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

Chapter 10 - The Road to War

THE DEATH OF TAURIEL SHOCKED THE DRAGONBORN.  Arwen fell to her knees and openly wept and Aragorn's attempt at consoling her fell on deaf ears.  Ciri was visibly shaken at the power of Sauron, her face ashen and color drained.  Geralt was concerned for the young Witcher in training and rushed to her side.  Ciri looked at Geralt, tears streaming from her face.  She had not felt her parents or grandparents death, but the brutal execution of the Elf caused her great distress.  Ciri did not know that kind of magic existed.  Geralt looked at the Dragonborn with rage and his hand grabbed the hilt of sword slowly drawing his weapon,  but thought better at seeing the high number of Blades Agents in the room.

"We're leaving" he said loudly.

"But the Dark Lord brought back" Ciri coughed and wiped her mouth "he resurrected someone called Talion."

Aragorn's head snapped to the young girl "The Wraith is alive?"

"Who is Talion" Ciri wanted to know.

"Did you say wraith your majesty" Geralt asked.

"Talion commanded the Rangers that guarded the Black Gate when he and his family were slain by the Black Hand of Sauron.  He took revenge, but was later betrayed by the spirit of the dead Elf that possessed his body.  Talion then later succumbed to the darkness and became one of the Nazgul after bearing Isildur's ring" Aragorn explained.

Geralt looked at the Dragonborn "I can handle Ulfric, but I cannot defeat both Sauron and a Nazgul" he snarled.  "This is madness Dovahkiin.  I will not go to certain death!"

"Dovahkiin, I could see through the Elf's eyes and I saw a massive army of men and Orcs.  There was a massive fortress beneath a red mountain . . ."

"Father.  They're in Morrowind" Kellian said quietly.  "Why would Ulfric and Sauron go to Dagoth Ur?"

"Because of its magical properties.  If Sauron can harness it, he can create a shield around the fortress protecting himself and his army" the Dragonborn said with disgust in his voice.  "With that kind of power, he would be nearly unstoppable."

"And that's why Jaskier, Ciri and I will not be joining you.  I seriously hope you reconsider my friend" Geralt told the Dragonborn.  

"No Geralt" a feminine voice responded as Yennefer stepped through a portal.  "You need to help them.  I'll watch over Ciri while you're gone." Yennefer looked at the Dragonborn and nodded an awknowledgement.

"Yen what are you doing here" Geralt said gruffly.  "You're still recovering from your wounds at Sodden."

"I felt the power of the Dark Lord and came to see if the Dovahkiin needed assistance."

"How do you know the Dragonborn" Delphine asked.

"I don't.  But darkness cannot be allowed to rise unchecked otherwise we are no better than Nilfgaardians."

"Yennefer, the forces of Mordor are the most ruthless you will ever encounter and they have a knowledge of magic that exists before the time of the elves" Aragorn told the mage.

"You must be King Aragorn.  One of the last of the Dunedain.  I always wanted to meet the friend of Mithrandir.  I appreciate the warning, but Skyrim's mages would be hopelessly outmatched." Turning to Geralt "we cannot turn our backs on them."

"And you think you can handle Sauron?  One of the most powerful users of dark magic.  A Maia of terrible power who  slew Gil-Galad, Elendil and countless other elves and men.  A being who won a victory by simply terrifying the populace of Minas Tirith" Arwen added.  "Sauron was trained by the first Dark Lord Morgoth whose knowledge of magic eclipses any mage in this world."

"No.  But if I can keep him . . . occupied it would buy time for the Dovahkiin to destroy Sauron's forces."

"Just one problem.  Sauron is now joined by Ulfric who is his Witch-King and the Nazgul Talion.  Talion is a serious threat because he controls wraith powers and he was a trained Ranger" Aragorn told Yennefer. 

"That is why Geralt will engage the Nazgul." 

"Yen you can be so infuriating at times" Geralt told her his mind slowly changing to joining the Dragonborn.

"Does this mean we're staying" Ciri asked excitedly.

"Yes Ciri" Geralt replied with a sigh.  "But I don't think we'll live long enough to get paid."

THE NEXT MORNING GERALT FOUND CIRI TRAINING WITH BRIANNA.  Daenerys was standing off to the side watching the match, a massive sword slung across her back.  True to her word, the young Nord woman wasn't taking it easy on Ciri and the young Witcher was having difficulty parrying the Blade's attacks.  Geralt winced as Brianna's fist connected with Ciri's jaw and then the Nord delivered a vicious kick to her abdomen.  Ciri fell to the floor, but quickly got back to her feet.  Geralt was impressed with the Akaviri weapon - its speed and grace proving it to be a very lethal instrument.  

"How well do you know the Dragonborn" Daenerys asked him.

"Five years ago I helped him defeat the last elder dragon here in Skyrim.  I also taught him how to use a blade the way a Witcher does.  Brianna seems to use elements of it in her fighting style" he said motioning to the sparring match.

"As his friend, do you think he would be interested in being involved with someone again?"

Geralt looked at her with a disapproving look "Daenerys, we are about to go to war and you want to be romantically involved with the Dovahkiin now?  There is a very strong possibility that we may not survive the battle."

"Everyone who I've loved is either dead or they betrayed me.  The Dragonborn saved my life and protected me and I've slowly come to want him" her revelation causing Geralt to chuckle.  "What's so funny?"

"The Iron Queen and Dovahkiin together would be an interesting match.  You know would become a stepmother."

"I've known Kellian since he fought alongside my forces in Westeros and I've become quite close with Brianna."

Geralt heard and watched as Ciri slam to the floor violently for the second time.  He could see the frustration on Ciri's face and decided to intervene before the Nord did any permanent damage to the young Witcher.

"Brianna, may I take your leave?  Want to go a round?"

A huge smile came across Brianna's face.  "Absolutely" relishing the opportunity to test her skills against a fully trained Witcher.

Before Geralt had time to draw his sword, he felt a kick strike his chin knocking him off balance briefly.  As they crossed Blades, they're battle was fast and violent, each person delivering punches and kicks.  Her skill with a sword was beyond that of Renfri and rivaled that a new Witcher.  Geralt was impressed with her fighting abilities.  She parried his every attack and countered with thrusts and vicious assaults of her own.  Geralt wished that Brianna could continue to mentor the girl, but knew that her duties as a Blade would lead her elsewhere.  

Daenerys noticed the Dragonborn watching the fight and could see the pride on his face as his daughter held her own against the White Wolf.  Daenerys walked over to him and laid her head on his shoulder leaning into him.  The Dragonborn seemed to enjoy her closeness and drew her in and Daenerys loved it.

"Are we going to survive this war" she asked.

"I hope so" the Dragonborn replied softly.