The Stormcloak King - A Rise of the Dark Lords Tale

Chapter 6 - Paradise Lost

THE AKAVIRI KNIGHT LOOKED UPON IN SURPRISE AND TERROR AS HE WATCHED THE SWORD EVISICERATE HIS BELLY. His innards spilled the ground as the White Walker slowly pulled his weapon from his body. The Night King watched in amusement as the corpse twitched in convulsions. The contingent of White Walkers led by the Night King could not locate the hidden passage to Rivendell, but found the river lightly guarded. The few Akaviri guarding the river were taken by surprise and slain without little resistance. The Night King was told that Rivendell was well defended and should be wary of a trap. As his small army slowly forded the river, a flaming arrow was fired above of him and he knew he was led into an ambush.

A volley of arrows felled dozens of his men and they rose only to be felled again with another volley. The Night King was impressed with the Akaviri's accuracy and precision. The archers in Westeros were nowhere near as disciplined. Each arrow had struck a mortal wound – only his troops were not normal. The rate of fire increased as his army finally crossed the river only to be met by a massive wall of flame. Rage and frustration surged in the Night King as the wind carried the smell of burning flesh to his nose. He had been warned that a former Thalmor Justiciar named Maius who was skilled in magic, was stationed at Rivendell and should not be underestimated. Lightning erupted and more of his troops exploded – their blood splashing his face and armor.

A horn sounded and several great Nord war cries exploded from the trees as the sound of hundreds of swords and war axes were heard being drawn. Akaviri warriors emerged from the tree line charging the White Walkers – the lust for combat in their eyes. To his surprise, the Night King watched as the Akaviri expertly dispatch some of his stoutest fighters. They had learned their lesson, for they proceeded to decapitate the fallen soldiers. He watched one Akaviri Knight cut the sword arm off his battle captain, and then in the next motion cut the White Walker clean in half. The Night King recognized him from Hardhome and was later told that he was an Akaviri Knight from Skyrim and his father was the Dragonborn. Kellian was his name and was powerful warrior, skilled bladesman, close friend to Jon Snow – and commander of the Akaviri fortress in Middle-earth.

As the battle dragged into the night, the Akaviri were slowly pushed back into their stronghold and the Night King beheld the gates of the former Eldar city. The remaining Akaviri were putting up strong resistance thanks to Maius. As the Akaviri fought the White Walkers and some of their turned comrades, the Night King found himself facing Kellian who was drenched in the blood of his turned comrades. He could see the pain and fury in Kellian's eyes and watched as the young man drew a sword from across his back that radiated magic.

"This blade was forged by the Daedric prince Meridia. This is Dawnbreaker and was used by Geralt of Rivia to defeat Talion, who was a thrall of the Dark Lord Sauron" Keliian snarled pointing the weapon at the throat of Night King. "In the name of my father the Dragonborn, you will die here Night King. You didn't think I wouldn't recognize you. You who led the massacre at Hardhome."

"Nay, I will not suffer that fate today Kellian. It is you who will be defeated. Already, your Akaviri Knights are spent. Their blood soaks this sacred ground or they have become Lord Ulfric's servants. It is you who will serve a special purpose. I will not fall this day, it is you" as the Night King slashed at Kellian with his sword.

Kellian parried with his katana it's blade shattering, but the parry was a feint as he spun quicker than the Night King could react. The Night King felt the Daedric weapon plunge into his back, its searing heat sending agony through his body. The Night King stepped forward, forcibly removing the weapon from his body. Kellian discarded his broken katana and continued the duel with Dawnbreaker. The Night King was irritated that Daedric steel was similar in construction to Valyrian metal work for Dawnbreaker's blade never broke. Although gravely wounded, the Night King continued to battle with son of the Dragonborn who gave ground and led him into the ancient Elven city and into Elrond's former palace.  Gil-Galad's spear Aeglos hanging on the wall in honor of the prior occupants.

The Night King's fist connected with Kellian's jaw and the Akakviri commander countered with a savage spin kick - the armored boot catching the White Walker leader in the solar plexus.  Kellian followed with by smashing his enemy in the face with the hilt of the Daedric weapon.  The Night King feinted falling and when Kellian pressed the attack, the Night King reached and attempted to turn the Akaviri commander.  Instead of Kellian's eyes turning blue, the Night King watched as the young Nord was violently flung backward.  He watched in frustration as Maius had used telekenetic powers to prevent the turn. 

"Why did you do that Maius" Kellian roared in anger. "The bastard forced me to kill many of my own soldiers."

"Because he was trying to turn you into a White Walker Kellian!  Come.  We must leave.  The fortress is taken.  We must regroup with the other surviving Akaviri." Kellian at first took a few steps to reengage the Night King, but Maius grabbed his arm.

"No!  Kellian you must not.  He is too strong.  Adelaisa and the others are waiting" the former Justiciar pleaded.

Kellian stared at the Night King and pointed Dawnbreaker at the Night King "this isn't finished.  What started at Hardhome will end with your death" he said mounting a horse.

The Night King reached for Aeglos and threw the fabled weapon that had taken the lives of so many orcs during the War of the Last Alliance.  The spear slammed into the mosaic of Isildur cutting the One Ring off the hand of the Dark Lord Sauron.  The Night King pried the weapon from the mosiac and examined it and remembered that the spear was like his own weapon.  I think I shall keep this and use it against my enemies and when the time is right, Ulfric shall taste its blade.  Long has the spear of Gil-Galad thirsted for blood.  Turning to what remained of his White Walkers the Night King gestured to Rivendell.

"Burn it."

Kellian, Maius, Adeliasa and the few surviving Akaviri Knights retreated to the coast.  Kellian, furious at losing the ancient Elven city he was entrusted with.  He turned and watched as the flames began to burn brighter and brighter and Rivendell was destroyed in a hell of Ulfric's making.  Kellian swore that he would rebuild Rivendell and recover the lost spear that belongs with Arwen and Aragorn.  But first he needed to make it back to Tamriel and report the loss of the stronghold and the return of the Night King.