Skryim III: The Dawnguard Wars.

Part Twelve: Choices

   I was anxious as I waited in the darkness at the borders of Dragonbridge. I had sent a message to Sinding two nights ago. I hoped he wasn't all the way in the Rift by the time I sent the courier to find him. But I made sure he knew where to meet me, if he made it or not. I needed to get out of the castle. 
   I stood in the treeline, my hood held over my head. I blended with the shadows, and I didn't know I felt about it. I missed the light, I missed everything about it. I missed my family, my home, the sun. I missed Whiterun, and my family there.  
   The sound of hoofbeats drew me away from my thoughts as I crane my neck to see who was approaching. My stomach flutters as I see the rider take off his hood and I see Sinding dismount his horse, Uriel. He looks around before I speak in a soft voice. "Over here, my love." 
He turns towards the trees when he sees me approach. We break the distance with a passionate kiss. After pulling away, I study his face. Dark circles line under his eyes and he seems tired. I feel a pang of guilt knowing that I told him we needed to meet as soon as possible. 
"Are you alright?" he asks, looking up and down at me.  
 I nod, "I'm sorry, I didn't want to alarm you....I just.....something was brought up to me at court, and I had to talk to you."  
  Sinding tenses and he nods, "What happened?" 
So I told him all of what Vingalmo said to me. About turning Sinding into a vampire, about how vague the Mer was with the whole offer. When I was finished, I dropped my head. "I didn't think you would agree to it because I don't want to force this on you, but you needed to know."    
   Sinding nods and then says, "Change me." 
I whip my head up and exclaim, "What?" 
Sinding cups my cheek with his hand, "I want you to change me." 
I slowly shake my head, "Didn't you hear anything I told you? I can't do this to you, we don't even know if there is a cure." 
"Yes, there is. When I received your message, I was in Morthal....I was speaking to a priest who specializes in the curing of Vampirism. He is the court wizard to Jarl Ravencrone." Sinding said, his voice hopeful. I feel myself yearning to cry. I didn't want to be hopeful. "A-are you sure?" 
He gives me a gentle smile, "I promise. I've already talked to Falion, the court wizard. I have already paid him ahead of time for a few cures. I wasn't expecting my own, but I don't want to leave you alone in that den of vampires any longer without me." 
"But what about Isran, and the Dawnguard?" I ask, feeling worried about the whole thing.  
"That's what I am for." 
I turn to see Lydia riding up on Queen Alsfigir. She dismounts with a smile. I rush over to her and throw my arms around her. She returns the hug tightly as I say. "I've missed you, I miss you all so much." 
I hear her laugh. "We are going to get through this. Like we always have, Tanii." I look between her and Sinding and say. "So....are you going to speak on behalf of us to Fort Dawnguard?"  
Lydia nods, "Yes, Sinding, Fennorian and I have mapped out a plan." 
"I wrote a letter to Isran and have given it to Lydia to deliver in my stead. I told him that I have searched for a Vampiric Cure and have found a priest to perform the ritual. I also told him that once we find out what we must to stop Harkon, that Fennorian will take some of the vampires who are loyal to our cause to leave Skyrim and go to his home country. The rest will be cured who wish to say in Skyrim." 
  "And of those who side with Harkon?" I ask, knowing the answer. 
"They won't want survivors." Lydia said gently. 
"Isran is hot headed, but he isn't a foolish man." Sinding said, putting a hand on my shoulder, "He knows we are on his side. He might  not agree with these measures, but he won't refuse our help."  
I nod and look at Lydia, "And when we need to reach out to you?" 
  "Come to Fort Dawnguard. Send for a courier and I will meet you at the entrance to the DaySpring Canyon." Lydia said, giving me a small smile. 
  I nod and look at Sinding who gives my hand a squeeze. "I am ready when you are."  
I nod and try to fish out a small vial of blood I brought from Volkihar. As I do so, Sinding nods at Lydia and says, "Take the horses, and get out of here before I turn. I refuse to have another Falkreath incident happen again."   I look up and he gives me a smile, "I'm not so strong as you, and from what I heard, it was tough on you." I give a slow nod and Lydia mounts Allie and ties Uriel's reigns to her saddle horn. "I will be in touch. Talos Guide You."  She rides off through night.  
  When it's just us, I say, "We should go into a cave....stay away from civilization." 
Sinding nods as we make our way a few miles until we find a cave off the road.   As we walk inside, I put the vial of blood down as Sinding sits on a large stone.  He loosens his shirt to bare his neck. "How painful is it?" He asks, curiously. 
I don't look at him as I say, "It was the most pain I have ever endured." My hands shake as I turn to him. "Whatever happens, I won't let you leave my sight. I know how you feel about the Falkreath incident....I promise I won't let that happen."  
  "You seem more nervous than I am." Sinding says softly as I stand in front of him. He meets my eyes and gently caresses my cheek down my neck, and whispers, "As long as I am with you, we will get through this. And if I can help you and Serana by being there, I will."  
  I smile and nod. Sinding takes a breath and I hold his hand tightly. "It's going to be ok. I promise." Sinding whispers. I nod and lean towards where his neck is exposed. I close my eyes and bite. Sinding tenses against me and squeezes my hands tightly as I pull away. My stomach lurches when I see the bite mark in his neck, little trickles of blood streaming down his collar bone.  I back up and spit whatever blood is still in my mouth from my husband.  I turn back to him where his eyes bore in mine and he just nods. He convulses and falls to his knees retching. I kneel beside him and hug him as he turns. 
  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I whisper, keeping a hand on him as the night goes on. I don't remember when things go quiet. It was as if I had fallen asleep while trying to cling unto him. 
    I feel hands slightly shake me and I turn to see Sinding crouched by my side. "My love....please, I need....I'm very thirsty and I don't trust myself-" 
I climb up and grab the vial of blood and hand it to Sinding, who opens and drinks readily. I watch nervously as I see that its still dark outside. The sound of thunder things in the distance. I jump as the vial of blood shatters to the floor. I suck in a breath as Sinding turns to me. His blue eyes are now a golden yellow, and his skin is pale. 
  "Sinding, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have let you do this." I stammer. But to my shock, he holds me in a tight hug. "You.....why didn't I meet you before Falkreath?" He whispers. "It's because of you....I was able to stay myself."  I start to tremble and I say. "I thought you were angry...." 
Sinding presses his mouth to mine and I respond with the same eagerness. 
  "You have been with these bloodsuckers far too long." Sinding says, studying me. "I can never be angry with you." 
"Be careful who you call bloodsucker. You technically are one now." I say in all seriousness.  Sinding nods as he licks his lips. He looks at me and says. "So I take it we need to return to Volkihar now?"
  I nod, "Vingalmo expected me to do this to my spouse, I wish it hadn't come to do." 
Sinding shakes his head, "You have to keep appearances...until you don't have to...we don 't have to."  
   I close my eyes, and my heart lurches when I think of our daughter. "Does Lucia know....know that you wanted to do this?" 
Sinding nods, "She knows that I had to save her mama. And she knew I would do anything to do it."   I swallow and give out a shaky breath. "Harkon wants to find this weapon....Auriel's Bow. That's his  next endeavor."  
Sinding blinks and says, "Does Serena know about this?" 
I shake my head, "Not as much as she wishes. Her father is also planning on scouring Skyrim to find her mother, a woman named Valerica. He says she has his missing Elder Scroll."