Rise of the Dark Lords - an Elder Scrolls and Middle-earth tale

Chapter 6 - The Fallen Ranger

DAENERYS HAD SPENT NEARLY A MONTH AT ANGBAND AFTER HER 'DEATH' AT THE HANDS OF JON SNOW.  She vividly remembered and felt the blade plunge into her belly and darkness take her.  When she awoke at the ancient fortress in Middle-earth, her rage burned at the betrayal of Jon Snow and when word reached them that he was not punished for his treason, her hate reached a level that impressed the Dark Lord.  Like with Ulfric, Sauron began training her in the dark arts - a forbidden magic that only Melkor, Sauron, Shelob and The Black Hand knew. Daenerys loved the power that the ring granted her.  Yet it came with horrific memories - a family butchered to bring back a long dead Elf who possessed a slain nameless Ranger.  She had trouble sleeping at night for the memory would always return - like a bad illness.  Daenerys both feared and respected the Dark Lord for he had given her the gift of eternal life with a ring of power.  But he warned her never to take the ring off for mortality would return to her.

As the former Queen of Westeros stared at the night sky, she sensed a presence behind her.  Turning to face whoever had come, she was surprised to see the Ranger from her dreams.  He seemed to be studying her as if she were some experiment or lost animal.  He radiated power and looked to be a veteran of battles long past, but he also seemed to have found a place of peace.  His eyes were soft, yet full of fury.  Around his neck was a scar from where a sword had slit his throat.

"Who are you" she asked.

"I go by many names.  Gravewalker . . . Bright Lord . . . Fallen Ranger . . . and Talion."

"Why are you coming to me?"

"For you bear the Ring that I forged in Mordor.  I have come to warn you.  If you continue to possess the Ring, you will  become one of the Nine."

Daenerys was confused.  Here was the Ranger in ghostly form warning her not to trust Sauron.  What could Talion possibly gain from trying to meddle in the affairs of Dark Lord?

"You were a Ranger of the Gondor.  Of course you want me to question my loyalty to Sauron."

"I ended up serving the Dark Lord.  If you continue to bear the Ring I fashioned, you will fall into darkness and become a Nazgul.  Sauron seeks servants.  He intends to use Ulfric as his war captain, his new Witch-King.  You control the drakes of Westeros, but secretly he is poisoning the mind of Drogon turning the dragon against you.  Shelob he plans to unleash on Alinor for Sauron hates Elves.  You are to be a pawn of his.  Nothing more" Talion explained.  "Who do you think was behind the return of the White Walkers?  Sauron wanted a weakened Westeros and Tamriel so he caused several wars.  The Great War and The Stormcloaks were his idea."

"You lie."

"Sauron sent the Black Hand who murdered my family before my eyes at Black Gate.   The sword that Ulfric bears is the same weapon that butchered my beautiful wife Ioreth and only son Dirhael.   Don't be so naive to think that Sauron won't use you as a sacrifice as means to get what he wants."

"How did you become a Nazgul" Daenerys asked.

"Celebrimbor betrayed and took it from me and in my desperation I wore the Witch-King's Ring.  Even now, that Ring is slowly overthrowing Ulfric's mind.  Soon Ulfric will become Sauron's thrall and slave.  But you still have time."

"But if I take the Ring off, I'll die."

"Not if you go to Skyrim."

"Why Skyrim?"

"Not only is the Dragonborn a powerful warrior, he is an accomplished restoration mage."

Daenerys thought about it for a minute.  The only way she could reach Skyrim was on the back of Drogon, but there was a very high probability that the dragon would be killed on sight.  From what Kellian had told her, the Blades were professional dragon slayers and the Dragonborn chief among them.

"Right now, Sauron is in Mordor with Ulfric and Shelob at Minas Morgul.  If I want to make my escape, now is the time."

"Then flee while you can." Talion handed Daenerys something long wrapped in cloth.  "This was mine both in life and death.  Use it well."

Daenerys unwrapped Talion's sword from the cloth and she admired its deadly beauty.  She buckled the weapon to her hip and stormed off in the direction where her dragon was resting.As Daenerys took off with Drogon, Talion knew he couldn't reveal the awful truth to the girl.  She needed to learn how to trust and perhaps love again.  Talion could rest again knowing that Daenerys had made her escape never knowing that Sauron was fattening her up like a lamb to be slaughtered only to resurrect the former Gravewalker.  Talion had seen part of the Enemy's plan when the Elder Scroll was read by Thalmor.  Even now his service to the Dark Lord haunted his spirit.  If Sauron was allowed to kill the girl and Talion awakened as a Nazgul, Middle-Earth, Westeros and Tamriel would fall to Sauron and that could never be allowed to happen . . .

AT SKY HAVEN TEMPLE ELDARION FOUND THE DRAGONBORN OVER THE FORGE.  Eldarion marveled at his skill with the hammer as the Dragonborn pounded out the impurities in the metal.  The Dragonborn was irritated that war once again threatened the hard won peace.  For the past month, Eldarion and Elboron trained with the Blades and they combat skills increased.  But Eldarion always kept his eye on Brianna.  When her brother returned from Westeros with the news of Daenerys's victory and subsequent assassination, it shocked the Blades.  It was rumored that the Blades had secretly allied themselves with Targaryen in the even a second war with the Aldmeri Dominion broke out they would have a powerful supporter.  As Eldarion approached the Dragonborn he stopped his work and picked up a cloth and wiped the sweat from his head.

"Dragonborn can I speak with you?"

"What is it Eldarion?  I have to finish this axe."

"I am asking your permission to court Brianna."

The Dragonborn laughed "that's not how love in Skyrim works my half-elven friend.  Love in Skyrim is based on one's deeds."

Thoroughly confused, Eldarion replied "I don't understand."

"When I married Ysolda, Brianna's mother, I had to fight my way through a nest of bandits just to bring her a mammoth tusk."

"Deeds" Eldarion then said "I see now.  Also my father is looking to build an embassy here in Skyrim."

"He can have my home in Solitude.  Proudspire Manor.  It's . . ." an alarm bell began ringing and the Dragonborn's head snapped to the south.  "Grab your sword.  A dragon has been spotted headed toward Sky Haven.  It's been years since a dragon has been seen in Tamriel other than Odahviing."

The Dragonborn picked up his personal bone handled katana and the Blades assembled.  The dragon approached Sky Haven at a high rate of speed and as the Blades readied their bows Kellian screamed for them to hold their fire.  They were in disbelief when the dragon landed and Daenerys leaped off its neck.

"I need to speak to the Dragonborn immediately!"

"I am the Dovahkiin" the Dragonborn responded gruffly "and I don't appreciate you bringing a dragon here.  Only Odahviing is welcome in Tamriel."

Daenerys studied the Dragonborn and was immediately and strangely attracted to him.  But that was not the important thing.  She could see Kellian open mouthed in utter shock at her appearance.

"I hope your right about this Talion" Daenerys muttered to herself as took the Ring off and threw it to the ground.  She looked down at her gown and a bright red spot began forming and blood began flowing profusely from her mouth as her body lost power and collapsed.  Daenerys felt herself being caught in the arms of the Dragonborn.  She felt the power of his magic as he repaired the wound on her stomach.  Daenerys felt life return to her again and the anger and hate that once possessed her fled from her mind and soul.

"I have information regarding the Dark Lord Sauron and Ulfric Stormcloak that you need to hear.  The survival of Middle-earth, Tamriel and Westeros depend on it."