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

Chapter 8 - Revelations

TAURIEL QUESTIONED SHELOB FOR A WEEK WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. The Nightingale was frustrated that the spawn of Ungoliant refused to give up any secrets. News of the Greybeards murder at the hands of Ulfric and Sauron sent shock waves throughout Tamriel. Nord's openly weeped in the streets of Solitude, Whiterun, Windhelm and other holds. Ulfric became the most wanted fugitive in the realm and the Emperor personally wanted him dead. And Sauron was the most feared mystical being in both Middle-earth and Tamriel. In Winterhold, an elf who had the poor misfortunate of looking like Sauron was beaten, his home looted and burned and son expelled from the College.

Tauriel looked at her prisoner who had an arrogant look on her face. The only advantage she had over the ancient foe was the fact that she did not know her identity. Tauriel kept her Nightingale mask on and her hood up. The shapeshifter seemed not to fear her and always repeated 'I don't know.' The Blades and the Dragonborn wanted answers and Tauriel was determined to get them. As Tauriel opened the door to Shelob's cell, the spider rolled her eyes.

"I'm not going to answer your questions so forget asking them."

"I can always summon Geralt of Rivia. He's in Skyrim right now. You know the Butcher of Blaviken? He's a friend of the Dovahkiin. I'm sure the White Wolf would love testing his mettle against a descendant of Ungoliant."

Shelob's eyes betrayed her fear at hearing the name Geralt, but she quickly regained her composure "Then you will never learn Sauron and Ulfric's secrets."

Tauriel sighed and her head dropped. Short of mistreating Shelob nothing was working so Tauriel tried one last gamble. She took off her mask and Shelob's eyes opened wide in surprise and dismay.

"Tauriel of the Woodland Realm? What are doing in Tamriel? Why are you a Nightingale?"

"I've lived in Tamriel for nearly a century. I came here after the Battle of Five Armies."

"But why?"

"My mate was slain by Bolg and I couldn't deal with the grief and Nocturnal gave me purpose."

"But Legolas survived the battle."

Anger surged through Tauriel and she gripped her sword handle tightly wanting to draw her weapon and strike the spider down. But as quickly as the anger came it left as Tauriel regained control over her emotions.

"You fell in love with a Dwarf? No stranger than I. I loved both Sauron and Talion."

It was Tauriel's turn to be shocked, but she didn't reveal it. It was the first secret that the spider had revealed. Soon the shifter revealed what Sauron planned and it horrified Tauriel. Shelob stood up in her cell still bound by the manacles and studied the Elf.

"You've changed greatly Tauriel. The Eldar wouldn't recognize you. Legolas would be ashamed that you're a Nightingale and associated yourself with the Butcher of Blaviken. My race is nearly extinct due to the Witcher's."

"The Tauriel of Middle-earth died at the Battle of Five Armies. Who I ally with is my own concern. Just know that you are not getting out of this cell."

"If you say" Shelob snorted. "Sauron or Ulfric will come and release me from bondage and know that I will kill your fellow Nightingales . . ." Shelob went too far for Tauriel drew her Nightingale sword and cut the headoff  of the spider.  The ancient enemy of Mirkwood's body twitched on the floor as Tauriel watched in dark amusement. She got what she needed and now Tauriel needed to report her findings.

"YOU THREATENED HER WITH GERALT" THE DRAGONBORN SAID LAUGHING. "It's been five years since I've seen the White Wolf and Jaskier. He's not in Skyrim that I know." Looking at Daenerys he continued "Jaskier is the worst bard I've ever encountered.  Although I am fond of Toss a Coin to Your Witcher." 

"You know Geralt of Rivia" Daenerys asked her eyes wide with surprise.

"He and I go way back."

"My father and Geralt fought an elder dragon together" Kellian and Brianna both explained.

"That's not all" Tauriel continued.  "He has designs on Westeros.  He plans to attack the realm with an army of Easterlings, Southrons and Haradrim under Talion.  That's why he killed the Greybeard's.  He needed to raise the dead Ranger.  But the Greybeard's were not his first choice.  Daenerys was" Tauriel briefed.

Daenerys sat in stunned silence and couldn't believe what she had heard.  She couldn't decide what was more disturbing that Sauron wanted to sacrifice her or that he planned to attack her homeland.

"Why does Sauron want to invade Westeros" Daenerys asked.

"Because Westeros is not Westeros.  Westeros is actually a piece of long lost Beleriand from the Eldar days" Tauriel said. 

"Then who exactly are the White Walkers."

"Servants of Sauron.  He wanted a weakened Westeros and he used the Aldmeri Dominion to weaken the Empire and used Ulfric against Skyrim.  He's been plotting since the One Ring was unmade."

"What's this that Westeros is Beleriand" a quaking voice asked.  Arwen, Eowyn, Aragorn and Faramir stood in the Hall of Sky Haven Temple.  Members of the Blades stood up immediately and bowed to the High King of Gondor.  Eldarion and Elboron stood in disbelief at seeing their parents.  

"Mother, father" the two Rangers said almost at the same time.

"A piece of Beleriand still remains" Arwen asked again.

"It would seem that way." Tauriel answered.

"King Aragorn" the Dragonborn said rising from his seat "Welcome to Skyrim."

Aragorn looked at the massive Nord "You must be the Dovahkiin.  Your daughter's description of you does not do you justice.  You look like you could kill a cave troll with a single punch."

The Dragonborn laughed at Aragorn's joke "a cave troll no, but a goblin definitely"

"Excuse me" Daenerys nearly shouted "is anyone but me worried that Sauron intends to invade Westeros.  My home is under threat of invasion!"

"Didn't you ally yourself with the Dark Lord after he gave a ring of power" Elboron questioned.

"I was corrupted then . . ."

"Wait" Eowyn said "you're Daenerys Targaryen.  What are you doing in Tamriel?"

"The Dragonborn saved my life after I took off the ring.  Jon Snow made an attempt on my life while I bore Talion's ring . . ."

"You wore the fallen Ranger's ring" Aragorn said in surprise and shock.

"Yes."

"Amazing that you did not succumb to the darkness.  You must have a strong will" Faramir added.

"Talion gave me his sword and told me to come to Skyrim and I have pledged my weapon and Drogon to the Dragonborn's service."

"Nevertheless Daenerys, Westeros is a piece of Middle-earth and it belongs to the Elves" Arwen stated.

"You'll never make it past the Night Watch.  Jon Snow will ensure the death of all who trespass in Westeros" Daenerys warned.  "He is the finest swordsman I have ever seen."

"Obviously he has never fought Aragorn or Geralt.  Geralt I have sparred with and fought alongside.  Aragorn only by reknown" the Dragonborn retorted.

"You fought with the White Wolf"Eowyn said impressed "I hear that you are quite skilled with a blade yourself Dovahkiin."

"I'm okay" the Dragonborn answered

"Do you think you Geralt would be willing to assist us" Aragorn asked.

"I last had contact with Geralt two years ago, but for the right price he would be more than willing to aid us."