Chapter 51 -- The Bow
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Serana and I agreed that there was no time to lose. We had our next objective, Darkfall Cave. I consulted my map and tried to remember what I'd seen from the Scroll. "There, to the west. I know there's an Orc stronghold in the region. We'll have to skirt that and find the entrance."
"Should we just head straight there?"
I checked our supplies on the back of our horses. "I'm sure we have enough food to last a couple more days. But the sooner we solve this issue, the better. We've managed to remain a step ahead of your father so far, but our luck will run out eventually if we keep pushing it."
Having spent an entire day relaxing with each other, we set off sharing a good mood, though I'm sure it disappeared once we were an hour into our ride and the weather closed in. The rain was little more than drizzle, but the wind was howling and it just turned into a grey, miserable day. We made good progress but still had to camp that evening, no rain but the wind still beating down on us. Having enjoyed two enjoyable nights together, we didn't need a verbal agreement that all we wanted that night was to snuggle under the furs to try and keep warm. Well, keep myself warm. Serana didn't really feel the cold.
We passed a Forsworn camp the next morning, not overly concerned if they saw us or not. Considering who I was and the power Serana could wield, we'd handle a few of them. Or bandits. Or even the Orcs if they decided to be feisty. Turning off the only road in the area, I led the way and it was perhaps blind luck that we eventually found the entrance to the cave we needed. This region of Skyrim was spectacular, and I watched Serana take it all in. She made one or two general comments about how pretty it all was, but I think she was still just taking enjoyment from the fact she was no longer in that tomb.
Dismounting and tying our horses to the nearest tree, we approached the entrance to the cave.
"Dark," Serana muttered, "I'm tired of fumbling through the darkness."
"Do you really think the bow is simply in this cave? I'm not particularly convinced this is the resting place."
She shrugged. "Unlikely. What do you think?"
"I have a feeling this won't be easy."
"When is it ever easy?"
"Hmph. Point taken. Shall we?"
"Let's go."
Unsheathing my sword, shield attached to my forearm as always, I led the way in, Serana finding a torch and lighting it to help guide our way. There was no sign anyone had been in the cave for eons, no campsite outside to suggest adventurers were inside, and nothing inside the cave itself to suggest there were recent visitors. Coming to a rickety looking bridge, I glanced at Serana and shrugged. It was the only way ahead.
Should have known better, of course. We were not even halfway across when the bridge simply gave way. I think it would have done so even if only one of us was crossing, so it was perhaps lucky that we were both on the bridge. Thankfully, we landed in water rather than on the ground, chilled to the bone immediately as it was freezing, and we were sent tumbling the gods only knew where. I definitely collided with more than one rock, so that by the time the current subsided and I could drag myself to shore, I was feeling rather sorry for myself, collapsing on my back, Serana managing to clamber out of the water and collapsing next to me.
"Well, that was fun," she stated sarcastically.
We moved on, following the river as it was the only way forward. This section of the cave wasn't empty, dealing with a few spiders along the way, Serana and I combining our fire skills to take care of them quickly. Finding a path that finally led us away from the river, we ascended for a time before coming upon the remains of a campsite. Serana lit a fire that could at least warm us up and that only highlighted the ghastly scene around us.
"Trolls or something similar," I muttered. Blood was everywhere, the bodies ripped apart. I'd seen more than one troll attack over the years to recognise the signs. Opening my small pack, all the food I'd brought along was soaking wet, and with nothing to cook it with, I didn't bother trying to eat anything.
After warming up, we moved on and eventually ran into a couple of trolls, making short work of them. Guess I let a little anger bubble up after what we'd found at the campsite, hacking both of them apart once they were dead. Serana just looked at me, returning a shrug before stating, "Okay, maybe what we found pissed me off a little bit."
Torch scone guided our way forward, and as they were lit, we assumed someone living must be ahead. I didn't think it would have been torches left by the bodies we had found. I doubt anyone would have got past the trolls, unless they were searching for Auriel's Bow as well, and if they'd found the trolls, the trolls would have been dead.
We received our answer a few minutes later, and it was a discovery that perhaps changed history in an instant. The figure ahead turned towards us as we approached. He looked elven, that much was obvious. But he looked unlike any elf I'd seen before. He gestured at both of us. "Come forward. You have nothing to fear here."
Realising I still had my sword to hand, I sheathed it and walked forward to meet the elf, looking around the cavern where he appeared to make his home. I was left wondering what he was doing so deep in this cave.
"Who are you?"
He bowed. "I am Knight-Paladin Gelebor. Welcome to the Great Chantry of Auri-El."
I raised eyebrows at the name. "Auri-El? Who is Auriel?"
"Ah. He goes by many names. Auriel, Auri-El, Alkosh, Akatosh. So many different names for the sovereign of the Snow Elves."
We learned much from Gelebor. A short history of his race and what happened to them. Driven underground by Nord invaders. The alliance with the Dwemer, who exacted a terrible price upon the Snow Elves for their assistance. An agreement to the blinding of their entire race. I couldn't believe the Snow Elves would agree to such a price, but given they could not win a war against the Nords alone, it was believed that an alliance with the Dwemer would grant them victory.
Where we stood was a wayshrine that would grant access to the Chantry of Auri-El. He knew why we were there. For the bow. He also knew what Serana was, but that did not concern him. He sensed we'd come to save the world, not destroy it, so was therefore willing to trust us in our quest. However, before he allowed us access, he asked us for a favour.
He wanted us to kill Arch-Curate Vyrthur, who just happened to be his brother. "But you two may be the last Snow Elves?" Serana wondered.
"Our species is extinct, child. We are all that remains. If I am to be the last Snow Elf that lives, so be it. But my brother has been corrupted by the Falmer. I have seen him at the Chantry, waiting silently for something. Of what? I do not know. It has been many centuries since we last spoke. I have remained here ever since, vigilant." He paused before meeting my eyes. "Will you grant me this favour, Dragonborn?"
