Beautiful Insanity (A Skyrim/Oblivion Fanfiction) ((ORIGINAL))

Retaking the Fringe

REGINAPOV

Sheogorath opened his mouth, but no words came out. I felt pity for him, but also a warm shiver, like an electric shock that traveled through my fingertips all the way through my body. He was interrupted by a Golden Saint running into the throne room.

"My Lord!" she cried out, her breathing labored. "The forces of Order-- they've risen up! They've taken over the Fringe. Crystals-- massive, massive crystals-- are blocking homes, and--" Sheogorath held up a fine pale hand, and the guard halted.

"Thank you. I will send reinforcements." His sentences were clipped, as though the words hurt him. She nodded and walked out the door, limping on her right side. He turned to Haskill. "What happened after I returned with Regina?" Haskill paused, as though he didn't want to say. "Out with it, or out come the intestines!"

"As I said, Lord... You became Jyggalag once more." Sheogorath slumped back on his throne in a most un-kingly manner.

"Regina... forgive me. But it is time to fulfill your promise to defend the Isles. The Icicles? ...No, nmno, no, the Isles." I'd gathered as much. "You're not... upset?"

I shook my head. "Of course not, Lord," I replied quickly. "I'll do whatever I can to help. Simply tell me what to do." He stroked his beard before an icy resoluteness gathered in his eyes.

"...I've changed my mind. I will not send you out." My heart thudded at the thought of the citizens dying at Order's hands.

His hands, his uncontrollable hands.

"But Passwall--"

"Will have to fall. I'm sorry." I frowned at his lack of concern for the town, not to mention the people there.

"And why not?" I demanded, placing my hands on my hips. I ignored the fact that he could simply kill me where I was and leave my ashes to dirty the floor. I didn't think he would, regardless. Insane or not, ignoring an attack wasn't the way to win a war.

"Because I said so, and I'm not to be ignored!" Sheogorath slammed a fist against the arm of his golden throne, sending tremors throughout the room. I fell to my knees, breathing heavily as I tried to balance myself up again. The Madgod's eyes softened briefly, but the pupils soon returned to slits. "Little mouse, I'm not to be ignored..." He was silent then, waiting on me to answer. I nearly lost myself in the amber pools, but the thought of the land-- and my own goal to leave-- shook me out.

"Right. A-as you wish, Lord." I forced myself to stand and gave a quick curtsey before scurrying out. Orders be damned. I'm going to help them.

...

I waited until later that night, working out a plan to escape. When I was certain I wouldn't be caught, I silently padded into the throne room, using the shadows to my advantage. To my surprise, Sheogorath and Haskill were still within. The Madgod was speaking angrily.

...

HASKILLPOV

"Haskill?!" My Lord's fingers gripped His staff tightly, nails scraping at the wood. Without hesitation, I turned to Him and bowed.

"Lord."

"I don't believe you're aware..." he began, leaning towards me. "She is mine. She will become part of My Realm, Haskill."

"I know, Lord. She is a good match for you."

"Oh?"

"Indeed." But the thought of someone as capricious and insane as Sheogorath holding Regina was oddly undesirable. An urge to defend the young woman rose in me. "I have a game for You, Lord."