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

Chapter 16 - The Dark Lord

SAURON MADE AN MASSIVE SWIPE WITH THE GREAT IRON MACE CAUSING DAENERYS, GERALT AND THE DRAGONBORN TO JUMP OUT OF RANGE.  Sauron made a gesture with his left hand sending Geralt and Daenerys tumbling to the edge of the ramparts.  Geralt hung over the edge and managed to pull himself up.  The Dark Lord smiled then opening several Oblivion gates on the battlefield and one in front of Geralt and Daenerys.  Hundreds of Dremora Kynreeve poured out of the gates engaging the victorious Nord, Akaviri and Imperial troops.  Geralt's eyes opened wide in surprise at the sight of the Daedra troops.  The Dragonborn had told him about Daedra and how physically strong they were, but his description didn't do justice.  They were stronger than the Kikimore and more violent.  Daenerys was busy battling her own Daedra while Geralt had a three on one match.

Sauron began using his considerable powers against the Dragonborn using an assortment of lightning and fireballs.  He also attempted to bend the Dovahkiin to his will, but that failed.   The Dragonborn defended himself with wards, but his strength was slowly beginning to fade as the fallen Maia overpowered him.  As the Dragonborn fell to his knees, Sauron stood over Dragonborn raising his mace for the killing blow.  Daenerys seeing the Dragonborn in peril drove her sword through the chest of a Daedra, desperate to rescue the man she loved.  

"Did you really believe you could defeat me?  One who was here at the beginning.  I'm immortal you fool."

The Dragonborn looked at the Dark Lord and simply replied with the most powerful shout at his disposal.

"FUS RO DAH!"

The impact of the Unrelenting Force Shout at such close range sent Sauron crashing through the stone wall of Black Rock and he fell over the side falling landing on his feet.  Daenerys had never seen the Dragonborn use the Thu'um before and the power of the Voice astonished her.  His son had told her of the power of the Thu'um, but she never fully believed it.  No wonder why dragons fear him she thought to herself.  The Dovahkiin followed Sauron and was upon the Dark Lord in seconds and unleashed a second shout.

"HUN KAAL ZOOR"  and the heroes of Sovngarde who defeated Alduin the first time appeared from Sovngarde alongside the Dragonborn drawing their weapons.  Sauron then proceeded to alter the shape of Morrowind and called more Daedra from Oblivion where the heroes of Sovngarde cut them down like grass.  The Dragonborn moved like the wind as he reengaged Sauron with the Oathblade, cutting Sauron's mace in half.  The Dark Lord realizing for the first time that he had met an opponent far deadlier than any foe since the First Age and he opened a portal to retreat.  The Dragonborn refusing to let Sauron escape to fight another day, drew a dagger and threw it in the Maia's leg wounding him.

Sauron screamed more in annoyance as the portal closed before him, but the Dark Lord had one more weapon in his arsenal.  As the Dragonborn slowly walked toward, he sent another brilliant lightning attack against the Dovahkiin.  The Dragonborn raised his hand catching it and sent the lightning crashing into a Daedra obliterating it.  But the attack was a feint for Sauron drew a Morgul blade and plunged it deep in the Dragonborn's leg.  The Dovahkiin could feel the poison and dark magic trying to overthrow his mind, but the Dragonborn ignored the wound ripping the blade from his leg and threw the weapon aside.  Grabbing Sauron by the hair, the Dragonborn drove the Oathblade to its hilt in the Maia's chest and slowly pulled it out and then decapitated the Dark Lord.  Looking at Sauron's body he simply said. 

"Vokul Fen Mah" (Evil Will Fall)    

Feeling the effects of the Morgul blade, the Dragonborn dropped his sword and fell to the ground.  Daenerys seeing the Dragonborn fall rushed to his side.  Seeing that he was near passing into shadow, Daenerys screamed at Geralt to do something.  But this was beyond his skill and only Arwen possessed the knowledge to heal such a wound.  Daenerys looked to the heavens and begged the Nine would take her life in order for the Dragonborn to live.  She didn't want his children to live without their father.  Strangely a being appeared before their neither Geralt or Daenerys recognized.  But it was apparent that he was a celestial being for he had a glow about him and a crown of pure silver was upon his head.  He bent over and touched the wound and it was instantly healed.  The Dragonborn gasped a breath of air and Daenerys weeped tears of joy.  She looked at the being and thanked him.

"The Dovahkiin defeated a foe that has plagued the Valar for thousands of years and you volunteered to die in his stead.  I Eru Iluvatar witnessed your bravery and willingness to sacrifice.  Like Luthien and Arwen, Daenerys Targaryen you were willing to make the great journey.  For your reward, the Dragonborn will live free of the wound and you will be granted a long life."

Touching her on the forehead, Daenerys felt new life breathed in her and she felt the dark magic leave her body as well.

"Despite all the evil I did prior to meeting the Dovahkiin, you still chose to forgive me.  Thank you."

"You chose the road of redemption and the path to Valinor will be available to you if you chose it when the time comes" looking at the Dragonborn who was slowly regaining his strength and now standing "Many battles lay ahead for you Dovahkiin and many more will fall to your blade, but you will find the peace you seek.  In time you will once again say the name your father gave you, but for now you are the Dovahkiin."

Aragorn startled at the sight of Eru Iluvatar took a knee and bowed his head in respect.  Eru touched his shoulder gently and then disappeared.  Brianna was shocked at how close her father had come to becoming a thrall of Sauron.  But when pressed on did they find Ulfric, Aragorn explained he was nowhere to be found in the castle.  The Dragonborn looked at the field of dead and wounded Nords, Imperials and Sauron's army.

"The price was high for our victory, but Middle-earth, Tamriel, the Northern Kingdoms and Westeros are now safe" the Dragonborn said slipping his hand into Daenerys's.

"Are we going after Ulfric for his treachery papa" Brianna asked.

"When we find Ulfric, he will pay with his life for his betrayal."

LITTLE DID THE DRAGONBORN AND HIS COMPANIONS KNOW THAT ULFRIC HAD BEEN WATCHING EVENTS UNFOLD FROM SKULDAFN WITH A PALANTIR.  Angered that his Master had been overthrown and Miraak slain, he picked up the seeing stone and threw it on the floor of the ruined dragon temple destroying it.  His eyes burning yellow as he made the transformation.  Looking at the scores of Stormcloaks who now bowed before him he addressed them.

"The time of the Dragonborn of Skyrim is over!  The time of the first Dark Lord of Tamriel has come!"

The Stormcloaks cheered as Ulfric wore his new title like a warm blanket and savored the adulation like a fine drink.  The great dragon Ancalagon reared his black head and roared fire in approval.  Ulfric couldn't help but smile at the thought of Tamriel bowing to him and the Dragonborn falling to his newly resurrected dragon.  But he would have to be patient and not make the same mistakes that Sauron made.