Into Oblivion ~a Skyrim fan-fic~ (On Hold)

Family Reunion

Vaemona's breath came in shallow, uneven pants. She wasn't tired, the distance from Belethor's and the temple of Kynareth paled in comparison to the walks she took daily across her aunt Alvina's land, and yet she found herself short of breath. The idea of seeing her mother again, a woman who she hadn't seen in twelve years and was now on her deathbed, unnerved her. The letter she had received was very impersonal, almost generic. But that's how their relationship had always been, even when Vae was a child.

She couldn't remember exactly when it happened, but after Vae had reached the age of four, love was lost from her mother's eyes. Throughout her life in Helgen Vaemona tried everything to gain her mother's favor, but nothing was never enough. Her father was the only one to show her affection, and she adored him for it. The day she lost him was the day she lost everything, including her respect for the city guard. She was nearly at the temple when one stopped to get her attention.

"Everything all right?" His voice was gruff, scratchy most likely rubbed raw by the harsh cold air of this region. Despite the roughness Vae could hear the genuine concern in his voice, no doubt he having noticed the look of pure nausea she adorned at the thought of her past. She knew he wasn't the guard responsible for the accident, that man had been dealt with, but she still harbored a deep hatred for any one who wore a guardsmen cloak. She bit the inside of her cheek, attempting to quell her anger as being jailed was the last thing she needed.

"Everything is fine." Vae managed to grunt quickly brushing past the man and inside the temple. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, her back leaning against the door. But her peace was short lived.

"Vaemona." It sounded more like a battle cry than a greeting as Vae raised her gaze to find her younger sister before her. Her tall slender figure was resting against a pillar, seemingly relaxed. However the muscles in her arms as they were folded over her chest were all tensed, as if she was waiting for Vae to try and strike her. Her lips were pressed into a thin smile and her eyes squinted in an attempt to convey humor but everything about her expression looked more like a challenge.

"Hey Lamyri, it's been a while." Internally she scolded herself for the blandness of the statement, 'I've missed you'; 'I thought about you every day'; 'I wish I could have been there to watch you grow up'; 'I didn't want to leave'; 'Please don't hate me you're all I have left in the world'. Vae grimaced to herself, the sappiness of the last possible statement suddenly making her grateful she stuck with bland.

"Indeed." Receiving no warmth from the blonde who's hostile stare drove daggers into her heart she turned her attention away to the woman lying on the pyre. Honestly the word woman was far too generous for the state her mother laid in. Withering husk of wheezing breaths, lifeless eyes, razor bones and paper skin seemed more accurate. She stepped towards her, sensing Lamyri defensively reach for her blade behind her.

'Could she be frightened of me?' The thought only briefly crossed her mind before she dismissed it. Lamyri had always been protective of things she considered her responsibility, but still she was her sister. She had no reason to be afraid and it wasn't like Vae could do anything that wouldn't be considered mercy.

"Hello mother." Her voice was devoid of warmth as she spoke with the woman who had all but banished her from her home and torn her from her rightful place by her sister's side.

"Vaemona..." A rasping sound answered her, a thin claw like finger beckoning for her to come closer. She obeyed, terror stiffening her steps through her anger. No matter what else had happened this woman was still her mother, the thought of losing her forever becoming all too real the closer she got. "I wanted to tell you...something..." fits of coughs interrupted her speech, drawing the attention of the priest who quickly cast a meaningless healing spell, doing little to assist Vivien. Vae smiled gratefully at him but she was met with the apologetically grim expression an executioner casts his victims just before the axe comes down. "Something I should have given you..a long time ago..."

Previously uninterested, the mention of a mysterious gift peaked Lamyri's curiosity. Moving from her place against the pillar and to the opposite side of the pyre from Vaemona she briefly forgot her weariness of her older sister. As usual Vivien took no notice of her younger daughter and from within the folds of her clothing produced a scroll, placing it gingerly in Vae's outstretched palm. Before Vaemona could ask what it was Vivien's sickness took hold, dragging her down into her usual unconscious state.

A/N: Finally, the long over due chapter. Let me know what you guys think :3