?" 
I started laughing as Sinding ran over and growled like bear. He picked Lucia up and she squealed in his arms. I ran over and said. "Don't you all get muddy, or you are bathing outside." I smile though. I wrap my arm into Sinding's and kissed Lucia on the forehead. "Did we wake you up?"  Lucia shook her head. "No, Ma. I wanted to go ride Jonnri." I give her a stern look. "You were going to wait on your father or I, right?" 
"Come on, Ma! I'm ten years old. I'm not a baby anymore. I can ride her alright." Lucia said as Sinding set her down. She crossed her arms across her chest. Despite her being born to different parents, she had alot of my stubbornness and sassy tendencies. I wondered if the Aedra had planned this. I shake my head. "Besides, Pa says I'm a much better rider than you." She says, looking at Sinding. I look at Sinding in surprise, who turns beat red. "Oh really?" I say, my voice creeping up. "Since that's the case.....I think your Pa has earned himself a punishment....." I give Sinding a grin. I see his cheek twitch in amusement. "I think your Pa should clean the stables today instead of poor Malborn doing it, and you should help him since you both think I'm a horrible rider." Lucia shook her head. "I didn't agree with him!" I grab her and hold her against me in a quick hug. I kiss her hair. "Alright, well I need you to promise me that you won't ride by yourself and that you can ride Jonnri later with me. I don't want you exploring by yourself on her. Understood?" 
Lucia nods when I release her. "Yes, Mama." I look over to Sinding, hands on my hips. "You are still in trouble, sir. I will tell Malborn that he doesn't have to worry about the stable today, and that you will clean it." 
Sinding smiles and gives me a false salute, "Yes, Dragonborn." I gently push Lucia towards the door. "Come, let's help Malborn make breakfast." I say. Lucia runs towards the door as Sinding puts his arm over my shoulder. "I could use the exercise mucking stalls." He grins. I shake my head. "Good, you deserve it." He laughs as he holds the door open for us and closes it behind us. 

    Inside, it was still dark. Malborn and Lydia were most likely asleep, and Fennorian was still upstairs. I didn't know what he did. I didn't know if he could sleep or not, but I felt it wasn't my place to ask.  
I went into the pantry and pulled out some grain, I was going to make porridge for our breakfast. "Lucia! Go take a bath, sweetheart. You can ride Jonnri when we head to Whiterun later. I need to meet with the Jarl." I say, as I start the fire under the cauldron.  "You can play with Mila, Lars and Braithe when I'm in the meeting." 
"Ma, I told you, Braithe is not my friend. Only Lars and Mila." Lucia said, "Braithe is mean to me. She took my dolly and threw him in the mud."  She runs into our washing room and starts the small fire under our bathing tub. "Remember, Aunt Ria had gone to talk to Braithe's Ma and Pa since you were busy washing my doll." 
   I look at her. "I'm sorry, my love, I forgot that she is rude to you. At least you can play with Mila and Lars. And if not, I'm sure Aunt Ria could use your help in Jorrvasker." 
Lucia shuts the door as she pours water into the tub and said. "Well, I want to show Lars and Mila Jonrri. They will be so jealous." 
I shake my head as I cut apples and mix it into the porridge. Sinding comes from our room, fully dressed in his farming clothes. "You don't want to bathe or eat before you star?" I ask, as I put a lid over the pot to let it simmer. Sinding shakes his head, "No, I'll be filthy by the time I'm finished with the stable, figured I wouldn't be wasting the water by waiting until tonight."  He sits down at our long table. "I will take a bowl of your porridge though." he says. I smile. "Good, I don't want you to think I'm starving you, husband." I say, going back into the pantry and pulling out a few sweet rolls that I kept in our cold box. I set it on the table as I heard footsteps coming downstairs. Malborn walks down, all dressed. He smiles at us. "Good morning,  Thane. Sinding."
Sinding smirks as I say, "Malborn, remember, just because you are my steward doesn't mean that you have to greet me with these exhausting titles. Taniiaae has and will always do." Malborn smiles. 
"I'm not paying you to be my servant." I say, "You are my friend, who I appreciate. Keeping an eye on this house means alot. Also, Sinding is on stable duty today. You get a break." 
Sinding nods as Malborn takes a seat. "Really? I don't mind taking care of them."
"If you want to give Uriel attention and groom him, you are more than welcomed too. Sinding is being punished for telling Lucia that she's better at riding horses that I." I wink at him. 
Malborn tsks at Sinding. "I thought you knew you are never to tell your wife that she isn't better than something else." 
Sinding laughs, "It seems that I am defeated. Torn between my wife and daughter. I need a son." 
I raise my eyebrows at him and say nothing as I ladle the breakfast into bowls. Lucia runs out of the bathing room in her green dress and her hair damp. She jumps unto her seat and says. "Come on, Mama! I want to go to Whiterun quickly!" I set her bowl down and say, "I'm afraid you will have to wait a little longer. I'm not going to court looking like I was rolling in the hay."
Sinding spits his porridge out of his nose and Malborn chuckles. 
I sit down at Lydia, followed by Fennorian walk down stairs. 
"Morning, Lydia, Fenn." I say, scooping the food into my mouth. "Come, sit with us." 
I knew Fennorian, who was a Vampire, only drank the blood of willing participants, would sit with us for the joy of our company. Lydia, on the other hand, seemed distracted. As Fennorian took a seat near, but not with us at the table, Lydia shook her head. "Sorry, Taniiaae. Urgent matters. I have to get to court." 
"Why don't you wait for Lucia and I? We can go with you to Whiterun." I say, looking at her in surprise. 
Lydia shook her head, "I'm afraid I can't wait. There has been news of arrivals from Fort Dawnguard. They called a meeting with Balgruuf. I need to be there as soon as possible." I get up from the table and nod. "I'll go with you. We can take Allie." I look at Sinding and Malborn. "Sinding, you are off the hook, Malborn, still, take the day off. If one of you wants to ride to Whiterun with Lucia, that's wonderful. I need to leave with Lydia, as soon as possible." Sinding nods, "I'll take her to town, you go ahead." 
I smile and run into my room and change into more acceptable gear. I walk out and look at Lydia as I grab my bow and arrow. I lost my dagger, Maiden-Sing against Miraak. "Let's go, Lydia."