Skryim III: The Dawnguard Wars.

Part Three: Questions and Answers.

I rode Queen Alsfigir fast and hard back home towards the Tundra Homestead. I left Lydia in town with Sinding and Lucia. Told her to let them know that I had to be home urgently. I needed to speak to Fennorian, see what he was aware of in regards to the Dawnguard and this vampire issue. 
  When I got home, I tethered Allie to her pole and patted her before I rushed in doors. Malborn looked up curiously from his book. "Tanii, you are home early. And alone." He remarks, seeing just me. I nod. "Sinding, Lucia and Lydia are still in Whiterun, I had to get back here soon. Is Fennorian upstairs?" I ask, heading that way anyways. Before Malborn could respond, the hatch to the library opened and Fenn, as if summoned, peaked his head over. "I assumed you were looking for me?" He asked in a cheerful voice. I nod. "I'd like to talk in private. I'm coming up." I started to climb the ladder upstairs and Fenn backed away as I climbed in. I shut the hatch so Malborn wouldn't hear. Not that I didn't trust him, no, it was better if this conversation was only kept between the two of us.
"You look...alarmed." Fennorian comments at my state. I nod. "Your clan, House Ravenwatch.....did you ever have any trouble with the Dawnguard?"I say, crossing my arms. Fennorian paused, then put his hands behind his back. He shook his head. "No. Because we stayed very secretive of what we were. My father or Sire,  Verandis, made me and my adopted siblings choose a life where we can live normally. We only drank the blood of willing donors, such as what you and your husband have done for me." Fenn said quietly. "The Dawnguard and our house, Ravenwatch, both came to be in the 2nd Era, but we never had any dealings with each other." I keep silent. Having Fennorian live among us was an interesting arrangement. Sinding and I would often bleed ourselves to donate to the vampire, but in return he would help us with anything we needed and would often be of service. Both Sinding and I had dealings with Daedric Princes, but so had Fenn, except, I don't think he could be cured clean as we had. 
   "So your house never had any problems with the Dawnguard?" I ask, making sure what I heard was correct. Fenn nods, "I myself was helping the Vestige of Legend, Princess Svana of Solitude and Lyris Titanborn, as did my family. We wanted to help Skyrim, not fight against it." I smirked, "I've remembered hearing that story in my tomes, I didn't know you were part of it." Fenn's chest puffed a little, "Yes, I was. The Vestige, they were alot like you in more ways then one." He smiled.   
  I can hear the galloping of horses and I step out of the library unto the our elevated porch. I can see Sinding riding with Lucia on Jonnri and Lydia following behind on Uriel. I smile, but then turn my attention back to Fennorian. "What do you know of the Volkihar Coven?"
If a vampire could get any paler, it was Fennorian when I brought up that name. "They are the most pure blooded vampires. Verandis greatly was against them and they were no allies of ours. They were devout worshippers of Molag Bal, and one of the last lords of their coven had given his wife and daughter as the Daughters of Coldharbour in sacrifice to Molag Bal....but much to his displeasure, they fled."  Fenn said in a low voice. "I take it that this is the same lord who the Dawnguard are having trouble with, and he and the Dawnguard want the same thing."
"And who is that? This  mother and daughter?" I ask in a low voice. Fennorian cleared his throat. "I'm not entirely sure, but is believed to be the daughter. Her mother has disappeared, but there have been rumors of the Nordic daughter of a mad lord who was locked away to keep away from her crazed father. I'm not sure if its her or not." His red eyes blinked. "I wish I could be of more help to you."  I shake my head. "No, you have actually given me alot to think on." I can hear noise downstairs, and I know my home is becoming fully again. "For your safety, until this envoy of the Dawnguard leaves, I think you should stay in doors. I don't want you to get caught by these hunters."   I say, turning my back. Fennorian bows low. "You and your husband's kindness does not go unnoticed. If you need any other questions, be sure to ask me." I nod and I lift up the hatch to downstairs. "You are family to us. We are a confused one, but we are still family."
................................................................................................................................................

Lucia laid on her bed, reading the new book that Sinding bought for her in the market. I kissed her good night and then went outside. The night air was cool, but it smelled fresh. I smirked when I saw Sinding being busy mucking the stalls. 
"I told you were off the hook." I say, coming behind him. I hear him chuckle as I wrapped my arms around his waist and rest my head against his back. 
"True, but I figured it was good to get some exercise and give Malborn a break. I like manual labor." he said, putting his hands around mine. 
I smile. "Well, you are good at it." "Much better than being in the court with the Jarl. I'm surprised you can sit long enough." Sinding muses. I laugh. "I hate it. But I guess I'm supposed to like it better than getting my nose bashed in." With that Sinding laughs harder and I release my hold on him and he turns around to put his arm over my waist. I lean my head into his chest as he kisses my forehead. "I noticed you had left town earlier than usual. Is everything ok?" He says quietly. I exhale and  lean my arms against the stall to the stable. I shake my head. "Sounds like there is another problem. I didn't want to say anything, but..."
"But?" Sinding prodded. 
I swallow and say. "A member of this 'Dawnguard' was in court today. He is from an alleged group of Vampire Hunters. Said that he was hear to recruit members for their cause. Said that there is a vampire problem and that Morthal, Falkreath and Dawnstar have been under attack." 
Sinding is quiet for a moment. I look at him. "What?"
Sinding clears his throat. "I wasn't around Falkreath very long before... we met. But there was rumors that the couple who ran Half-Moon Mill weren't human." I raised my eyebrows. "Did they just not come into Falkreath to do business?"
Sinding shakes his head, "Oh no, they did business, just....people went to them...and some people didn't come back. The night..." he clears his throat. "The night you met me, after I escaped, I had ran by that mill. And they didn't smell....alive."  I look down at my hands. "Alright then, so I guess Durak wasn't lying about Falkreath. I guess he wouldn't be lying at all." 
Sinding leaned closer to me and took my hand. "You seemed troubled by this whole Dawnguard thing. Why is that?" 
I give him a sad smile. "I don't know. There are several reasons. Maybe this Dawnguard is no different than the Silverhand? Fennorian is our friend. I don't want anything to happen to him." Sinding nods. "As long as he stays with us, nothing will. I can promise you that."
"And...maybe for my own selfish reasons, maybe I don't want to help fix another one of Skyrim's problems." I say, shrugging my shoulders. "Alduin is gone, Miraak is dead. The Civil War is on a pause, and the Silverhand have grown quiet. Maybe I want to go....maybe I don't want to save Skyrim again." I put  my hands on Sinding's chest and meet his eyes. "Maybe I want to live on this  homestead and have nothing to worry about. Maybe just worry about the next harvest, or keeping us fed. About making sure Lucia is taken care of and is warm. Maybe I just want to be....to be of no importance and to make a life with you and our daughter. Maybe....maybe I want to try to have another child." 
Sinding cups my right ear with his hands and I whisper. "Maybe I just want to be Taniiaae and not the Dragonborn for once. Maybe I want to be as normal."
Sinding closes his eyes and he kisses me. I put my hands on his shoulders and close my eyes as well. Sinding takes in a deep breath after we break away from our kiss. "You will always be Taniiaae. You may be the Dragonborn, but you will always be that strong willed girl who I met. I will honor anything you decide."
I nod, "I know you will. And as selfish as I want to be, I know I can't just sit here and wait."  
Sinding chuckles. "That's my girl." 
I sigh. "I think I will have to make my own journey to Fort Dawnguard."