Arriving just outside Solitude, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, we hurried inside to book rooms for the night. Heading to the Winking Skeever, as it was the only inn in the city, I paid for three rooms and meals for the eleven of us. Pointing us over to a large, empty table, the bar maiden told us she would bring our drinks and food over shortly. Thanking her, we squeezed our way through the packed dining room and took our seats near the fireplace.
"Thanks for covering my room and board tonight.", Serana said, before starting to look around the room, "I am happy that Solitude recovered and grew into a vibrant city. You see, before I was sealed away, Lord Molag Bal began an invasion of Tamriel. One of the first places he attacked was this very city, with the aid of the Gray Host. Are they still around?"
"No, they were done in by the combined forces of Princess Svana, Prince Irnskar, and Jorunn the Skald-King.", Lydia answered, having read several books about that dark period of Skyrim's history, "You were alive when the Planemeld happened?!"
"Oh yes, my father and his subordinates fought alongside Lord Molag Bal's forces in the early days of the conflict. My mother used his absence to seal me away in that damn casket, I just wish I knew why she did it. Sure my father is a bloodthirsty maniac, but I did not think he or his subordinates would harm us.", Serana remarked, looking into the fireplace with a solemn expression, "…he was not always like this you know. We used to be a happy family, and both were madly in love with one another. His blasted thirst for immortality and power destroyed everything I thought we cherished…"
"Parents have a way of sometimes destroying the happiness their children enjoy.", I remarked, looking at Roxanne, "My own father lacks a spine, his cowardice nearly cost me one of the most important people in my life. When I realized he did not have my back when I needed him the most, I no longer could see him as the father I loved as a child. Yes, I am still grateful to him for raising me and putting a roof over my head, but the relationship we once had is long gone."
Realizing that we were similar to each other in that regard, Serana gave me a warm smile. Arriving with our food and drinks, the bar maiden gave me a flirtatious smile before wandering back to the bar. Raising a toast to our new friend Serana, the eleven of us clanged out mugs together and took a big swig of mead together.
"Damn, this stuff really hits the spot!", Lucoa laughed, before taking a bite of roasted chicken, "So, Victor, why did you pick this city for the night instead of Whiterun?"
"We have yet to collect our reward from General Tullius, remember?", I chuckled, taking a bite of my porkchop, "Also, this is the closest inn to Castle Volkihar. I presume Serana will want to pay a visit to her home to see her father."
"Haha, did you read my mind or something?", Serana remarked, with a smirk, "Yes, I would like to pay a visit to my childhood home. It is unlikely these past few millennia have improved his personality at all, but I am still willing to give him a chance again."
"So, are all of us heading there together?", Clarice asked, with a curious look.
"Assuming Serana is fine with it, everyone is welcome to come along.", I chuckled, looking toward her, "Is that fine with you?"
"Of course", Serana replied, with a grateful look, "Are you certain that bringing everyone is a good idea though? I cannot promise they will not try and turn all of you into cattle."
Cracking a wicked smile, I confidently nodded my head in confirmation. Knowing that I could easily handle her father and his subordinates, if the need arose, I felt comfortable enough bringing everyone along for this meet and greet. Uncertain where my confidence was coming from, Serana let it be and began to ask Lydia questions about events that happened while she slumbered.
---Next Morning---
Retrieving our reward from the Imperial Headquarters at Castle Dour, we left Solitude and began our trek northwest through the mountains. Putting several miles between us and the city, I called Julnirsov to our location and had him ferry Mylene, Roxanne, and I to Castle Volkihar. Circling the island a few times to find a good landing spot, Julnirsov settled on land on top of the castle's outer wall.
"My apologies, there were not many landing options on this small rock.", Julnirsov said, as the three of us dismounted.
"It is fine, thank you for ferrying us here.", I replied, teleporting the others to our location.
Having watched us circle the castle and land on the wall, Harkon sent several dozen vampires to investigate the situation. Treating us as hostiles initially, their demeanor quickly changed when they caught sight of Serana. Coming to a stop a few yards from us, the vampires examined her for a moment to assure themselves they were not seeing things.
"Lady Serana is that you?!", one of the vampires inquired.
"Yes, it is Orthjolf.", Serana answered, looking at him, "It has been quite a while, has it not?"
Certain that it was indeed Serana, Orthjolf sent the other vampires back to inform Lord Harkon that his daughter had come home. Doing as he commanded, the others swiftly retreated into the castle leaving him alone with us.
"Serana, where have you been all this time?", Orthjolf asked, trying to gather information from her about what transpired back then.
"Sealed inside a casket deep within Dimhollow Crypt. I vaguely remember being sealed away during the period when everyone was off aiding Lord Molag Bal.", Serana answered, "Before you ask, I have not the faintest idea why my mother did it. You will have to ask her yourself."
'So it is true then, Lady Valerica really did seal you away all those years ago.', Orthjolf thought, "That is not possible, I am afraid. Your mother disappeared around the same time you did. Lord Harkon spent over a thousand years searching for you, but never found a trace of either one of you."
"Is that so…", Serana said, immediately regretting her decision to come here, 'What if mother's fears came true? Did father kill her for some ritual sacrifice? If that is the case, she sealed me away to save me…and I just led all of us into the lion's maw…'
Uncertain how to proceed, given the potential dangers lying in wait inside the castle, Serana looked to me for guidance. Giving her a reassuring pat on the back, I encouraged her to continue forward on the path she had chosen. No matter what the outcome of the reunion was today, she had our full support.
"Is something wrong?", Orthjolf asked, uncertain what was going on.
"No, it is nothing. I am just saddened to hear that my mother is missing.", Serana stated, feeling a bit more confident now, "Please lead the way to my father."
"Of course!", Orthjolf agreed, turning around and heading back inside.
Following him, the Ancient Vampire led us to the nearest tower and down two flights of stairs. Crossing the overgrown courtyard, we entered the main building and went straight to the Great Hall. Announcing Serana's arrival, as he pushed the giant doors open, Lord Harkon and all his present subordinates turned to look at us.
"My dear daughter has return home after all these years!", Harkon said, his eyes locked on the Elder Scroll affixed to her back, "Who are these people you have brought with you? Are they your subordinates or cattle by chance?"
"No, they are the ones who freed me from my long slumber.", Serana answered, wanting to make it clear that we were neither food nor toys.
"Ah, I see!", Harkon acknowledged, "Well friends, you have my utmost gratitude for bringing my missing Elder Scroll and daughter back where they belong. Both have been sorely missed over these past few millennia."
Upset that his precious Elder Scroll still took precedence over her, Serana let out a frustrated sigh. Knowing now that nothing would ever change his rotten personality, she knew now that she had no place among them anymore. Focusing now on her missing mother, Serana asked for details about her disappearance.
"So, Father, Orthjolf told me that mother went missing around the same time I did. Do you have any clues as to where she went?", Serana asked, crossing her arms.
"Yes, your spiteful mother left behind a note informing me she had sealed you away and was going into hiding. That traitorous bitch did it all just to thwart my plans to end the tyranny of the sun.", Harkon spat, with any scowl, "Now that you are home again though, my plans can now begin anew."
Tossing the note in question to her, Serana carefully inspected it to confirm it was not a forgery. Recognizing her mother's handwriting anywhere, the young, pure-blood vampire was relieved to know her mother could still be alive and well right now.
"Come Serana, let us celebrate your joyous return with a hearty meal.", Harkon said, motioning for her to take a seat at the table, "As for the rest of you, as a reward for bringing my Elder Scroll and daughter home, I am willing to bestow upon you a powerful gift from our lord, Molag Bal. What say you?"
"We have no desire to become vampires.", I answered, stepping forward, "Serana, do you wish to stay here, or will you continue to accompany us?"
"My Elder Scroll and daughter stay here.", Harkon remarked, glaring at me, "Since you reject my offer, I will allow you to leave this castle in peace just this once. Now begone!"
"I was not speaking to you, rabid bat!", I retorted, shocking all of him and all his subordinates, "The only reason you are still breathing is because Serana held out hope that you had changed over the past few millennia. Even I can see that you are still the same self-serving egomaniac she described to us. Now remain silent and let her speak!"
"Thank you, Victor.", Serana spoke up, with a warm smile, "As he said, it is very apparent now that even the passage of time has not softened your personality in the slightest. All these years I hoped and prayed that our family could return to what it once was, but your endless thirst for power has ruined any hope of that happening! You took everything I cherished and destroyed it! I want nothing to do with you anymore."
"Clearly thousands of years of isolation and the influence of these human cattle has messed with your head. Vingalmo, escort my daughter to her room so she can rest and regain her senses.", Harkon commanded.
Doing as his lord commanded, the Ancient Vampire dashed across the room to seize her. Moving in front of her, I tore him apart with Unrelenting Force sending pieces of him all over the room. Enraged that I had killed one of their comrades, dozens of Harkon's other subordinates charged forward hellbent on taking my head.
"Challenging me will be the last mistake you fools ever make!", I said, eviscerating the horde of vampires with Force Disintegration.
Standing there and watching the bulk of his force be torn apart by me, Harkon realized that I was a very real threat to him. Ordering his remaining subordinates to join him in fighting me, none of them dared to move from where they stood. Calling every one of them cowards, he promptly changed into his Vampire Lord form in a pitiful attempt to intimidate me.
"You sorely overestimate yourself if you believe that pathetic show of force will intimidate me.", I remarked, vanishing from his sight, "Allow me to show you how it is done!"
Reappearing right in front of him, I seized his skull with both hands. Crushing it like a watermelon, his lifeless body turned into a pile of ash as it hit the floor. Looking at the pile of ash that had once been their leader, his remaining subordinates immediately dropped to their knees and lowered their heads to me.