Serene of Cyrodiil, Chapter 8, Love and Death Options

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So at last chapter 8 will be revealed after a very long time. But first I will present an Interlude... Enjoy!

Ald’ruhn, Very late evening of 11th of Sun’s Dusk 3E 451

20 Years after the Events at Red Mountain and the disappearance of the Blight

I shut the door silently behind me. My heart is pounding and I am panting heavily from having run as fast as I could from the Square, I wanted to get home as quick as possible, before anyone noticed I had been out.

This is strange behavior for the Archmaster of a Great House I know, but things happened today that affect me tremendously.

It started this morning at dusk when Kausha, my maid, told me that Athynae currently is in residence at Bal Isra, with Baria and Trey! And she had been there for at least two weeks...without even tell me! Kausha said she heard it from Cai, who she had met at the Mage’s Guild last night. Naturally I was upset; my daughter, being away for quite some time on some sort of mission, then she returned and did not even bother to tell me. That was unacceptable behavior and I was determined to let her answer to me for that. Athyn had been worried all the time and he still is, I know that.

But the real shock came tonight. I went out for a walk an hour ago and reaching the Plaza I overheard a conversation between the two most important men in my life; Athyn and Sethyas.

I now wish I had stayed in tonight, because what I heard is written in fiery letters inside my head; I need to write it down in my current journal, and I will, but not just now, I can’t!

Now I need to do something I should have done years ago really, but there has never been a good time to do it. I must give Athynae my first journal, the one I wrote 15 years ago but never gave to her because…well I don’t really know why, it just never felt right to do it.

But now is the time, so I take the old worn book from the bottom of my personal chest, wrap it in a red piece of cloth and put it in my backpack.

The road to Bal Isra is dark as usual; I know it’s not safe to walk that road during the night, but there is no turning back from this; it has to be done immediately, otherwise I again will find a reason not to give it to her…

I see the flickering lights from Bal Isra as I approach; Hetman Guls is as always guarding the gates.

“Why, archmaster! What brings you here at this unsacred time?”

I put my hand over his mouth “Shhh, please, I just need to leave something here,” I say hesitantly, feeling very awkward. Well trained guard that he is, Hetman just nods at me. What he is thinking I can only guess!

I open the door very slowly; my hands are trembling as I take the book out and silently place it on the small table beside the door and then shut the door behind me.

The way back is even darker; I can barely see my feet in front of me. Of course my sight is clouded by the tears that run down my face.

I close the doors of Sarethi Manor after me for the second time this evening and head straight for my bedroom. My head is empty and numb; I am no better that a scared child, sneaking in and just leaving the journal for Athynae to find! The right thing would of course have been to read it with her and be there to answer her questions…because there will be questions!

And Athynae does not know what I just found out! When I think of it I start tremble again and I just fling myself on the bed and fall into a deep, dark sleep…

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One's first love is always perfect until one meets one's second love.
Elizabeth Aston

The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is a duty of the living to do so for them.
Lois McMaster Bujold

Chapter 8 Deepest love and terrifying death

I had to put down the quill. If only I could end my story there and then I would do it, but that was impossible. The events that were to come affected me and my family to a great extent and it would be unfair not to write about them. Nevertheless, I had to prepare mentally to do it; what I was about to describe was a very dark part of my life, a part that caused me unspeakable pain, but also true happiness. I looked at the last sentence I had written;

“There are no such things as happy endings.”

That is not completely true. Even when life really has about reached its bottom level, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel!

If only the tunnel didn’t have to be so long and dark!

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As I had promised Sethyas, I started to plan his wedding with Ilmeni. Of course I did it in cooperation with the becoming bride; it would have been rude not to involve her!

Besides the wedding planning I also had a Great House to run, not on my own but all the final decisions were mine to take. Sometimes I wondered if my council, consisting of men only, really wanted my final opinion or just did it to show off. Of course I didn’t for a second suspect either Athyn or Sethyas to be like that… But still female leadership was not at all common in Vvardenfell at that time.

The EEC company in Ebonheart was prospering; naturally great House Hlaalu was a major part of the business, but thanks to my stepson Varvur’s skills, House Redoran made a fair profit from it. The Caldera Mining Company was securely in our hands and made a good contribution to the economy of the House.

Our Forts, the ones on Vvardenfell Island and on the Mainland, were doing fine; the only problem we had was Fort Frostmoth on Solstheim. I was not happy about it and surely had no wish to go to Solstheim to sort it out, so I sent Sethyas. Maybe not so nice of me, considering he was soon to be married, but he volunteered at the latest Great Meeting…

As Ilmeni and I started the real planning of the wedding we found out that some families from Houses Redoran and Hlaalu did not support their union; fortunately it was just a few deeply opposed, with a larger majority that did not care.

For Hlaalu it did not seem to rub too many the wrong way, as it did not cost them money, since I had decided that the Sarethi Family would cover all the costs. That was the least we could do after all Sethyas had done for us. For Redorans in general, they were hesitant to allow a Hlaalu amongst their ranks, but Athyn and I both spoke very highly of Ilmeni, and sponsored her.

By tradition, the male's house became the House for both Husband and Wife, though Duke Dren did make a strange offer to allow Sethyas to enter Hlaalu as an Honorary member for all that he had done, possibly making him the first Houseman to join two houses. But he refused, realizing that it was too much of a conflict of interest.

The planning of the ceremony lasted for weeks; I decided to put in a huge effort in it, because I wished it to be a memorable day for Ilmeni and Seth, my dearest friends of all.

The ceremony should take place at Vivec’s Palace, with the God himself performing the actual ceremony. Somehow Sethyas had made up this setting, just so appropriate I thought.

On my part I arranged the big staircase leading to Vivec’s palace to be spotlessly clean and polished. Maybe that was not really my task, but I wanted to personally see to all arrangements.. A red carpet was put on top of it, a carpet with traditional Redoran embroideries.

I asked the Ordinators to block access to the High Fane for three days prior, so we could make the final arrangements in peace.

As ancient traditions bade, the night before the wedding day, the becoming bride should have her last night of freedom, literally speaking, so Vendrela Aravel, Nartise Arobar, Nalvyna Sarinith, and I went to St. Delyn and “kidnapped” Ilmeni. We had hired a gondola and sailed between the Cantons of Vivec til we reached the shore. It was a beautiful evening; the sky was almost clear with a few pinkish clouds, and we sat down enjoying the mass of food and drink we brought- and we talked. Women-talk of course…

“Are you happy, Ilmeni?” My question was maybe stupid; of course she should be happy, marrying one of the best men I knew of, but I felt I just had to ask her anyway. She nodded and took my hand to her cheek.

“Yes, Serene, I’m very happy. You and Athyn have been so nice to me; I have felt your support and love all the time. You accepted me at once, despite I’m Hlaalu, and I appreciate that more than you can imagine.”

I embraced her, telling her how I enjoyed her marrying Seth, that she would be like a sister to me, and that would be like fulfilling an old dream of mine.

The night was long gone before we headed back to Ilmeni’s apartment. We were supposed to stay the night at her place and then in the morning help her with her dress.

And then the big day came.

Athyn would act as Sethyas’ best man; they were both supposed to wear traditional red silk Redoran shirts. It’s always easier for men; they just put on a nice clean shirt and there they go!

For a woman it’s completely different. The wedding dress Milie Hastien had made for Ilmeni was a wonderful creation in red and golden yellow, the colors of both Houses, red for Redoran and yellow for Hlaalu. Ilmeni looked just gorgeous in it. Vendrela dressed her hair, a classic simple creation, which made her look like a queen. As a final touch we put a few Gold Kanet petals by her left ear, a golden tribute to her Hlaalu heritage.

I hesitated a second before putting my dress on; it was a beautiful creation in white silk with embroideries in pure gold, quite revealing, leaving one shoulder bare and just a strap on the other one kept it up.

The Red Star of the Redoran was hanging between my breasts, shimmering with its internal magica. I let my long brown hair flow down on one side and just put one single Stoneflower in it. It was a special Stoneflower, not light blue as they usually are; no this one was dark blue-violet, matching my eyes actually. This special species grew in Gnisis, in a pot inside Arvs Drelen, and Baladas Demnevanni had created a modification of the original. He actually called it “Serene’s Dream” out of courtesy to me!

A gondola with torches and wreaths and ropes of flowers decorating it transported us to the High Fane. Slowly gliding across the waters, we approached the gondolier port. Kneeling at the stern, in her wonderful wedding dress, Ilmeni smiled from ear to ear. I stood behind her, as her Matron of Honor, confident that this mixture of Imperial and Dunmeri traditions was fitting.

Ilmeni and I disembarked and walked slowly up the ramp, and made our way to the Palace of Vivec. Fanfare began to play in traditional Dunmeri music, and Vivec exited his palace, standing directly outside his door. He had not changed his attire, and he had the same calm and objective look he always had

Sethyas and Athyn were standing to one side of the steps with a strong contingent of Redoran Blood Guards standing at attention with ebony spears. On the bride’s side, Duke Dren, in polished ebony armor, looking at Sethyas with a measure of pride and nervousness, was realizing that he was finally marrying off his daughter. He gazed down at the small gathering of Hlaalu nobles and servants and guards on his side. Standing just below him was Rayne Alas, looking rather beautiful in her bridesmaid gown, and with Kreshweed flowers in her dark hair.

Master Aryon, and the Ashlander Ashkans Sul-Matuul and Kaushad, with his recent bride, were in the guest seating area, along with; I couldn’t believe it, Sedrane Mirpal and Shara, his Urshilaki wife!

Ilmeni reached Sethyas, and they took each other’s hands, and both looked upwards to Vivec.

"To those who seek love and the blessings of it, climb the stairs before you. Come to me if your hearts are true, and your intentions clear. Arise from the mundane, and ascend to the Sacred," he called out in a strong voice, the divinity largely faded from it.

Ilmeni and Sethyas were exactly seven steps below him, and they recited the Seven Virtues of the Temple, one with each step, Athyn and I following one step below them. Vedam Dren and Rayne Alas one step below that; Varvur Sarethi and Vendrela Aravel on the step below them. Sul-Matuul and Kaushad the step below that, and finally Salyn Sarethi and Eno Hlaalu on the last step

Vivec levitated ever so slightly above the couple, and overlooked the crowd.

"It is rare, and a joyous occasion, that two Mer may come together, and lay claim to the each other’s hearts. But this is one of those days, in the light of the Sun, no longer blocked by the Shadow of Red Mountain! Hail Savior! Hail Redoran! Hail Dunmer! The Blessings of the Tribunal I bestow upon the two before me now! May your children’s children know of this day as the greatest achievement in your lives! For you have overcome yourselves and the shadows within and without, and come to lay your claim to happiness."

His gaze fell to Sethyas.

"And now, in the presence of House, Kin, and Friend, and the Blessed Temple- do you swear your love and fealty to Ilmeni Dren, Sethyas Velas? To forswear all others, in blight and in light, in poorness and plenty, til death release you?"

"I do."

"And, do you, in the presence of House, Kin, and Friend, and the Blessed Temple. Do you swear your love and fealty to Sethyas Velas, Ilmeni Dren? To forswear all others, in blight and in light, in poorness and plenty, til death release you?"

"I do."

"Then in the Name of Almsivi, I name you, Lord Redoran Sethyas Velas, and Lady Redoran Ilmeni Velas, Husband and Wife. As one for the rest of the Tides of Eternity, let no one and nothing stand before or between you. You may kiss your Bride." Vivec’s voice lowered on the last sentence to a tone of pride.

Sethyas took Ilmeni in his arms, and kissed her deeply, as if the final moment between his past and future was sealed with their embrace. I felt tears rise in my eyes; Athyn took me in his arms, and held me close, whispering:

“ Soon it will be you and me, that is if you will have me.”

My answer was just a deep kiss…