Reborn ~an Alduin Love Story~

Kindred Spirits

Seasickness. Definitely seasickness. Not that Sizaan had ever voyaged on the sea but seasickness was the closest thing she could liken the feeling of solid earth beneath her feet after flying thousands of miles at impossible speeds on dragonback. Wobbly legs, nauseated, dizzy, headrush, accelerated heart rate. Textbook description of a feeling for a very untextbook experience. The ride itself was terrifying, she was more than grateful it was Paarthurnax who carried her for she would have trusted no one else to.

However in the deepest parts of her subconscious it was exhilarating, and not entirely forgien. Some part of her, she guessed the remnants of the dovahkiin inside her, had been through that ride before and loved every moment of the wind brushing against her adrenaline heated skin. She brushed these feelings aside, locking them away fearful the dovahkiin would take control of her again.

For a moment Sizaan forgot why she had come to Skuldafn to begin with. She nearly gasped in awe at the ruin of what was probably once a very grand structure. The scholar within her wanted to pull out a writing pad and document her observations of the incredible ancient stonework around her. She wondered what enaed humans to create something so elaborate so high in the mountains and then she remembered: dragons.

Her gaze lifted, immediately finding Alduin's terrified eyes focused directly on her. Everything about his expression begged her to leave. She wished that were an option.

A tall slender figure, skin like cream and a smile that was almost welcoming, but with eyes that burned holes into Sizaan's skull. She shivered, the air around who she realized was the Dovmonah radiated power. It felt like a crushing weight upon Sizaa's soul, much similar to when the dovahkiin's power had returned to her. Despite her best efforts to remain brave Sizaan was afraid.

Why had the world brought her to this? She was only a teenager, how could she be expected to face one of the oldest beings in existence? The first nineteen years of her life were spent locked in a castle at the throat of the world. She was surrounded by monks not warriors. Surrounded by knowledge not affection. Surrounded by isolation not society. Her muscles held no great strength. Her heart knew not how to deal with overwhelming emotion. Her morals didn't demand self sacrifice for others. Why should she have to be the one to fight against her fears in protection of the world?

"Well, look at you. Come here child," a cat like purr of a voice that weaved its way into Sizaan's mind and tightened the noose around her will, pulling her forward even as she tried to force her feet still. She didn't stop until she was a step beneath the Dovmonah. "We have not been properly introduced, what is your name?"

"Sizaan Kulaas." She answered quickly, trying desperately to remain calm.

"Hm. I'm sure my sons have told you much about me."

"You're a monster." Little conviction could be found in her voice. Sizaan knew she should hate the woman standing before her. She should see her as the embodiment of all evil. But Sizaan didn't see a monster. She saw a mother who had lost far too much.

"Monster is a harsh term, child. But if I am so, then you are as well."

It took a moment for Sizaan to understand what she meant when suddenly Paarthurnax's words flashed through her memory:

'..Because of your soul. It's so alike the dovmonah's they mistook you for her..'

She and the Dovmonah were...

Vulsaqhonvol stared down at the girl beneath her. Sizaan Kulaas...lost princess. A fitting name. In a distant life Vulsa was her own lost princess once. So much in Sizaan, so much of the pain in Sizaan, reminded her of herself. Nothing is more dangerous than being reminded who one once was, when facing the dark they had now become.

This girl posed a far greater threat than Vulsa would be able to contend with. But if she killed Sizaa now, she wouldn't have enough power to fight off both Alduin and Paarthurnax who lingered on the platform at the ready for any sign of mistreatment to Sizaan.

It would be a gamble keeping her alive, but the child didn't seem to realize her own strength. Perhaps instead of killing Sizaan she could teach her. When all was said and done and her plan as realized Vulsa knew she would need someone alike herself for company. Maybe the child could become her own.

"But you don't really believe that now do you child?" A hand stretched in offering towards Sizaan. "Haven't you always felt alone? Out of place? Like you didn't belong here and to make matters worse like a part of yourself was always missing?"

Sizaan did. Every word the Dovmonah spoke resonated inside of her heart and soul. Their connection was undeniable.

"We are kindred spirits, Sizaan Kulaas. Join me and we shall restore all that is rightfully ours."

Alduin finally seemed to snap out of his terrored daze, reaching to Sizaan and pulling her away from his mother. He stood between them his heart racing as he knew there was little power he held to protect his precious Sizaan.

"Don't listen to her Kulaas she.." With a wave of the Dovmonah's hand both Paarthurnax and Alduin fell to the ground in a magical slumber.

Sizaan gasped never having seen such subtle and yet powerful magic.

"This entices you, doesn't it? I could teach you to hone your power Sizaan. Join me."

Sizaan felt her breath increasing panickedly. Paarthurnax told her it was her destiny to destroy the Dovmonah. It was her destiny to save the world.

But she and the Dovmonah were...of the same kind.

Her mother was dead because of her. Her father abandoned her. Her grandmother didn't know her and probably wouldn't want her if she did. She wasn't truly welcomed in High Hrothgar any longer. Her best friend had moved on with her life. And Alduin...Sizaa's eyes cast to his unconscious form with sorrow. Alduin didn't truly care for her. He saw her as a lost princess...a thing in need of protection. And maybe she was. But the Dovmonah could teach her how not to be. She could teach her to be strong.

The world didn't know her. The strongest parts of her came from someone else. What possible reason did she have not to join forces with the one person who truly understood her?

Sizaan reached out and accepted the Dovmonah's hand in partnership.