Etain hugged her again and said, “My gosh, I missed you.” Rosenlyn said, “Yeah, my grandmother had a similar effect on the lady in the story.” Etain said come on, you can sit next to me.” They both walked over and Etain asked, can we bring another chair in so Rosenlyn can sit with me? It’s story time while we eat breakfast and drink some tea.”
They sat down and Etain and Rosenlyn ate some of the breakfast and sipped on some tea. The others had already finish eating waiting for Etain and then Rosenlyn to speak with each other. Then Etain took her napkin and patted her mouth then said, “Julian, “you might want to have your notebook out. I am not going to repeat this story again.”
Etain began, “Last night while I was sleeping my father pulled my spirit away to another place.” They all looked at her not knowing what to say except for Julian, “Where did he take you and why?” Etain replied, “The place does not have a name, at least none that was told me. It is a strange place. My father said he brought me there so he could spend time with me. He told me he misses his daughter. So does my mother.”
Julian asked, “Can you describe this place at all? It is really more a space then a place?” Etain thought for a moment, “The only thing that was physical were the stone platforms I stood on and this line of ancient stone men and women who stood like sentinels guarding the place. Each of them had a dragon who stood by their side. Tall they were and they lined a long walkway.” Etain thought a moment then continued, “ Father spent time talking to me about how much he missed me when I was young. That both he and my mother were so happy to have me back in their world. “
Etain paused, “I asked him why this burden must fall upon me! That I only wanted to fall in love, to get married and have children that would come and give me hugs and kisses every day. Just like they did with her.”
He told me before I could have those things, I had to continue on my journey through that place. He said that someday, I would get to have those things.” She paused watching everyone. No one said anything so she continued. “But no one could do what she was task to do, not even them!” Julian asked, “What happened next? “ Etain answered Julian, “ I heard someone crying far away. My father told me to follow the sound and find the child that was crying. That she needed me and I needed her!” Elisif asked, “ You mean there was a child there in this place between worlds left there crying, alone?”
Etain replied, “Yes but let me continue and you’ll understand, or at least I think you will.” “I walked the stone path between the tall statues. I followed it until the walkway ended. There across a void of empty space was a door. I could hear a child crying behind it.” I tried to step across but could not. So I closed my eyes and my spirit separated from me and once it was across, it pulled my physical self to it.”
She paused to allow them to think about that, “ I looked behind me and everything that had been there before was gone. The only thing I could see was a fog or clouds floating around from where I came. “
Etain steadied herself, “ I placed my hand on the handle of the door. I turned it and the door opened inward to a room. There in this room sat a little girl, holding a doll, weeping because she was all alone. I went to her and touched her on the shoulder. “
Julian asked, “What did she do?” Etain said, “She stood up and hugged me. She said you found me! Then she thanked me. I asked her who she was? She giggled and said, silly don’t you know. I remember thinking she seemed familiar to me. “
Hadvar asked, “What did she look like, this little girl?” Etain paused a moment and looked at Rosenlyn. She said to Etain, ‘It’s okay, they need to know!” Etain said then, “She had auburn hair, the same color as mine and emerald, green eyes.”
Julian said, “Amazing a reflection of yourself, but younger. What happened next?” Etain answered, “Well, she asked me to follow her. She told me that mother was waiting for me.” Julian asked, “she didn’t say your mother but said mother is waiting?”
Etain replied, “Yes, we walked down some steps and across a long lane of clouds filled with starlight. When we reached the other side, there was the girl again, alone but in a dirty prison somewhere. She had the scars on her back like me.” I knelt down and hugged her. She hugged me back and hung on tight.”
Etain paused, Rosenlyn placed her hand on her forearm as if to say it’s okay. Etain said, “ The room disappeared and the little girl said, mother is waiting. Follow the light when you get to the doorway at the end step through it.”
Etain was lost in thought, “ I asked her what she was going to do? I told her that I couldn’t leave her alone. She handed me the doll, and said, you have freed us! Now go, mother is waiting beyond the door. I stood up then with the doll she gave me in one hand. I turned around to say goodbye, but she was gone.”
“In fact it was like it was before. Nothing but mist behind me. “ Etain said, “I walked the lighted path. It was like walking on a bed of clouds and starlight. I came to the door, looked behind and the pathway was gone now too. I open the door and the world shifted again. This time I was in some other place. My mother was there waiting with children all around her.”
“We talked for a while; she told me how much she loved me and missed me. I asked who all the children were. I mean there were children there from many of the lost races, the Ayleids, The Dwemer, The Snow Elves and even some Minotaur children! I asked them why they were all here with her. She said they are all waiting for you. To free them, like you have your younger self.”
Then Nenya asked, “The little girl, she was you when you were younger. You were brought there to face your younger self, to free you both from the horror of that time. Etain said, “Yes Nenya, I believe that is true.” Julian then asked, “The doll do you still have it?” Etain looked at Julian and said,” Yes, it lays on my pillow in my guest chamber.”
Julian asked, “Did your mother tell you about the doll?” Etain said, “Yes, she said she made it for me. I never went anywhere without it.” Elisif came over and wrapped her arms around Etain then and said, “Thank you for sharing that with all of us. I know that must have been hard to do. We are here for you Etain.”
Etain said, “Thank you Elisif, I really appreciate knowing that.” Jarl Balgruuf spoke up then. The Jarls and our Stewards have all been talking. You need to gain alliances with the other holds but here today we want to present you with this. We have all three agreed to name you Thane of our holds. It is the highest honor we can bestow on someone.”
Etain looked at them all, “Thank you all, that means so much to me. I will not forget this kind gesture you have given me this day. “ Then Etain said to them, I need to go to the barrow next. There is something there I need to get and things I need to do. “The Jarls all looked at each other worried. Jarl Balgruuf spoke up next, “ Are you sure? That place is dangerous!”
Etain replied, “If you’ll excuse me I grow tired and need to get some rest. I’ll leave the planning to all of you. “ She walked away and Rosenlyn stayed behind for a few moments. Once Etain had gone inside the keep, she spoke to them. “I know that you’re wondering why she needs so much rest to recover. You have to understand one thing with Etain, her spirit is that of bloodline of kings and queens, or Dragonborn, and Elder Blood. However, her physical self, is still this young lady who just wants to live a normal life.”
Julian spoke, “You are correct of course. Let me know if I am wrong about this, that her power although it may be that of the gods, there is a physical cost to her body. On top of that Etain somehow has adopted some ancient moral code called “The Warrior’s Way.” It is ingrained into every cell of her being and drives everything she does.”
Julian paused, then spoke to everyone there, “Imagine the cost of that to her, to want to protect others but yet be imbued with this power that can command Daedric Gods.” Elisif then said, “We have all seen the physical manifestations of this to her. Her old wounds bleed again; she cries tears of blood!” I believe that as she strives to protect all of us, we must do our best to do the same for her.”
Then Rosenlyn said, “Exactly! Etain needs you because it grounds her, it reminds her of the human qualities of who she is. In terms of her moral compass, the creed, “The Warrior’s Way” is tied to her bloodline. It is ancient now and drives her as it did her mother, Saint Alessia. She is an embodiment of her mother in all things.”
Rosenlyn then said, “Be proud of yourselves, what you did for her today by naming her Thane of Whiterun, Falkreath, and Haafingar mean more to her then you can imagine. She sees that as a badge of honor that she will carry with her everywhere.”
Rosenlyn paused, then said, “I need to go and check on my friend now.” Nenya asked quickly, “What is the connection between you and her. It seems to go beyond just friendship! Oh no, I don’t mean that! It’s just that there is a bond between you two that is generational somehow. Yet the two of you just recently met.”
Rosenlyn came back for a moment then said to them. “My grandmother Royze once saved a young lady just like her. She like Etain bore the weight of the same type of scars as Etain carries on her back. “
Rosenlyn stayed silent a moment, “She was saved by my grandmother, they became close friends, she however like her had many battles before her, many alliances and in time she became the High Queen of Cyrodiil, her husband the Emperor. Their daughter was meant to pave the way for Etain. They did not know that at the time. However in time, they learned the truth. Her husband’s bloodline is the same as Etain.”
Nenya said, “ I remember the stories about her, a Nordic girl who somehow was related in blood to Titus Meade the 1st. I heard they walked away from all of it, that the constant threats to themselves and their young daughter was too much and now they live out their lives on some remote island somewhere.”
Rosenlyn replied, “That is it Nenya. The road for Etain to be here now has been generational in the making. So you see, just as my grandmother Royze served this other lady, I now serve Etain. I am here to protect and help her achieve what she wants most. To protect all of you and give you a chance to live a life free of all of this. Pretty lofty goals wouldn’t you say?”
With that she turned and went to check on Etain. After Rosenlyn left, Elisif said, “We need to get a private message to the Arch Mage in Winterhold. I know none here are comfortable with magic but that is not all they have there. They have what is likely one of oldest and most extensive libraries outside of the ones in Cyrodiil. We might need that knowledge and their help as Etain strives to achieve her goals.”
Julian said, “Brilliant idea Elisif, I agree with you on this matter. We need to quietly expand our allies. I cannot believe that they won’t have a strong interest in wanting to protect her as we do.” Jarl Balgruuf said, “Okay, I’ll talk to Irileth and have my own court mage go to Winterhold and deliver the message in person.”
“He is one of them so I know they will believe him more than just some random person who shows up at their doors and claims that we have a girl whose father is Akatosh, the father of time, and Saint Alessia.”
They all laughed a bit and then Jarl asked his steward to fetch the court wizard and have him come to see us out here. His Steward, Proventus Avenicci, steadfast, and loyal, father of one of the local blacksmith’s located near the gates to Whiterun left to get the court wizard.
Proventus went inside and then down the stairs and into the domain of a Nord mage named Farengar Secret-Fire. Farengar is a deeply devoted mage of the magical arts and historical research. His demeanor is often absent-minder academic who also carries an air about him that most physical tasks and normal people are below him.
Proventus was not a fan of navigating the moody highs and lows of his personality. He stepped into his lab and said to him, “Farengar, the Jarls would like you to come upstairs. Jarl Balgruuf has something specific he would like to discuss with you out on the patio.”
Farengar was busy making notes and had several books spread out before him, all of them related to the dragons. There was The Book Of The Dragonborn; the historical book of what truly means to be one and what the prophecy has meant throughout the ages. Dragon Language: Myth no More; that which details the history, translation, and mechanics of the ancient dragon language. Also, The Dragon War was opened, the chronicles of the historical conflict between ancient Nords and the oppressive dragon cult in the Merethic Era.
His response was expected, “Ah, Proventus, let the Jarl know I’ll be there once I am done noting this particular thought about the Dragon Wars.” Proventus replied, “They want to see you now Farengar!” Farengar replied, “What could be so important that it needs to interrupt my research here?” Proventus said, “How about that and pointed his finger at the book called, “The Book of The Dragonborn. Or should I say our guest, who is one!”
Farengar turned towards Proventus, “That’s not possible, you mean to tell me there is someone here in Dragonreach who is a confirmed Dragonborn?” Proventus smiled, and said yes, “She is currently resting in the Jarl’s private guest studio.” Farengar replied, “Well already I think you are all wrong, there has never been a female Dragonborn according to Nordic historians. I mean, that is why they are always named Ysmir, Dragon of the North. Like Talos himself.”
Proventus grinned then said seriously, “Well if I would you I would not say that to her face. You might find her father, Akatosh, the father of time and her mother, Saint Alessia unhappy about that. In fact, it would be good for you to know that both of them just issued a warning to all in attendance of a meeting with their daughter that if anyone else hurts their daughter that they would turn their cities to ash!”
Farengar said, “Really, she is the confirmed daughter of Akatosh and Saint Alessia. She’s here, upstairs in the Jarl’s guest studio. Yes, now come along and be prepared to leave. They have a specific request for you related to her.”
“Of course right away. “ The both walked up the stairway to the upper floors. Farengar noticed a lot of new faces running about upstairs.
He saw the two grim looking female guards standing now before the Jarl’s private quarters and whispered to Proventus, “Are they Knights of Stendarr? What are they doing here?” Proventus had the guards open the doors to the patio, “Stendarr himself sent them. They are here to provide protective services for her.”
They walked out on the great patio of Dragonreach and to a table that had three of the Jarls and their Stewards discussing things. He walked up and said, “I am here by your request my Jarl.” Ah, you likely know the Jarl of Falkreath and Jarl Elisif from Solitude.” Farengar said, “Of course, so why am I here?”
“I need you to get ready right away and take the carriage to Winterhold. I have a message I need you to deliver to the Arch Mage personally, no one else is to hear this unless they are a trusted senior member of the guild. Am I clear on that?” Farengar replied, “Of course Jarl Balgruuf, but what is the message, what is so important to request that?”
Julian laughed, “I thought I was bad as an academic. Do you not know what has been going on in your home?” Farengar said, “And you are…” Julian stood and bowed, “Julian Valerius, Scholar and Mage from Cyrodiil.” “Really, I know of you, I’ve read some of your research on the Covenant of Kings, Saint Alessia, and other research papers you have written. Why are you here?”
Jarl Balgruuf then replied, “Because we have an air to the Alessia bloodline here as a guest in my private quarters. We need you to ask the College for help, we will likely need some of their brightest and best mages to help with some research as well as protection and maybe a healer too! I thought since you know them that they would respond more favorably to such a request coming from one of their own.”
Farengar said, “I need to provide some information as to her validity of claiming to be from the bloodline of Saint Alessia. Jarl Elisif stood up then and said, “How about the fact that she is already a crowned princess, wears the armor, tiara, and carries the sword her mother had made for her. Oh and a couple of small things, Her sword has a ruby red diamond embedded in its hilt as does her tiara.”
Farengar said, “That’s impossible though, St. Martin had the last one back during the Oblivion Crisis.” Nenya the Jarl of Falkreath said then, “That is true, however she is and has with her the incarnation of the Covenant of Kings. I would be cautious though as with her goes the authority of the Elder Blood of the Dawn Era.”
Nenya paused for effect then said, “ I mean you could talk with Nocturnal; I think she would confirm it for you. She was a temporary guest here when an assassin of hers tried to take Etain’s life. Of course it did not end well for the assassin. He is now a guest in the Jarl’s high security dungeon.”
Also Nocturnal was none too happy when Etain pulled her from her Oblivion plane and brought her to here to kneel before her.” Farengar said, “But no one commands the Daedra, not even Akatosh.” Julian then said, “Normally, that would be true, however she has come to break all the rules, she has been given absolute power. Imagine someone with the power of The Elder Blood, Akatosh, Saint Alessia, a Dragonborn, and sister to all the divines then you would have Etain.”
Jarl Balgruuf said “If they need proof, then have them come here. A word of caution though I would not ask her to prove herself. I believe she’s been through quite a bit of that already, and they might not like it if she sent them to their own private pocket plane of Oblivion.” The face of Farengar turned pale. He said, “Yes my Jarl I will prepare right away and be on my way there.”
Farengar quickly gather his things under the watchful eye of Proventus. When ready, Proventus said come, I’ll go with you to see the carriage driver and provide him with payment to get you to Winterhold quickly and discreetly. “