Betrayal (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Fanfiction)

Betrayal

As the howling wind tore through the night, the Dragonborn lay awake in her tent. The warrior was exhausted but her mind was too full to allow her the relief of slumber. She worried over Skyrim and the things that might happen during her absence. The woman would rather be there but she was currently on the island of Solstheim, hunting down the Dragon Priest that had sent two of his servants to kill her.

When the Last Dragonborn had learned of Miraak, she had been intent on defeating him for sending his cultists to murder her and trying to enslave the people of Solstheim. He didn't earn himself any sympathy when he attacked her on her first visit to Apocrypha and then stole several of her dragon souls back on Nirn.

However, now that the warrior knew Hermaeus Mora would make her his Champion if she succeeded, the woman could no longer bring herself to to continue with as much determination. Miraak's death would mean that she would end up taking his place. She would not allow that to happen.

Instead, the Dragonborn began to think as she delayed her inevitable encounter with Miraak. She knew she would have to face him once more, but maybe they would not have to fight to the death on the whim of an inhuman entity who only had everything to gain?

Skyrim was almost in a state of complete civil war, only delayed thanks to her intervention. Before the Dragonborn defeated Alduin, she had forced a Peace Council and negotiated a temporary truce between the Stormcloaks and the Empire. Both sides agreed to stay their hands until Alduin was defeated. Now that he had, both the Empire and Stormcloaks had resumed fighting and entreated their heroine to join them. Nothing she said could sway them to continue the peace and instead focus on the Thalmor.

The Dragonborn was at a loss on what she could do to unite Skyrim once more. She was conflicted and every day she hesitated in making her choice, the Thalmor gained advantage. Those damned elves were no doubt ecstatic that Skyrim was still weak and divided.

Skyrim's savior had a choice to make. She could join the Stormcloaks. But the woman did not like Ulfric and many of the policies on his side... Or she could join the Empire. But the Imperials had banned the worship of Talos and allowed the Thalmor into Skyrim.

The warrior felt both anxiety and stress as the days passed by. Her travels in Solstheim helped relieve some of those negative feelings as it kept her mind off of everything happening back on the mainland. She could think of nothing plausible that could work without much bloodshed on either side of Skyrim, That was, until now.

What if... What if she made a deal with Miraak. He was apparently thousands of years old and had the knowledge of Apocrypha at his fingertips for nearly as long. He didn't seem to want anything other than the island of Solstheim. The Thalmor would want to take the island as well. The ancient Dragon Priest would never allow that and he might be willing to stand against the elves for that reason.

The heroine was alarmed as to where her thoughts led her. How could she trust such a man? A traitor Dragon Priest? But the thought persisted. Miraak was known to have a silver tongue. He could sway people to his side using his voice, no doubt that was how he got his name, "Allegiance Guide". He had power, power enough to control dragons, as she had already seen. He had thousands of years to her paltry twenty four. He would undoubtedly be able to help Skyrim if she were able to get him onto her side.

Miraak would settle for nothing less than what he believed owed to him. Could she live with herself if she let her rival just take what he wanted, in exchange for his help?

The answer was yes. Though the Dragonborn would feel the guilt of such a decision her entire life, she would be willing to betray the trust of Solstheim's people as long as it was for the greater good. She would not allow herself to become a puppet of Hermaeus Mora and would do anything to stop Skyrim from ripping itself apart.