Brotherhood

Serana and all the Companions were waiting for Aela and I as we arrived back into Falkreath two days later, the sun already starting to disappear over the horizon. Aela was sat on my horse in front of me and was still in a bad way, though she wasn't going to die. I received a number of questions that I had to ignore as I tied up my horse before gently lifting Aela from the horse and carried her inside. Once I had her settled in bed, she opened her eyes and smiled at me.

"Thank you, Ragnar."

I just kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Closing the door behind me, I grabbed a tankard of ale from the innkeeper before joining everyone at the row of tables. Once I'd taken drunk nearly the entirely tankard in one go, I set it down and gestured for the questions to continue.

"So, what happened?" Farkas asked, "Is she cured?"

"She is."

"What happened to her? Your letter didn't say?" Vilkas wondered.

"If you've spoken to any of the locals, you'll know about the little girl." I looked around the table, receiving numerous nods of the head. "The man involved was a werewolf. We tracked him down and Aela fought him. That's when she was injured. And, I guess that's what made up her mind about finally being cured."

"So the Companions are now completely clean," Serana stated as fact.

"We are. The blood that infected us is no longer. Even Aela will now join us in Sovngarde." I finished my tankard before asking, "Any news on finding the Dark Brotherhood?"

"Not yet. I have a bad feeling it's hiding in plain sight, we just haven't recognised it," Serana replied.

"We'll find it, Harbinger," Farkas stated.

"I know. Now that I'm back, as soon as anyone finds anything, they're to return to let me know. We'll then establish a plan. But, right now, I'm going to bed. It's been a long few days."

I grabbed Serana by the hand and escorted her to one of the rooms I'd rented, closing the door behind us. I obviously had a look in my eye as she simply kissed me, stepped back and started disrobing. I quickly did the same thing.

"Anyone would think you had missed me, husband."

"Uh-huh," I stated as I wrapped my arms around her again.

She smirked. "Someone is excited to see me."

"I haven't been with my wife in a number of days," I stated before kissing her once again.

A couple of hours later, my appetite for the wife well and truly sated, Serana snuggling into me like usual once the act was complete, we simple lay back and chatted about nothing of any real importance. She asked one or two questions about my journey up north again, while I asked what she'd been up to while I was gone. As there were no secrets between us, I figured I should probably tell her what Aela shared at the tomb.

"Aela told me something while we were away."

"That she's in love with you."

I turned to look at my wife. "How did you know?"

"A woman knows these things, Ragnar."

"And it doesn't bother you?"

"Why should it? You are married to me. You are in love with me. I am in love with you. We are faithful to each other. In fact, I know you are incredibly faithful to me, Ragnar."

"What makes you say that?"

"Lydia told me about the list." I groaned as my wife just chuckled to herself. "Yet you chose me, even when I was a vampire. You chose me, even when you thought you could never be with me. You chose me…"

I shrugged. "I didn't just 'choose' you. From the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to be with you forever."

She kissed me on the cheek. "Ditto." She wrapped an arm around my chest again. "So, trust me on this, husband. I don't think I'll ever have a reason to be jealous as I know you'll only ever have eyes for me."

"Particularly if I have the opportunity to do what we've just done every day."

"Every day?" she stated in a tone I knew well, turning my head to meet her eyes.

"Well, I hope so."

"So, are we talking once a day? Twice? More?"

"Breakfast, lunch and dinner?"

She leaned in closer to me, her lips nearly on mine. "One would think you can't get enough of me," she whispered.

"Honestly, I can't. If it wasn't for the fact I know we can't stay in bed all day, I'd never want to leave. I mean, I don't really like having to be apart from you for more than a day. I do it because I have to."

She just smiled. "Well, I'm not planning on going anywhere for a while. What about you?"

"I have no plans. What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that I want to make love to my husband until the morning. How does that sound?"

My wife was still asleep when I wandered out of our bedroom late the next morning, whistling to myself as I grabbed a plate and helped myself to some breakfast. I took a seat across from the twins, next to Mjoll and Lydia. The four of them just looked at me and burst into laughter.

"Good night, my Thane?"

"Exhausting."

The twins snickered as I noticed even Mjoll blushed. "Kind of glad I moved out now," Lydia added.

"Honestly, we were glad too. Not a surface has remained untouched."

The twins burst into laughter. "Were you like this with Aela?" Farkas wondered.

"We didn't live together, so privacy was a problem, but we enjoyed each other's company at the time."

"Speaking of Aela, I did what I could to help overnight," Lydia stated to explain, "Her wounds look a little better than when she arrived. But one or two cuts were quite deep. It would take someone with a lot more training to heal them. Or it will just take the passage of time."

I nodded. "As long as she's out of the woods, then she'll be fine. I'll just order her to take it easy if necessary."

"Your orders today?" Farkas asked.

"Orders?"

The twins both shrugged. "You're back and running things. Plus, everyone was wondering if you had any ideas about trying to find this place."

"The khajit only said it was located in the woods here somewhere."

"Is it possible he was lying?" Vilkas asked.

I shared a glance with Serana. "No. He was telling the truth."

"He was given a little something to ensure that," Serana added.

"There's not a lot else I can tell you. But, as Serana suggested, it's possibly hiding in plain sight. It's also possible someone has already wandered past it. The only other suggestion is to keep your eyes sharp and report absolutely anything."

"Could it be in a cave?" Mjoll wondered.

I shrugged. "No idea. But I don't think so." I looked around, noticing all the Companions sat around us but we were missing two others. "Where are Vex and Delvin?"

"They chose to camp out," Lydia replied.

"Why's that?"

"Despite everything, Vex is still a little… cautious around others," Lydia explained. I just nodded, understanding what she meant. I know I had Vex's loyalty but she wasn't going to be anyone's friend.

"Any other correspondence?"

"You mean from the Empire?" I nodded. "Nothing so far. Are you expecting anything?"

"No. Just want to hear news on whether the General has made his mind up about Winterhold."

"I've heard rumours they are now effectively blockading Windhelm's harbour," Farkas reported, "Plenty of rumours that the Empire has sent a number of other warships north."

"Aye, and reports also suggest the Empire is starting to move its army to start blocking routes in and out of the Hold," Vilkas added.

"They're going to try and starve them out," I muttered, shaking my head.

"You don't agree?" Serana asked.

I couldn't help the sigh. "I know sieges usually work. Why sacrifice thousands of soldiers when you can eventually just starve the enemy into submission? But a lot of innocent people behind those walls will probably die instead. I'd rather force Ulfric to meet us on the field and we'll decide the war there. Win the war with honour. Or, at least, that's what I think."

After breakfast, everyone except Serana and I headed out to continue the search for the Dark Brotherhood. I wasn't involved, simply because I was in charge, and quite frankly, had other things to do. Serana said she would tend to Aela as she could certainly assist with further healing if required.

I was busy reading over a number of Companion contracts, deciding whether they actually had time for any, considering they were effectively part of my personal army in the war, when a pair of town guard entered the inn, making a beeline straight for me. I'd barely noticed their presence upon entering, only looking up from the paper in my hand when one of the guards cleared his throat.

"Yes?"

"The Jarl would like to see you, Dragonborn."

That made me turn my eyes towards the guard. "You know who I am?"

"Of course we do."

I shrugged, figuring the presence of everyone here would have drawn some attention. I then asked "May I ask what the Jarl wants? I don't really have time to take on any other work at the moment."

"He just wants to meet the Dragonborn, perhaps invite you to dinner this evening."

"Very well," I stated, putting the papers in a pile, "Give me a couple of minutes and I'll go see him."

I found Serana sitting next to Aela. My fellow Companion was awake and appeared to be in better spirits, the pair looking my way as I approached before I sat down on the edge of the bed. I told them what I was up to, and suggested to Serana that, as my wife, she would also find herself invited to dinner with the Jarl, if it happened. She joked about not having a thing to wear, before suggesting she would be fine with the idea.

The Jarl was younger than I expected, asking me plenty of questions about the Dragon Crisis, my involvement with the Companions and also what I thought about the civil war. Whether I answered how he wanted or not, I'm not sure, but considering I did find myself invited to dinner that night, I guess I must have impressed him in some way.

In addition to the Jarl, I also spent a little time chatting with the Legion representative residing at the Jarl's longhouse. I was left with the sense that the man was bored beyond belief, complaining that he had seen little real action, though he was responsible for all troop movements throughout the Hold, so was an important man nonetheless. He did ask about my involvement in the war, regaling him with stories to do with the Battle of Whiterun and then the capture of Riften, skipping over certain details regarding my involvement with the Thieves Guild.

That evening, Serana and I joined the Jarl and some local dignitaries for dinner. The Companions had been invited, but they all turned down the invite, politely enough though there were enough jokes about the Harbinger dining with yet another Jarl to last a lifetime. I just laughed them off as I wandered hand in hand with my wife through town towards the longhouse.

Dinner was exquisite, the Jarl's hunters having been sent out to snag an elk. The table was otherwise full of plenty of fruit and vegetables, in addition to other forms of meat and potatoes, while for dessert were a couple of pies. The Jarl regaled us with stories of growing up and his life as a Jarl. Absolutely nothing exciting, but I was polite enough not to yawn too frequently. Serana was a delight, showing no end of interest in any story, though spending plenty of time waxing lyrical about the adventures we had shared too.

We departed late. Very late. I'd been sensible during the meal, only consuming a couple of tankards. Serana, though. After walking no more than five metres, I had to collect my staggering wife in my arms to carry her the rest of the way, her drunken coos of 'My hero' echoing around the quiet town. She was out like a light once I had her placed under the covers of our bed. Although late, I wasn't feeling tired, so figured I'd check on Aela.

She was awake as I quietly rapt on her door, hearing her call for me to enter. She smiled at me as I approached. "Late night?" she asked, clearly amused.

"Yeah, someone is a little drunk and is now passed out."

"A little? I think they probably heard her in Whiterun." I groaned as she laughed. "Does she always call you that?"

"What?"

"Her hero."

I just grinned, albeit smugly. "She doesn't have to. I know I am."

"And not just to her. I think that's the second time you've saved my life, Ragnar."

I leaned across and grabbed her hand. "And I'll save it a third, fourth and fifth time if necessary." She just smiled at my words. "How are you feeling? You know, without the blood?"

"It's quiet. But… I don't feel lonely anymore."

"I had no idea it would feel that bad. So you still think you've made the right choice?"

"Absolutely. Which is why I now feel confident in asking one simple question."

"And what question is that?"

She squeezed my hand. "Tell me of Sovngarde. Tell me everything."

I just smiled and settled myself into the chair, dragging it across until it was against her bed. We talked, well, I talked, until rather early into the morning, telling her everything that I could remember. Aela eventually slept, a broad grin lighting up her face as I blew out the candle and headed to bed.

*****

"This has to be it, Ragnar," Vex whispered.

"How many have you seen come and go?" I asked.

"Three. That's why we never came back. We've watched for the past two nights. If this place isn't it, then it simply isn't anywhere around here."

"There is one problem, though," Delvin added, looking at me as I gestured for him to continue, "There's a door. It's… weird looking. And we're both of little doubt it can't be opened normally."

"Ideas?" I asked.

"We watch, wait then grab one of them," Vex replied.

"And then what?" Serana wondered.

"We have them escort us inside. Then we take care of business," Vex replied.

"We just slaughter them?" Farkas asked.

Vex looked at me, a questioning glance. I looked at Farkas and just nodded. Farkas met my eyes and I thought was going to say something. Instead, he returned my nod, obviously understanding.

"There will be no honour in fighting the Dark Brotherhood," Serana muttered.

"I didn't think you cared about such things?"

"I know you do, Ragnar."

I just smiled at her. "Okay, Vex, Delvin. Keep an eye on the door. Farkas, get the rest of the Companions and dot them around this door. I want eyes on this door all day and night. Once you grab someone, come and get me and we'll decide what to do from there."

I didn't think we'd capture anyone quickly, which is why I was surprised to see Ria return the next day, asking for Serana and I to follow her. I wondered why she wanted my wife to follow too, though didn't question the request, simply strapping my sheathed sword to my belt and followed her. The doorway was a good ten-minute walk from Falkreath, amazed it was so close but, considering how secluded it was, little wonder it took us so long to find it. I was left wondering how often the scouts had wandered past the entrance without realising it.

Vex and Delvin had made a small camp about a kilometre from the entrance. All the Companions, Circle or otherwise, were standing towards the edge of the camp. Near the small fire sat Delvin and Vex, both armed and ready to pounce. But it was what I saw sat in the middle of the camp that brought me to a halt, looking at Ria, no doubt confusion across my face.

"She's not what she appears," Ria stated simply, "Your wife will understand within five seconds."

Even I understood what she meant upon seeing the face of the young girl currently under guard, hands fastened tightly behind her back, gag in her mouth. I looked at my wife and was a little surprised to see she was upset, only showing me the emotion before her face turned blank upon turning away.

The girl was sat on a tree stump. There was a couple of spare chairs Vex or Delvin must have grabbed them from the inn. Serana sat in front of the little girl, who was doing her best to appear completely innocent. I took a seat to the side, gesturing for the two Companions standing nearby to sheathe their weapons.

"How old are you?" Serana asked, once she'd removed the gag.

"10," replied the little girl, "How old are you?"

"I can only guess but I'd say a few hundred years old at least."

"How is that possible? You don't look that old."

"Because I used to be just like you."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a frightened little girl."

Serana then reached out and slapped her. "Tell me again how old you are."

"I just told you, I'm ten years old. I don't even know…" Before she could finish, Serana slapped her again. Harder. This provoked a minor reaction. "I wouldn't do that again," the little girl warned, voice low and full of menace.

Serana just smirked. "Or what?" She raised a hand and the change in the little girl's face was instantaneous.

"Shor's Bones, she's really is a…" Lydia started to exclaim before trailing off.

"How old are you?" Serana asked again.

The little girl shrugged. "I'm not sure anymore. Around three hundred years or so."

"Damn," I mutter quietly.

"How many are inside?"

"How many what?"

The slap echoed across the otherwise silent forest. This time the little girl growled, only quick thinking on my part stopping her from doing something incredibly stupid. She continued to struggle against my hold for a few seconds, her face now that of nothing but a vampire, as she hurled obscenities at my wife. Serana, to her credit, simply looked on amused as I finally placed the little girl back on her stump.

"Don't do anything you will regret," I warned.

She looked at me, eyes as red as Serana's used to be. "Or what?"

"Or you'll find yourself without a head. You may look like a little girl but I know what you really are. Trust me, I'll have no problem using this," I finished, gesturing to the sword at my hip.

"You wouldn't dare?" the girl asked, though there was a change in tone. Not of outright fear, more concern.

"You're a vampire. I kill vampires for fun."

With the threat to life clearly established, I remained standing nearby as Serana said, "Okay, we'll try this a second time. How many are inside? And, trust me on this, little one, I will know if you're lying."

"Eight. There are eight of us."

"Are they all inside now?"

The little girl shrugged. "I don't know. I was returning from a contract when you grabbed me. But there are usually five of us inside at any one time."

"Are you aware of what happened to the Listener?"

She turned to me upon hearing the question. "Considering he hasn't returned from his last mission, we can only assume he's dead. Therefore, I can only assume one of you is Ragnar Dragonborn."

I theatrically bowed. "Otherwise known as The Dragonborn. You know, saviour of the world, slayer of Alduin."

"Astrid was right," the little girl muttered.

"What do you mean?" Serana asked.

The little girl looked between us before shrugging, I guess to herself, having made up her mind about something. "Astrid is the leader of this Dark Brotherhood chapter. Or, at least, she was until the Night Mother was brought here from Cyrodil. She arrived a couple of months ago. But Astrid never trusted the Night Mother, nor the jester that brought her here."

"Jester?" I asked, unable to hold back my chuckle.

The little girl shrugged again. "That's what he is. He's the one that looked after the Night Mother. None of us trust him, though."

Interesting… "Why is that?" I pondered.

"He's weird, that's all. He's almost obsessed with the body. And he's always talking to it."

"Sounds like an utter whackjob," Farkas muttered through his chuckles nearby.

"How do we get in?" Serana asked.

"You need to know a certain phrase to have the door opened. And no, I'm not giving it to you. Do whatever you want, but I'm not betraying my family."

Serana looked at me as I burst into laughter. "Family? You're a bunch of cutthroat assassins."

"We're more loyal to each other than any army or organisation, or any guild that you could think of. Nearly any other family. We are everything to each other." She then turned and glared at me. "And I will not betray them."

Serana then glanced in my direction. "So what do we do?"

I unsheathed my dagger. "Kill her."

Nearly everyone looked at me upon uttering those words, a few uncomfortable shuffles, one or two mouths opened, probably to object, before closing again. "She's a vampire, she's not a little girl. She said she was nearly three hundred years old. Are we going to let her live?"

"Maybe we could just hand her over to the authorities?" Vilkas suggested.

"And what do you think they'll do?"

"We can cure her," Serana stated adamantly.

"How?" Then I thought for five seconds. "Oh… Are you sure?"

"I'll need you to come with me, Ragnar. Simply to keep an eye on her. We'll need to travel to Morthal and find the same person who cured me."

"What do we do with her afterwards?" I wondered.

"I understand the orphanage is Riften is under new management. We can take her there."

We escorted the little girl to Falkreath, throwing her in jail. The guards were a little nonplussed about us throwing a little girl into jail until we explained what she was. There were plenty of mentions about 'patrol routes' after that, so I offered to take first watch, allowing the others to get some rest, while Vex and Delvin offered to continue watching the Dark Brotherhood entrance, just in case they could nab someone else.

Serana and I were on horseback first thing the next morning, the young vampire with hands tied behind her back and in front of Serana. I rode behind my wife, keeping watch in the event the young girl somehow managed to get free. We rode hard and fast, not stopping for even a short rest, and we were on the outskirts of Morthal just as the sun was disappearing over the horizon.

"Who are we looking for?"

"Redguard by the name of Falion," Serana replied, "He should be at home."

"And what do we have to do?"

"Nothing, Ragnar. Keep an eye on the girl. I'll go talk to him."

As Serana knocked on the front door of a nearby house, I dismounted my horse and grabbed the little girl. She had said little during our journey, though we had learned of her name at least. At least she'd stopped fighting, almost resigned to whatever we were going to do next. I received one or two curious looks from passers-by, until a guard finally approached, asking why I was holding a little girl with her hands and ankles tied up. I was honest and explained exactly what she was.

"What are you doing with her?" the guard asked, taking two cautious steps backward.

"Sorting it out."

"How?"

"I think there's a cure. Someone in town can help."

The guard was silent for a moment before nodding. "That'll be Falion. We always wonder what he's doing out there in the marshes. Guess that could explain it."

I just shrugged. "I have no idea. But the hope is that we can cure this little girl. But, while she's still a vampire, everyone is in danger."

"I'll leave you to it, Dragonborn. Just stay safe."

I nodded silently, watching him walk away, as I heard Serana call me from the doorway nearby. Dragging the little girl along, I entered the house to be greeted by Falion, standing behind a counter, though he approached with hand outstretched, accepting his offered hand once I had the little vampire secured to a chair. We made simple chit-chat before broaching the reason why we were there. Once we explained everything, he simply nodded and said, "Meet me back here just before dawn. I'll keep an eye on the little girl until then."

Serana and I took one of the spare rooms in the local inn, both of us collapsing into bed after sharing a meal. We agreed to sleep in shifts, so we wouldn't be late. Serana let me sleep first, getting no more than a couple of hours before I was awake anyway. Serana fell asleep not long after I woke up. I wandered outside to find Morthal deserted, only a couple of lights from guards still on patrol.

Once the night sky started to change, I headed inside, woke Serana, and we headed out. Falion was already waiting for us, the four of us quickly heading into the marsh, Serana and I carrying a torch each to light the way as Falion instructed us. We arrived at a strange looking landmark after a fifteen-minute walk.

"Before you ask, it's a summoning circle, Ragnar," Serana explained at my curious look. I could have asked more questions, but to be honest, it wasn't important. And, before either myself or Serana could say a word, Falion knocked out the little girl.

"It will be much easier this way," he said, lying the little girl on the circle.

"What do we need to do?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just stand back out of the circle." Serana and I took a couple of steps back, my wife immediately grabbing my hand, as Falion raised his hands to the heavens as he continued.

"I call upon Oblivion realms. The home of those who are not our ancestors. Answer my plea!

As in death there is new life, in Oblivion there is a beginning for that which has ended.

I call forth that power! Accept the soul that we offer!

As the sun ends the night, end the darkness of this soul, return life to the creature you see before you!"

The scream that escaped the little girls mouth sent a shiver down my spine and no doubt echoed across the length and breadth of Skyrim. I glanced at Serana, who met my eyes, and I could only drag her towards me and hug her. "I had no idea," I whispered.

I heard the smile in her tone as she replied, "Because I knew you'd only worry. But the pain was momentary to the bliss of finally being free."

We turned back towards Falion, who was now gently shaking awake the little girl. She woke up after a couple of minutes, and the change in her demeanour was immediate, and obvious. "She's cured," he announced. The little girl looked at us, and we were greeted by a pair of blue eyes. "What will you do with her?"

"The orphanage in Riften will be the best place for her," I suggested.

"Very well. If you wish, I can take her there. I require ingredients, many of which I can only get from Elgrim. I can leave by lunchtime."

"That would be a great help, Falion," Serana replied, "Ragnar and I must return to Falkreath as soon as possible."

I offered my hand. "You have my thanks for helping." Falion shook my hand, bowing his head at the same time.

After Serana said her goodbyes, we left Falion to deal with the little girl and walked back into town. The sun was still barely over the horizon, so we mounted our horses and quickly rode out of Morthal, the only discussion now about how to end the Dark Brotherhood, once and for all.