Dragonborn Rising

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?"

I should have known he would sense who I was. And I agreed to his request. I assumed he would only ask if it was absolutely necessary. He performed a small ritual that opened the wayshrine, instructing us on what we would need to do to open further wayshrines. We would need to locate them all before we would be granted access to the chantry itself. He had no idea what we would find inside, only that his brother would be waiting for us at the end.

Stepping into the portal, we were instantly transported to another cave. We wasted no time heading forward, Serana finding another torch, helping light the way forward. "Did you feel the magic... flow from him?" she asked.

"No. You know I don't have those sort of heightened senses when it comes to magic."

"Despite your position at the College?"

I looked at her and noticed the smirk. "Mirabelle is the Arch-Mage, not me. I barely know half a dozen spells." I held up my fists. "If I need something doing, I'll use these first."

"There is no doubt he was powerful. Far more powerful than we even glimpsed. I wonder how long he's been standing guard there? It must be terribly lonely..." I looked at her, hearing her tone, as she shrugged. "I just know how it feels." I wrapped an arm around her waist, giving her a gentle squeeze. "I had to wait a long time, Ragnar. A very long time. And the man who finally released. Maybe the Divines had something to do with it?"

The Falmer had taken over this section of the cave. Little wonder, I guess, if it had long ago been inhabited by the Snow Elves. And as always, the bastards seemed to sense our approach and did not hesitate in attacking us. Serana focused on her magic as I bloodied my sword, cutting a way forward, Serana never more than a step behind. More than once, we found ourselves almost circled, and that's when I would resort to using my Thu'um. Though I hesitated using it against man or mer, I considered Falmer little more than monsters, despite what had caused them to be turned into such horrific monstrosities, so I had no problem using my gift against them.

The Falmer were but a mere memory as we descended into a new section of the cavern. It brought both of us to a standstill as, while its beauty was different to the glade, it was still awe-inspiring. Certainly enough for Serana to stand next to me and grab my hand. "I've never seen anything like it before," she whispered.

"We seem to have luck in seeing a lot of things neither of us have seen before."

She simply leaned against my shoulder. "You know what I mean," she said softly, "This is the kind of thing I've been wanting to see. Makes everything worth it."

Neither of us felt like moving for at least a few minutes. Animals of the like neither of us had ever seen before scampered around, most running away at the mere sight of us. I was sure I saw a bright coloured sabre cat on a ledge away from us. It looked fast asleep, and even if it was awake, didn't appear interested in our progress. We wound our way through this peaceful place, walking towards and around a large pool of water, ending up following another passage until we approached what appeared to be another wayshrine. In front of the wayshrine was what appeared to be a ghost, just as Gelebor had told us.

We performed the ritual as instructed by Gelebor and a new portal opened up.

"Behold Auri-El's gift, my child. May it light your path as you seek tranquillity within the Inner Sanctum. May Auri-El's brilliance illuminate your path."

I gave thanks to the ghost before we passed through the portal. What greeted us on the other side was nothing short of spectacular. We again came to a standstill to take in the view. "Wish they could have seen this," I muttered.

"Who?" Serana asked softly.

"Muiri. Astrid. Mirabelle. Aela and Lydia. They would have loved a view like this."

"You mentioned Muiri first..."

I glanced in her direction. "I stopped wearing the ring but... I chose her what feels like a long time ago now. She's the only reason I'd return to Riften, to visit her grave. But the priestess tends the garden that now grows on it for me. Wherever she is, I know she's looking down and smiling. And she'd definitely approve of my partners."

To be honest, we did get a little lost over the next few hours, lost enough that light started to fade and we had to think about making camp for the evening. We eventually found a small cave that would provide just enough protection from the cold, Serana lighting a fire while I headed out and went searching for food. I hunted one of those brightly coloured deer and cheated a bit, using my Thu'um to bring it to a stop before burying my sword into it. Dragging it back to the cave was a pain in the arse, but Serana helped me prepare some meat for dinner.

It was beyond freezing by the time the sun disappeared, huddling together under the furs that had thankfully dried out. We hadn't brought any camping supplies so would have to just lie as close to the fire as possible during the night. Lying side by side, we did enjoy a little kiss and a cuddle, but went no further than that. The idea of stripping off any clothing wasn't particularly appealing due to the temperature, though I did joke about sharing body heat, until she mentioned she had none to share.

"Spoilsport," I muttered before she turned around and moulded her body back against mine.

"Do you think about the future, Ragnar?" she asked a little later.

"All the time, to be honest."

"Am I part of it?"

"Definitely."

"You're part of mine. Not just you. I know there will be others. I'll try not to be too jealous at first."

"Mirabelle gets jealous sometimes, readily admits it, then we talk about it. But she is adamant about never making me choose. She knows how much Aela loves me, and it's obvious to me the affection they have for each other. And she knows the relationship between Lydia and I is getting closer and closer. And she has already accepted you, Serana."

"Why did you only choose Muiri?"

"It was the right thing to do at the time. I've told Mirabelle I'd do the same thing, but as I just said, she's adamant. It helps that she's been intimate with Aela. Muiri was only ever with me, never being interested in involving others. When she was taken from me, I thought I'd never love again. Part of me doesn't want to choose only one simply because I think the gods will take her from me again. I also know I'm a selfish bastard at times but..." I trailed off and sighed.

"Helps you are a good man, Ragnar. And if everyone agrees to the arrangement, then what's the harm?"

"So... you don't mind?"

"Not at all." She paused before adding, "I've obviously never been with a woman."

"I know that."

"I would like to try."

"You would?"

"Maybe Mirabelle? I think she's very sweet. And rather attractive."

"I think it's something we'll need to discuss later."

"Does the thought of Mirabelle and I... excite you, Ragnar?"

"Behave, Serana." I heard her giggle as I kissed her cheek. "But I find the idea of two women I love very much being intimate with each other rather appealing."

Thankfully, we both went to sleep a little later. Any more talk like that and I would have wanted to have some fun with her, enjoyed it at the time, that have our arses frozen solid due to the weather.

Waking the next morning, I had little food to eat while Serana suggested she was fine to just pack up and move on, so that's what we ended up doing. It was bitterly cold that morning, both of us wrapping ourselves up in furs to keep the worst of it at bay. Even with my Nord blood, I felt chilled to the core. We were high in the mountains, snow as far as the eye could see, wind whipping into our faces. Despite the beauty surrounding us, we both felt rather miserable.

Approaching a vast frozen lake, I closed my eyes and almost sensed something resting underneath it. And I didn't trust walking over ice at the best of times anyway. I told Serana what I was thinking and we agreed to circle the lake.

Finding another couple of wayshrines during the morning, we ended up making our way through another cave full of Falmer. I hacked and slashed our way forward, Serana using all her tricks of the trade to help us ever onward. Even deep in the caves it was freezing, though it was hard work at the same time, my entire body bathed in sweat as fighting was hard work. I took a couple of minor wounds, thankfully none of the weapons being poisoned.

It felt like we fought our way forward of hours, passing through what felt like an enormous Falmer camp. Any idea of trying to sneak through ended quickly, and I think Serana took even greater delight in killing the enemy. I think any sympathies we might have felt for their plight ended the first time they simply chose to attack us.

We staggered through a final cave, fighting off the last remnants of Falmer resistance, scrabbling over the loose rocks and stones. I stopped and looked behind me, offering my hand to Serana, helping her up as we effectively moved on hands and knees, breathing deeply, both of us nearly exhausted. In fact, not even nearly. I was knackered. I know Serana was on the verge of flagging as well.

"Just a little further," I stated.

"I know. It's just been a long day."

"That and more. Remind me that we need to rest when all this is over."

"Deal!"

The fifth and last ghost was waiting for at the wayshrine. After performing the ritual again, we moved onwards, the Inner Sanctum lying ahead. It was another example of long-lost Snow Elf design, an architectural masterpiece that was, somewhat amazingly, still in good repair. Perhaps the cold weather helped keep it in one piece? We slowly cross the bridge, taking in the magnificent view to either side before turning our attention to the building in front.

"I've never seen a building like that before. It looks like some kind of temple. Never saw anything like this back on the island," Serana stated.

"It's certainly impressive. Only place grander would be the Imperial Palace."

"I would assume this must be the chapel, if that's what the Snow Elves called such a place of worship."

"I'm not sure. I think the chapel may be further in."

"Guess that means more exploring?"

"Ragnar Dragonborn, ever the adventurer. Very well, lead the way."

We climbed the steps and entered a courtyard. It was empty, as expected, and again the building surrounding us appeared to be relatively intact and well preserved. In the middle of the courtyard was a statue. We came to a stop in front of it.

"That is a statue of Auriel, but it's using the older signs of his power. This temple must be ancient. The bow has to be in here," Serana stated quietly next to me.

"I'll admit I know little to nothing about elven traditions. What do you mean by the 'old signs'?"

"I only know a little myself. But look at the statue, the representation of Auri-El. It's positively elven. Enter any chapel of the Divines and Akatosh is represented completely differently. Man and mer both share faith in the same god, but refer to him in different names and attribute different qualities to him. Then look at what the statue is holding. The elves, from what I know, believe Auri-El was involved in the creation of the mortal world as we know it. Shrines in Skyrim towards Akatosh are those of a dragon. Any stained glass make reference to the dragonblood, of man and dragon combined."

As I'd said, I knew next to nothing so, whether she was right or wrong, I wasn't bound to raise an argument. Instead, we simply moved on past the statue, climbing another set of steps into the chapel.

The inner sanctum was nothing like the outside. Everything was frozen. Numerous Falmer and chaurus stood still as statues, encased in ice. It was bizarre, if not a little eerie. The roof had slightly caved in and there was little light, adding to the gloom and sense that all was not as it seemed.

"I wonder how long they've been like this? And I thought the Soul Cairn was creepy," Serana muttered to herself.

In the middle of the room was another shrine, Serana stating it was to Auri-El. It looked the same as the symbol held by the statue out front, so that made sense. It was also surrounded by numerous frozen Falmer and I had a bad feeling they were all going to instantly thaw and start attacking. I felt an almost overwhelming need to reach for my sword and simply start swinging. But I refrained... for now...

We spent a few minutes exploring the darkness, though the occasional shaft of light appeared through gaps in the ceiling. There were frozen Falmer everywhere, Serana concluding that it was definitely magic -- powerful magic -- which was keeping them in place. I was just thankful they remained frozen as we walked by, ensuring we didn't get too close in case our proximity caused them to wake up.