"It's impossible! It has to be a trick!"
Artorias was done with his representative's repeated denials at this point. He had been arguing with Ysmir, the Skyrimites, and Elenwen for ten minutes now, using arguments such as Ysmir's former Archmage status against him. A few of the greedier nobles- who Artorias had long since figured out were trying to manipulate him- were providing their own arguments.
But unlike them, Artorias had access to the most secretive archives of the Empire's history- something Uncle Titus had shown him shortly before his death. Looking back, he suspected his uncle knew what was coming for him. Why he didn't try to stop it, he didn't want to find out.
Tiber Septim's allies had written accounts that described in great detail what had happened when he had encountered some of the few dragons left alive in his era, having hunted them down himself. Artorias knew what he had seen was true.
The young prince decided then and there to stop being a background voice. He knew his uncle had warned him to wait until he was 18, but this was one of, if not THE most important thing he would ever deal with.
No more pretending to be a meek pawn.
Ysmir was getting tired of this sabershit.
"J'zargo has explained to you already, there is no known Illusion magic capable of manipulating one's sense of touch!"
"That's just what a deceitful Khajiit like you would want us to think!"
Ysmir had had enough. That was the last straw.
"You're just desperate to keep your Pawn in power!"
Everyone fell to silence at the unintentional insult Ysmir had spewed. Until...
"To be fair, that is how I present myself as."
All eyes turned to the previously silent boy.
The Regent was the first to find his voice.
"My Liege, I-"
"Silence, Mortir."
The Regent, who Ysmir guessed was named Mortir, snapped his jaw shut in surprise, his glasses almost falling off his face in shock at the commanding voice the boy held.
The voice of a leader.
Artorias turned to Ysmir.
"My uncle taught me from a young age that there would be those who would try to control me. He was unable to produce heirs of his own, and thus future leadership would fall to me.
Rather than make it obvious I knew what the nobles were doing, he taught me to act as though I believed what they said, with the only defiance being that of a purehearted child trying to be good to all. It was lonely, I admit, but it was probably the only thing keeping the nobles from sending assassins after me."
A few of the nobles tried to protest this, but twin glares from Artorias and Ysmir silenced them once more.
"When I was 9, Uncle Titus showed me a secret not even the most knowledgeable of the court knew about. Something that was lost for 70 years after the Oblivion Crisis.
The Septim Library.
Within it was accounts from Tiber himself, as well as his allies throughout the years. Some were contradictory, and a few suggested that Dragon Breaks had caused them to be in multiple places at the same time. Conflicting memories and all that.
What was most relevant to our situation were the Septerian Dragons. Seven dovah who had escaped the purge of the Tongues after Alduin's first defeat.
They described in great detail exactly what happened when Tiber Septim hunted them down and killed them. When he absorbed their very souls, erasing them from Mundus forever.
It was precisely like what we have witnessed today. Minus the battle, of course."
He looked Ysmir in the eye, and smiled.
"Ysmir is not lying or tricking anyone. He is the Dragonborn. And if he so chooses, the rightful Emperor of Cyrodiil."
Ysmir smiled back. "Good thing I don't plan on being Emperor. Can't say anything about my future descendants, though."
"You couldn't have just done this to ensure your descendants future, though. You aren't prideful, and you are certainly intelligent."
"You're right. There are several things in the Empire's system that needs redone or replaced. Starting with replacing the Penitus Oculatus. I captured a Dark Brotherhood member a while back. The assassin who struck down your uncle was a rookie. Barely even trained for a week. Their Listener had sent them on a suicide mission to get rid of them. And considering the news suggesting quite a few nobles disappearing from your courts in the past year alone, it's safe to say your guards haven't gotten any better at their job."
Ysmir still couldn't believe how many nobles were conducting the Black Sacrament against each other. The corruption was running deep, and Ysmir wasn't sure how well he'd be able to suppress it. He'd have to (EXTREMELY reluctantly) take another few lessons on politics with Nazeem, the son of a horker.
Artorias was clenching his fists. A ROOKIE that the assassin leader was trying to get killed got past the greatest members of the Oculatus.
"Agreed."
Mortir stepped forward. "My Prince, you can't seriously beli-"
"SILENCE, MORTIR! I am not some meek, easy-manipulated child. I am Artorias Mede IV, future Emperor, and I am done hiding behind a mask of innocence! Ysmir is right, corruption has run deep in Cyrodiil since my Uncle's death. Things need to change. As the Dragonborn, the Tiberian Scripts state that his word will become permanent law. There is nothing you can do about it. And if even HALF the things the Whiterunners and Thalmor have told us since our arrival are true, do you really want to risk trying? Especially after that!"
He pointed at the draconic skeleton, scales and blood around it, the Daedric Muzzle hanging loosely upon it's stronger-than-ebony maw. The Imperial nobles all gulped. The champion of 3 Elder Scrolls and Auriel's Bow was before them. They all wished they could take back whatever insults that had been made.
Ysmir couldn't help but grin at the intelligent boy. Artorias had the nobles by his finger and they didn't even realize it until it was too late. An idea struck him in that instant.
"You know, I can probably lower the age for becoming Emperor, right?"
Changes were happening in the Empire. And there was nothing anyone could do. Not even the Thalmor.
//A month later//
She couldn't believe it.
After all these years, the Blades were finally back. Even if they were renamed as the New Dragonguard. Quite a few former Oculatus members had been given the rigorous training Ysmir and his (very annoying, Ysmir's words not hers) worshippers had constructed.
Ysmir had made it a rule to never vocally call him a god, either in public or in front of him. He knew he couldn't stop them, but he could make them sensible, so the religious Dragonguard members had kept silent in their praises when the delegation and Thalmor had brought the new recruits. Thu'um training was especially strenuous, even though it mostly consisted of reading and meditation. A few had already gotten the hang of it, with the help of the Children of Ysmir(yes, that's what the religious fools called themselves).
Phina had felt pride when many of them when she had trained the recruits. Everything was finally coming together. She still wasn't sure about Ysmir's stance on dragons, but he had delivered on everything else. The Blades were back and better than ever. And the Thalmor would be gone from Skyrim, and much of Cyrodiil, by the end of the week.
Elenwen's arguments had been shot down by the political team of Ysmir, Nazeem, Elisif, and Artorias. There had been no evidence of Talos worship found by them since Ulfric's death, and the Stormcloak remnants didn't count, since they were dead in a week by either Ysmir's blade or Imperial soldiers. Elenwen had tried to throw suspicion on the Dragonguard being formed in only a few months, but Ysmir had simply said he had found out about the Tiberian Scripts shortly after Miraak's defeat. And he was the single best smith in Skyrim, so he could have easily procured all the armor and weapons from studying the Old Blades' designs.
For the first time in years, Phina felt true joy. She felt purpose. And not that fake purpose she had deluded herself for years with. True purpose.
And it was all thanks to a man who had explained to her why she was such an Oblivion-damned idiot. She laughed, thinking about how she had been such a bitter fool back then.
She heard Bornard, once called Esbern, calling out to help with training the recruits. A Master Dragonguard's work is never done.
Time to show these fools how to wield the Voice.
(AN: Yay, character development for this beyotch. Because even idiots can learn with the right incentive.)
Serana opened her green eyes to see the face of the most beatiful woman in her life.
Lydia.
When Serana had awoken from her centuries-long rest, the woman who had picked her up off the ground had taken to helping her through immediately, even when Ysmir himself had initially been uneasy. Things had picked up between them along the journey to stop her father's idiotic plan.
She had been too afraid to confess at first, but Ysmir, kind man that he was, had talked about how he had struggled to confess to Ysolda.
His talk about the fear of rejection holding you down, and how the neverending shame of not trying would only be worse than temporary pain of rejection not only convinced her to confess, but helped her make the third most important decision in her life. Becoming mortal once more. Her mother had soon followed suit.
The knowledge that Lydia had loved her as well, and would have joined with her even if she had remained a vampire, had made her feel more warmth than she had ever remembered. Lydia had made sure to remove the trauma of Molag Bal's defilement thoroughly.
Honestly, the idea that this wonderful woman's greatest desire had once been to serve a Thane for the rest of her life still stumped Serana sometimes. Goes to show just how Ysmir affected those close to him. Brought out the best in them.
She shook Lydia's shoulder.
"Come on, Captain Volkihar. Today's the big celebration."
Lydia, who had actually been awake and aware of Serana staring at her naked figure, just smiled teasingly.
"What celebration, Mrs. Volkihar. Last I checked, our anniversary and honeymoon was last week~"
Serana rolled her eyes at the flirting.
"The celebration of Ysmir's position as Grand Lawmaker. Amren and Jarl Balgruuf have been planning it since Kriiovkren's capture. The whole of the capitol will be celebrating in Dragonsreach. It's all anyone's been talking about for a month."
Lydia's grin widened. "Perhaps you could convince me to wake up more~"
"Tch, pervert."
Serana was glad she had been cured of vampirism. Lydia's biting fetish was rather ironic.
"THERE YOU ARE!"
The two daughters of the recently-formed House Dragon-Child ran towards Jon Battle-Born and Mikael, the bards of Whiterun. They were accompanied by some religious members of the New Dragonguard.
Jon and Olfina Greymane had, at Ysmir's and Ysolda's encouragement, married, to the shock of their families. The Patriarchs, with the war done, could find no proper reason to deny them. Jon had been one of the best students the Bards College had seen in a long time, being especially favored after finding the epitaph of King Olaf.
Mikael himself had long since found a woman who brought out the best in him. His bard skill had improved greatly when he began to play for self-fulfillment rather than women.
Jon spoke up. "Here we are."
Lucia got annoyed at the overtly calm attitude the Battle-Born scion had.
"We've been looking for you all over!"
Sofie spoke. "Are you ready for tonight."
Mikael sighed. "Yes, yes, you two. We've learned the tunes to the songs. Your father, and everyone else, will be thoroughly entertained."
"THEY BETTER!" the two girls said, before walking up towards Dragonsreach. It was almost noon, time for the celebration to begin.
Jon sighed. "I understand the desire to make one's parents happy, but they are rather overbearing."
Mikael snickered. "I say it's from Ysmir being overprotective. Damn idiot needs to realize his daugters need some men in their lives already. HAHAHAHAHAHAH-"
"Ahem."
They both realized one of the Dragonguard had remained behind. He was staring at them with an intense look, toying with the Stalhrim-Ebony mix dagger in his hand.
"What did you call Lord Ysmir. An 'idiot', is that right?"
"CRAP, IT'S ONE THE RELIGIOUS CRAZIES!"
"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!"
They ran from the laughter of the Child of Ysmir, all the way up to Dragonsreach, passing the snickering Dragon-Child daughters on their way.
They couldn't have known some of the Dragonguard were also former Dark Brotherhood and Thieves guild members, known for their sneaky attacks. So great was their fear, they didn't notice their pants had been sliced off.
Despite his protests, Jarl Balgruuf and Amren had insisted on this celebration. He had already had citywide celebrations for him after Alduin and Harkon, so he didn't feel like another one was necessary. Especially since he hadn't saved the world again.
He had to admit, though, he did like how much fun his family was having.
He saw Braith cooing over Belgrundr in Ysolda's lap. The girl had been much happier after Ysolda had dug into her parents on how they were emotionally neglecting their only child.
Looking around, he saw how much fun people were having at this celebration. If everyone else was happy to do this, who was he to deny them?
A few people stared in awe at the dragon skeleton that hung above them by enchanted spider-silk ropes. Ysmir and J'zargo had worked hard to place that up there. Balgruuf had tried to deny having it above the throne room, feeling he was unworthy of it, but Ysmir had insisted. After 2 dragons getting away, the palace deserved to have something to represent it's name.
He swung back another bottle of mead, having long since lost the ability to get drunk on even the most distilled stuff the Black-Briars had. Considering the prank "Sam" had played on him, he considered it a blessing. He could see the disguised Daedra getting a few more people to do ridiculous things. He had to admit, it was much funnier when it happened to other people. To an extent.
He saw Jarl Balgruuf stand up. "May I have your attention, please?!"
Everyone quieted down.
"I would like to give a toast. To Ysmir Dragonborn, the man who has done so much for this world, for Skyrim, and for those around him. Long may he live!"
Everyone cheered for a solid minute. At the end of it, Ysmir stood up and raised his own glass. Everyone sat on the edge of their seats.
"You know, when I look back on these past 10 years, I realize something. A lot of people recognize me as a hero, but at the end of the day, I am extraordinarily lucky to have survived most of what I've been through. Especially that cattleshit with Miraak!"
Quite a few people laughed at this. They all quieted down soon.
"But, I realize that I would not be here, without those who have helped me along the way. Those who have bled for me on the battlefield, and those at home who help me everyday to keep my sanity, and keep me on the right path.
So, a toast, to the friends and family who have helped me through the trials of fate and life since my arrival in Skyrim a decade ago."
More cheers rang out as Ysmir sat down. He saw Ysolda, Terek, Serana, and Lydia all smiling at him. He could bet J'zargo was blushing under his fur from where he sat. The Companions were probably going to get quite a few new members coming in.
Serana was the first to speak her mind. "That was beautiful, Ysmir."
Lydia laughed. "That's the understatement of the era!"
Terek's grin was wider than ever. "Aww, you getting soft, roomie?"
Ysolda's blush was profound. "Thank you, dear."
Ysmir shugged with a shy grin. "It's the truth, without you all and the others, I probably would have gone insane by now. I am truly grateful you are all my family."
"May I have your attention, please!"
Ysmir and company looked towards where Balgruuf's throne was, to see Lucia and Jon Battle-Born standing together. Everyone in the room had gone silent once more.
"This song goes out to Ysmir Dragonborn, and is sung by his daughter, Lucia Dragon-Child."
Ysmir couldn't believe his ears. His daughter, was singing for him? She hated singing in public!
Lucia stepped up, looking a bit nervous. She steeled her resolve.
And sang in the most beautiful voice Skyrim had ever heard.
(AN: Malukah's voice. Watch her remastered cover video on youtube!)
"Our hero, our hero claims a warrior's heart
I tell you, I tell you, the Dragonborn comes
With a voice wielding power of the ancient Nord arts.
Believe, believe, the Dragonborn comes
It's an end to the evil of all Skyrim's foes
Beware, beware, the Dragonborn comes
For the darkness has passed and the legend yet grows
You'll know, you'll know, the Dragonborn comes."
The whole of Whiterun was mesmerized. It was the most beautiful rendition they had ever heard. But there was more.
Lucia channeled her small mastery over the Voice to enhance her voice.
"Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin, naal ok zin los vahriin
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan, fod nust hon zindro zaan!
Dovahkiin, fan hin kogaan mu draal!
A battle, a battle, brought on dragonwing
Not far, not far, the Dragonborn comes
And all will be measured, both coward and king
I know, I know, the Dragonborn comes
Together through snowfall and sorrow, we stride
For now, for now, the Dragonborn comes
Until we next meet under Sovngarde skies
Hurrah, hurrah, the Dragonborn comes
I tell you, I tell you, the Dragonborn cooooomes."
(AN: Dovahzul verse from Song of the Dragonborn. Extra verse by Erutan Music on youtube.)
The entire hall erupted in cheers.
Lucia looked over at where her father sat, and saw him clapping with the biggest, proudest smile she had ever seen him wear. It made her heart swell up in pride. She gave a bow.
Ysmir couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Oh my Akatosh, that was amazing! Where did she learn to sing like that?"
Ysolda smiled at her daughter's performance. "Besides natural talent? She and Sofie have been getting lessons from Mikael and Jon since they heard about Balgruuf's plan for this celebration."
Ysmir took a double take at that. "Sofie?"
Ysolda simply pointed back to the throne area.
(Lucia's and Sofie's POV)
"I don't know about this, Lucy. My voice isn't as good as yours."
"Sofie, your voice is the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. And the song you've crafted is amazing. You're going to do amazing, because that is what you are."
Sofie couldn't help but blush at her sister's words. "Okay, if you say so."
"That's the spirit! Now show all of Whiterun the power of your voice."
"Is that wordplay?"
Receiving no answer from her smiling sister, Sofie went up with Mikael. Everyone quieted again.
"This next song is sung by Sofie Dragon-Child, and is an original song she has crafted herself."
Sofie looked over at Mikael, and nodded.
She took a deep breath...
And her voice soared.
(The Last Dragonborn by Joy Aileen)
"OoooooooooOoooooooooOooooooooOooooo
I heard them speak of someone born strong.
Who could push, freeze and kill
With only a Thu-um.
Someone who stole the dragon's soul.
With a pale moon he rose, his sword to the sky.
Born like a man, but a soul that should fly.
He closed his eyes and said he'll make them fall.
I'll change the prophecy, he said.
I'll fight til the end, now off with his head.
Alduin has come, but Skyrim is ooooooouuuuuuurrrrss.
There's a hero among us who can fight against fire.
A man who will save us all.
He will shout, kill and slice them.
Stand strong in the mountains.
He'll fight til the dragons fall.
The Greybeards called him up to High Hrothgar.
He met Paarthurnax, who had traveled so far.
Quickly he learned the Way of the Voice.
The hero is the Last Dovahkiin.
He will fight til his death.
I know he will win.
Alduin has come, but Skyrim is oooooouuuuurrrss.
There's a hero among us who can fight against fire.
A man who will save us all.
He will shout, kill and slice them.
Stand strong in the mountains.
He'll fight til the dragons fall.
There's a hero among us who can fight against fire.
A man who will save us all.
He will shout, kill and slice them.
Stand strong in the mountains.
He'll fight til the dragons fall.
Til los aan hun het.
Wo krif voth yol.
Aan jul wo fen vokrii drem.
Rok fen zaan ahrk krii niin
Kriist mul ko strunmah
Rok fen krif erei dovah mah."
The hall erupted into even greater applause than it had done all night. While Lucia's voice was beautiful, it was not capable of projecting the sheer emotion that Sofie could.
Sofie gave a light curtsy. As she looked up, she saw her father walking up, his face towards the ground. She suddenly felt very nervous as her father stopped in front of her.
"Umm, father. did you li-"
"Thank you."
"Huh?"
Her father looked up at her, his smiling face had a few tears in his eyes.
"Thank you so much."
He hugged her.
"Hey, where's my hug?"
Lucia was feeling left out. She hadn't gotten a hug!
"C'mere."
Ysmir hugged both his daughters to the applause of Whiterun.
Ysmir couldn't believe it. When Ysolda had told him Sofie had that song crafted in her head for years, he felt indescribable joy.
His daughter wrote him a song. No one had ever done something like this for him. Combined with Lucia getting over her stage fright for him, and he just couldn't help but go up and hug his children.
He was glad Balgruuf had insisted on this.
Come to think of it, he had never crafted an amulet of anything but gold or silver. And he had only done metal-mixes with weapons and armor.
His daughters deserved a reward. Tommorrow, he planned on being at the forge.
//Later that night//
"Hehehe... I smell colors."
"Damnit Uncle Terek, you got a drink from Sam again, didn't you?"
"What? I always have the best dreams when I drink his mixes."
"You realize he's literally a Daedric Prince, right?"
"Yeah yeah, and I'm Lorkhan."
Ysmir sighed at Terek's drunken sprawl. "Alright, Sofie. It's your turn to get the rope."
After tying Terek to his bed and hanging a note where he could see it, Sofie and Lucia went to bed. Ysmir was glad he had expanded the house over the years.
He and Ysolda sat together on the chairs outside.
Ysolda sighed in happiness. "It's been a great day, hasn't it."
"Yeah. I hear Artorias's coronation is tomorrow. Wonder how he's handling things."
"With the people you've trained? No assassin has a skeever's chance."
Ysolda leaned her head in Ysmir's shoulders. They fell asleep like that. Sofie would lay a blanket on them before going back to sleep after a small drink of milk.
//The next morning...//
Ysmir and Ysolda stretched out after getting the blanket off them.
"Ugh, ruth strun bah. We fell asleep out here again."
"Yeah. Who do you think gave us the blanket?"
"Definitely Sofie. She's the only one who could have trouble sleeping after yesterday."
Looking at the horizon, he saw the sun was barely up.
"Hiya there. Got something I'm supposed to deliver to ya."
He looked in front of him and saw Carlissa, the daughter of the retired Courier. Despite his best attempts, she always refused to give her father's name. Or how they found him in the middle of nowhere when other couriers could barely find him in the same town as them. Her outfit was filthy. The bags under her eyes showed she still wasn't used to this lifestyle.
"It's barely sunup. How the heck are you awake?"
"Skooma."
They just stared at her.
"Anyway, some snowhaired lady asked me to give you this weird book. Not sure how you're supposed to read it, though. Doesn't look to be in any alphabet I know."
Ysmir could immediately tell this book was written in Daedric letters. He had learned them from a guide K'vachi had given him. It was strange to see it.
"Welp, got to go. Catch ya later."
She ran off to the couriers' station.
"Hey, remember what Sheogorath told you."
"Yeah, to read more. Wonder if this is what he meant?"
"You check the book for dangers, I'll cook breakfast today."
A crash was heard inside, followed by rapidfire cursing.
"And untie Terek."
As he sat down on his bed, he looked at the title of the book, his enhanced mind translated the alphabet as though he has read using it his entire life.
'The Dragon Tree Theory'
Handlessly casting Ebonyflesh on himself for extra durability, he opened the book.
Nothing. No flying coins, no sudden scamp infestation, not even a single thing relating to cheese.
Reading the book, he found it to be rather interesting. Apparently, sometime around 100 years ago, a man named Thorrus had appeared in Whiterun out of a glowing ball of light- one of many signs of a Dragon Break.
When people tried to ask him when and where he was from, he surprisedly said the same date and that he was from Whiterun - despite there being no record or memory of a man named Thorrus EVER living in all the hold.
Things only got more strange when he was constantly complaining why the capital of the hold was made of wood instead of stone, pointing out that it would be annihilated if a dragon attacked.
When someone stated the dragons were extinct, he laughed hysterically, stating the person must of been living in a cave.
Then, an armored individual entered the town, and seemed appalled at the sight of Thorrus. When asked how he recognized Thorrus, he took of his helmet, revealing him to look EXACTLY like him.
Stating his name was also Thorrus made things even more confusing and distressing.
Eventually the author of the book, who had witnessed the strange event, came up with the theory of the Dragon Tree. Anu and Padomay creating the Et'ada was the "Trunk" of the Dragon Tree, with all the Branches being the countless possibilities that came afterwards.
Every possible choice an individual makes can create a new Dragon Branch. Occasionally, a unique form of Dragon Break, called a Dragon Bridge, could hurtle an individual into another Branch, such as what happened with Thorrus.
As Ysmir closed the book, he wondered why he never found a record of this. Probably another Dragon Break occured that sent Thorrus back.
As he was thinking this, golden lights started flowing around him. He got up, a flash of light showing his Daedric armor appearing on him. Suddenly, he found he could barely move.
The door flew open, showing Terek, Ysolda, and his daughters there.
"Roomie, what in Oblivion is going on?!"
"I don't know! I can't move!"
"What?!"
They all tried to help him, but couldn't get closer than a few feet.
"Damn it!"
"Ysmir!"
"Father, no!"
"Papa!"
As the lights intensified, Ysmir felt like he was being squeezed through a glass tube. As he felt himself getting sucked away, he could only say one thing.
"DAMN IT, SHEOOOOOOOOOO!"
And the Dragon Broke that day, in a way it had Broke only once before. More than a Break, it was the rare Dragon Bridge. Mundus's first- and last- Dragon Bridge for quite a while.