Skryim III: The Dawnguard Wars.

Part Eight: Promises.

Serana led me through the dungeons out into the open air. It was dusk now. I didn't realize that the opening from the outside to the dungeons just left off and that prisoners could escape....but they couldn't. Not when they were lethargic and weak from blood loss. I looked around at the outside world with new eyes. Everything seemed so much clear. I could see the lightening bugs, hear the horkers in the distance. I could smell bears and wolves even from the woods. My senses were heightened, and they were never this potent even as a beast.
  Serana stopped me right at the entrance from the dungeons. The area was covered in stones and weeds, the sea was lapping at our feet as we stood. Then I could hear footsteps so clear, it was like someone was stomping near me. I looked up as Fennorian appeared from behind the castle. His mouth opened slightly when he saw me. "Taniiaae." I stare at him in surprise, feeling emotions rise up. I swallow. "Fenn."  He gives me a sad smile. But he doesn't speak as Sinding steps out from behind him. I stay where I am. Afraid to approach him. I could see the air puff out of Sinding's nose and mouth was the cold, and his expression was so raw, that it hurt to see. "Tanii?" he whispered, trying to approach me. I take a step backwards. "You don't want to see me like this. I don't want you to." I whisper, feeling as if my heart was being stabbed. I shake my head. "I'm not good anymore.....not for you, not for Lucia." Sinding takes a step closer, and I can see his tears. "Tanii....." he says softly.  
"Sinding, you should let me go. I'm not good....I killed someone when I was in there." I feel my voice break. "I killed a defenseless man. I sucked him dry."  I see Fennorian and Serana exchange looks as Sinding shakes his head and reaches for me.  "You deserve someone good." I say, as Sinding takes a hold of my wrist, gently but firmly. I turn my head away so I don't see his face. "I'm a creature of the night. I'm not good enough for you and Lucia." I say, feeling a little tear stream from my eye. 
  "You are my wife. My true love. The only woman I have ever loved. You saved my life, when I thought I was an evil man. You saw me for who I truly was." I hear Sinding say, as he gently tilts my face towards his. "You.....you are my everything. And you didn't give up on me, when I killed that little girl. I won't give up on you." I squeeze my eyes shut as I feel his warm lips breath against mine and then he kisses me. I want to fight back, but then I remember what I once was. I was a mother, a wife, a daughter,  The Dovakiin.  I pull back and stifle back a sob as I feel his arms around me. I bury my face into his chest and let out a cry.  He holds me as I tremble against him. "You are going to be alright. I promise you. I won't stop until it will be as it was before." He whispers into my hair.  "I killed someone." I whisper. "He was defenseless."
"Serana explained everything and I spoke to Fenn. You acted on instinct. It wasn't you, it isn't who you are." he says softly. I look up at him, my skin cold against his warmth. "How could you even look at me?" I say, feeling nothing but hatred for myself. 
Sinding studies me, and then says. "Because I love you." He puts something in my hands, and I see the dragon scale amulet. The Scale from Sahloknir when I defeated him on Kynesgrove. I remember the promise we shared before I had went into castle Volkihar. "I will always try to keep you safe." Sinding says, "I failed you. I left you to get bitten by vampires, but I promise you, I will find a way to cure you. You did that for me." He holds me against his chest and I exhale. "I believe you." I murmur. 
  
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Serana watched the reunion between the two in fascination. She had never seen anyone so devoted, or in love in her entire existence. Her parents hated each other. Her father would kill her mother if he ever found her. But not even Serana knew where she was. Her yellow eyes drifted over the mournful spouses to the other vampire who stood nearby, Fennorian. He wasn't anything like the others in her clan. He seemed at peace, relaxed, no thirst for power. She decided to approach him to give Taniiaae and Sinding a little privacy, the little they had. "Thank you for bringing her out here. They both need each other." Fennorian said softly. Serana nodded. "If my father.....well, I don't even know my father anymore. If I would have known that he would of changed her, I would of had her stay outside with you both." Serana said. She felt bad. Her intent wasn't on hurting this family. She wished her own broken family could be fixed. 
Fennorian nodded. "I know. I can tell." 
Serana hesitated than said, "Your clan...Ravenwatch is it?" 
Fenn nodded. 
"You seem...peaceful....why is that?" 
Fenn turned his head and smiled. "Because....we swore an oath to never hurt others despite what we are. My sisters and I made it our mission to make sure we could help others, not hurt them."  
Serana looked at Taniiaae, who was in the midst of a deep conversation with her husband. "Where is your castle?" Serana asked in a low voice. 
Fennorian spoke, "Castle Ravenwatch is in High Rock. My sister, or adopted sister, Adusa-Daro, has been the clan's leader for centuries. We are always welcoming to others who would want to adapt to a life like ours...despite being vampires." 
   Serana thought a minute on what he said. Then she asked. "What are you going to do now? With her husband?" Fennorian turned and gave her a confused look. "I'm not sure. What are you going to do with her?" 
Serana studied Taniiaae. "My father is no longer the same man I once knew. I want to find out what he is doing. Some of the other vampires, Orthjolf, Vingalmo and Garan, they all know something..... I need to know what they are planning."  Fennorian nodded, then said, "What would happen if you brought me in? I can help be an uncover for you in the court." 
"My father would know you would be from a different coven." Serana said, but she furrowed her brow. It could be possible. "Let's speak to the others."

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"You want me to go back to Fort Dawnguard and explain what happened?" Sinding asked, Serana in a surprised voice. "But wouldn't that hurt you?" 
Serana shook her head, "I'm not worried about me. My father has changed over the time I've been locked away. That court is filled with people....who only want power." Serana said, her voice sad. "I don't think you explaining what happened to their 'Dragonborn' is going to get me killed."
  Fennorian's eyes flickered. "I plan to enter the Volkihar keep. I can sneak in through the dungeons and hide in the tunnels until it's the right time for me to make myself known, if that will ever happen. That way, I can keep a close eye on Tanii and the others." 
"And I will look more into what my father is planning to do. He seemed more interested in me returning that Elder Scroll than he did seeing me." Serana said, crossing her arms.  I nodded, speaking for the first time since I finished speaking with my husband. "I noticed that." 
Serana's eyes glinted. "I hear that most of the court are interested in you? Do you sense any personal motives?" she asked.
I nod, "All but from Hestla and Ronthil. Those two.....I knew Hestla when I was younger. She had 'thin skin', always bothered by being called whelp when she was part of the Companions." 
Sinding's eyebrows raised. "I'll explain, later." I mouth to him. Then I turn to Serana and Fennorian, "Ronthil, the Bosmer.....he seems to be a newblood like me. He seems....childlike?"
Serana nodded. "After you taken to the Chapel of Molag Bal, I listened to Fura Bloodmouth and Feran Sadri talk about Ronthil. Said he was a refuge from Valenwood during the recent Thalmor attacks and was dying when he stumbled upon Feran. Feran said he wanted a servant or assistant, and I guess you can tell the rest."  
I frowned. If I ever got out of this, I would have to speak to Malborn about is he had any family like Ronthil.
  "So, we have a plan?" I ask. 
Serana nodded. "We do. Just make sure we all follow accordingly." She eyed Sinding and Fennorian. 
   Sinding grabbed my hand and squeezed it when I said, "Then let's get started."