A Series of Daedric Events (a Skyrim fanfiction)

Chapter Thirteen - The Fields of Regret pt 1

My head is pounding. I feel wrong. Nothing feels quite right. I struggle to open my eyes and it's like there's a weight on my eyelids. I dig my fingernails into my palms and slowly my eyes open. I don't recognise where I am. What happened? Where am I? I slowly sit up. 

"What happened? Where am I?" I rub my head, not sure if there's anyone around to here me. 

I'm laying on a large bed with white silk sheets, too many pillows and a canopy. I'm not wearing my armour anymore, but a dark blue nightdress. My short curly hair is loose. I still have my Daedric bracelet on, with all of the artifacts slotted into place. I slowly raise myself and look around. 

I'm in a beautiful and ornate bedroom. How did I get here? What happened last? 

I look to my left and almost jump out of my skin. Sitting by my side is a beautiful woman with flowing black hair, dressed in a long white dress. She has piercing purple eyes, sharp ears and a slender frame.

Next to her is Clavicus Vile.

"Oh, thank goodness you're awake," the woman gasps and I recognise her voice. Azura. It's Azura.

"We were getting worried," Clavicus adds.

"W-where am I? Maryse!" I sit up suddenly, remembering my sister and the Thalmor fight. "Where's Maryse? I have to get back to her!"

"The Thalmor have her," Azura says gently. "I...I think you had best explain the situation to her, Vile. I shall leave you two,"

Azura gracefully leaves the room and I look at Clavicus expectantly, my fists clenched. "Where am I? Where's my sister? What's going on?"

Clavicus looks stricken, an unusual look for him. Usually he just looks...smug. Annoying.

"You and Maryse were attacked after completing Peryite's quest because the Thalmor betrayed Nirn and cut a deal with Hermaeous Mora,"

"What?" I splutter. "That's...that's not possible,"

How could that be possible? How could Clavicus say it so bluntly, like it doesn't change anything? It changes everything!

"It is," Clavicus replies. "With the Thalmor armies and Hermaeous Mora's armies combined there's nothing left to do. Ulfric Stormcloak and Lexa Mede are dead, all of the other Jarls of Skyrim are dead...all of the leaders of all the countries of Tamriel are dead and in their place, Thalmor sympathisers,"

"Why are the other Daedra standing for this? The Divines?" I almost choke on my words. "This...this isn't happened. I'm supposed to put a stop to this!"

"You are," Clavicus insists. "Slowly but surely"

"Where's Maryse?" I ask him again. "Where's my mother? Blaise? Sofie? Papa? Where are they?"

Clavicus sits on the bed next tome and moves close to me and, for the first time ever, I don't flinch away from him. "You are in my realm of Oblivion. The Fields of Regret. Before the Thalmor could kill you, I manifested on Tamriel to grab you and bring you here,"

"Where is my family?" I repeat, blinking away hot tears. So it was Clavicus who came for me and lifted me away from the battlefield. But why?

Clavicus looks down. "Maryse was taken hostage by the Thalmor. She's alive...she's being used as a bargaining chip. Her lizard companion is alive too, nobody would dare hurt the son of Hermaeous Mora,"

"Maryse is okay," I release some of my grip on the bedsheets. "And my other family?"

"Safe," Clavicus confirms. "Your mother summoned her dragon kin and they fled to High Hrothgar. Not even the Thalmor would dare touch to it, as it's under the protection of Paarthurnax...and it's too remote as well. Blaise Whitemane fled the College of Winterhold and he's there too. A High Elf rules in his place as Arch-Mage, but she only pretends to be sympathetic to the Thalmor,"