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

Chapter 14 - The Waiting Game

THE DRAGONBORN SLOWLY AND GENTLY PUSHED THE QUICKSILVER WHETSTONE DOWN BOLAR'S OATHBLADE BY THE FIRE.  The five hundred Akaviri Knights had assembled and rode to the border of Morrowind from Sky Haven a week prior.  Despite Daenerys telling him that she wanted to pursue a relationship, the Dragonborn was too consumed with anger from Miraak aligning himself with Sauron to move forward with her.  The Dovahkiin vividly remembered the fight with Miraak and how the fallen Dragonborn nearly made his children orphans.  Geralt brushed Miraak's treachery aside by reminding the Dragonborn that he was the better swordsman, but the Dragonborn of Skyrim couldn't ignore Miraak's own skill with a weapon.  Like himself, Miraak was also a Master of the Thu'um, yet Yennefer said that the Dragonborn would emerge the victor  

Still the Dragonborn was concerned and wanted every advantage.  Along with Bolar's Oathblade, he brought his armor constructed of dragon remains.  Forged after his fight with Miraak, he wanted a set of armor that was nearly industructable.  Geralt and Aragorn were impressed with the armor and were surprised at how light it was.  The Dragonborn told both Geralt and Aragorn he had gift for them after the war, that's if they survived the coming battle.  Adelaisa walked up up to the Dragonborn, out of breath.

"What is it Adelaisa?"

"The Bosmer scouts report that Forsworn have joined with Sauron and Thalmor forces are less than a day from the main encampment with the Imperial Army."

"Why would the Forsworn ally with the Dark Lord?"

"They were promised Markarth and the surrounding territories.  One of the Bosmer took a Forsworn prisoner and he confesed that Sauron would give them that hold and land."

"How many Forsworn have joined his army?"

"Almost all.  A few made a move on Markarth, but they were killed at the gates."

The Forsworn were an inconsequential fighting force and the Dragonborn knew that Sauron was just using them to as pawns.  Against Akaviri steel, they would die a brutal and bloody death.  They were throwing away their lives needlessly.

"I heard about Miraak.  I'm sorry old friend."

"He was going to resurface eventually.  I just didn't expect him to join Sauron."

"We'll stop him" Adelaisa then smiled "but at least you have Daenerys."

"Brianna told you?"

"Everyone could see the way the she looked at you the moment she arrived in Skyrim.  Did you bring an Amulet of Mara with you?"

The Dragonborn changed the subject "what's the Thalmor's strength?"

"Slightly under three thousand with a few surviving Justiciar's."

"Adelaisa, I want you to take Yennefer and ride ahead.  I want her to assume command of the Justiciar's.  If they have a problem, then they'll have to speak with me when we arrive.  With a mage of her power, they shouldn't question her authority since she is a senior member of the Brotherhood of Sorcerers."

"Understood."

Adelaisa turned and disappeared back into the darkness.  With the coming battle, the Dragonborn wondered how many of his friends would survive.  With Sauron, Miraak and Ulfric all wielding powers to some extent, the Dragonborn knew many would fall before Sauron was overthrown.  But something was knawing at the Dragonborn that perhaps finding the Silmarils was not Sauron's only objective.  Perhaps he was attempting to bring back Morgoth himself and the looming battle was the sacrifice to be performed.  If the first Dark Lord returned, then evil would be nearly unstoppable.

 "I know that look" Delphine said "you had it before you fought Alduin in Sovngarde."

"Alduin was strong, but he had nowhere near the power that Sauron wields.  And now he's made himself stronger with Miraak."

"You are the last Dragonborn with all the strength and knowledge of the Dovahkiin of past.  You trained with Geralt of Rivia who is with us.  Miraak will fall before you and beg for mercy."

"I hope you're right."

TALION WALKED THROUGH THE PORTAL AND ENTERED BLACK ROCK.  Ulfric and Miraak were both standing there discussing something and Talion knew that something was off.  Sauron's eyes burned yellow in anger and rage.  He was seething and Talion secretly worried that Sauron knew of his betrayal.  Talion soon had his answer when he felt Sauron begin to dominate his mind trying to overthrow it and bend it to his will.  Talion opened a portal and attempted to escape, but he felt the bite of a Morgul blade in his shoulder.  He stumbled through the portal and found Daenerys in a massive tent cleaning dragon armor.  She was shocked by his sudden appearance.

"Talion!  By the Nine you're hurt.  Let me get the Dragonborn."

"Daenerys, not even his restoration magic can heal me.  I was wounded with a Morgul blade.  Sauron discovered my betrayal and attempted to permanently make me his slave.  If you could, I would like to look upon the king before I pass."

A few minutes passed when Aragorn, Geralt and the Dragonborn entered the tent and found Talion propped against the post bleeding profusly.  His eyes turning blue and he slowly began turning into a Wraith.  Geralt drew Dawnbreaker preparing to put the fallen Ranger out of his misery.

"At last these eyes look upon the Dunedain who sits on throne of Gondor.  The king has returned.  Thank you for bringing him Daenerys.  Do what must be done before I turn."

Aragorn rested his hand on the Ranger's shoulder "thank you for what you have done and I'm sorry that this has befallen on you."

Just as Aragorn removed his hand, Geralt plunged the blade in his chest and then decapitated the wounded human.   An explosion of light as the enchanted blade destroyed the dark magic used in the Morgul blade.  Talion's body was quickly buried as dawn broke over the Akaviri encampment.  His weapons and armor were buried with him and Yennefer placed a spell over his grave protecting it from grave robbers.  A Bosmer courier came in hard and rushed to Delphine and the Dragonborn with a message.  Delphine read the message and she threw the paper on the ground.

"What's the matter" Geralt asked.

 "Uruks and Haradrim routed the Thalmor in the Black Marsh.  The Justiciars and few managed to escape and are heading to the main encampment.  Nearly three thousand badly needed troops were killed" she explained. "Abandon everything that cannot be worn or carried!  We ride in an hour" she ordered.

The Akaviri mounted their horses and rode hard toward the coming fight.  Daenerys rode by the Dragonborn's side silently vowing to fight alongside and if need be die for him.  For all the bloodshed she caused in Westeros, perhaps stopping Sauron and his minions was her way of atoning for all the deaths she was responsible for.  Daenerys knew the battle would be bloodier and more brutal than anything she had witnessed and hoped that she and the Dovahkiin would have a future and perhaps even children.  If stopping Sauron was the price of her redemption, then she would gladly pay it.