[SKYRIM]: The Name of Time - Miraak & Female Dragonborn Fanfiction - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Drem Yol Lok, Greetings! It has been a while since the last update. Are you still reading this book? Well, I guess finally I have to tie together our beloved Dragonborns together under the sign of Mara. BUT WAIT! It won't be that simple.
Why, you ask? The answer is simple, you simpleton! It will be boring if they just show up in Riften for Marriage. So how is this proposal going to happen?
So, without further ado, let's do further!
"Yvana..." the woman said her name, with a voice as soft as rain in the mid-autumn night. She smiled while gently pressing her hand against the All Maker Stone—the Tree Stone to be precise. They were locking gaze again. Then out of the blue, cluster or Hermaeus Mora's tentacles emerged from nothingness, swallowing her whole, leaving Ammra the sight of Miraak's temple without her trace.
Ammra gasped when Miraak tapped her shoulder. Her mind was then instantly drawn back to reality. "That frown." He chided. "Are you thinking about your dream again?"
"I am sorry, Miraak." She threw him a faint smile apologetically. "It's just...It felt so real and I know she was also a Dragonborn, just like us."
"Yes. I know that is the reason why we are here." He replied. "But you could at least be present when someone is talking."
Her gaze immediately fell upon Storn, who was sitting patiently on the armchair across the fire in the Greathall of Skaal Village. He looked back as if waiting for her to reply. Next to him, Freya stood tall, also putting on the same expression.
Then began the agonizing silence of awkwardness. Ammra remembered this so well because back when she was on earth, she was often getting caught by the teacher while daydreaming during class. The whole class would then give her the questioning stares, just as what Storn and Freya were doing now.
She turned her head to Miraak for help. The man had looked away as if not knowing her, leaving Ammra to her fate. The younger Dragonborn swore she could sense him smirking in amusement behind his emotionless mask—he had grown the habit of enjoying Ammra making fool of herself.
"Oh well..." she cleared her throat nervously.
Ammra was having a strange dream for the past few days. When she decided to investigate alone, Miraak insisted on joining if, out of ill luck, there were any Daedric threats that could harm her—his project of making wedding rings should wait.
"I apologize. I was deep in thought because I had a dream about the All Maker Stone." Ammra said politely.
"Was this the dream when you are seeing a woman standing by the All Maker Stone?" Storn inquired. His deep voice reminded her of a wise old wizard she often read in children's bedtime stories.
Miraak shifted gently on his chair to turn to Ammra for a brief moment before finally laying his gaze at Storn.
Miraak had been calm as always, even after the occurrence of brief commotion when they entered the village. Storn and Freya were alarmed after they know who he was. Before things could get further, Ammra casually blamed everything that happened to Hermaeus Mora, and told them Miraak was framed by the Daedric Prince.
That was how they got to sit amidst the warm fire of the Greathall, instead of fighting with the peace-lover villagers under the snowy weather.
"I can tell Hermaeus Mora has been completely wiped out. This was not his doing." Said he to Storn. "Perhaps you have something to say to the Dragonborn so she would stop worrying."
"You speak the truth. Hermaeus Mora has nothing to do with this." Said Storn. "As the Shaman of this Village, I shared a connection with the All Maker Stone. That is why I can see what the Stones let you see. Perhaps, you, in some way, also have the ability to connect to the power of the creators?"
It suddenly hit her right on the head. Ammra was always able to connect the resonance of the Divines. This would explain why the All Maker Stone let her see something.
"That I do. But why do I see someone else..."
"Time is not as linear as we thought. Perhaps what you see was a sight of a different time."
"Could you mean parallel universe?" she retorted.
"We call it 'Reality' here, little one," Miraak spoke. "The Stones are just another aspect of the Eight Divines. What you saw might be your own aspect, but in different Reality."
"But I was eaten by Hermaeus Mora." she complained.
"You must accept that there are things you cannot control." Said Storn while smiling faintly. He was impressed seeing an outsider be blessed by the All Maker herself.
After the dream was deemed harmless, Storn stopped both Dragonborns from leaving yet. There was a matter he needed them to help; he believed the reason they came to look for his counsel was only the All-Maker's way to answer to his prayer.
Their blacksmith, Baldor Iron-Shaper, had gone missing. Deor Woodcutter, the last person who saw him, claimed that he saw two suspicious elves dragging something southwestwardly, on the day of Baldor disappearance.
"Please look for him if you are heading that way," Storn asked.
"Sometimes your ability to convince someone amazes me, little one," said Miraak after they were quite far from the village. "I did not expect you would blame everything on Hermaeus Mora." he brought up the previous topic that had to be put aside due to the circumstance.
They were now walking through the snow-covered path heading to the southwestern part of the land. Pines with layers of ice flanked their way, swaying once in a while as the wind blew from the sea.
"Well, sometimes a lie is needed to avoid worsening the conflict. In fact, they owe me their shaman's life. So, if they want you to die now, I could ask for his life in return."
"How come?" he asked, stopping at his track. This was something she never told him. He crossed both arms, posing neither taunt nor threat, but rather an amusement and genuine curiosity.
Ammra stopped and turned to him. "Before I came to challenge you, Hermaeus Mora was actually offering me the third word of the power of Bend Will. He said I would need it to defeat you. But I must bring the secret of the Skaal as payment." She paused to sigh, followed by a puff of thin mist. "I know Storn would be killed in the process of giving out the secret, so I never told him and just came to see you directly."
"Is that all?"
A mild mischievous smile plastered on her face. "It was never my intention to defeat you...well it was," she quickly corrected. "But things changed after I accidentally touched your mask. I saw your past with Hermaeus Mora. And...you were asking for my help."
Miraak smirked wondering how he could be tricked by someone as innocent and altruistic as her. In fact, the back of his mind was now busy trying to find a way to complete the wedding ring. He sighed at length and stepped closer to caress her head.
She smiled and leaned in for a hug. The Last Dragonborn snuggled and basked herself in his warmth, which she never had enough of.
"Perhaps I can use Bend Will on you now to make you stop overthinking." He teased to which she let out a muffled giggle. She pulled away an inch to look up. "What do you think?"
The was a brief pause. Then her hand gently put off the mask he's wearing. The cold silent air was about them, still and unmoving, as if waiting for whatever she had to say. Miraak tilted his head when Ammra cupped his face with one hand, leaning against her soft skin.
She smiled before speaking, "My heart is mine to give, and I give it to whoever I want. You don't need Bend Will to make me do your biddings, Miraak. My heart is yours already." Said she, solemn and innocent. Once again, she smiled and continued walking.
His mind went blank for a split second, as a sudden rush of warmth, almost at the same time, washed all thought away. Miraak smirked then caught up. He might never tell her, nor that he wanted to, but her honesty and innocence could sometimes become a deadly weapon that strikes his heart to the point it could melt.
After knowing her dream was not a threat, with all honesty, Miraak was rather in the comfort of the steading doing his project, than searching for someone whose name he paid a little attention to. Spring would come in a few weeks. It would be the best time to propose to her. Being so attuned with the dragon soul he had, Miraak did not realize that this self-imposed mission to court her during the season was actually the natural instinct derived from the dragon.
As they walked side by side through the forest, his mind sometimes wondered about the marriage life they would have. He even thought if they could have children—nestlings he would call them. Miraak sighed at reality, wishing he could've rejected Storn's request.
"Something troubling you, Miraak?" she asked quietly.
"Not at all." he promptly replied after seeing her radiant expression.
After their battle with Hermaeus Mora, Ammra spent most of her time taking rest per his suggestions. He knew she had lost her beast blood and couldn't help but feel she became more prone to getting hurt by other Daedras' cults.
Now that they are traveling together again, he could see her usual kindness that he had longed to see. Marriage and nestlings were then, saving that Skaal was now, being with her in the adventure were now. Thus, the former Dragon priest sighed in contentment and took their journey as some sort of vacation.
"I could teach you the last word of Bend Will. All you have to do is ask." He said out of the blue. "You might need it,"
"Nah, I feel lazy." She retorted. "But I am wondering if you could make another sort of Thu'um since your dragon blood is stronger than mine."
It was an unexpected reply but Ammra was nothing if not unexpected. "It might be possible. Are you challenging me?" He replied at length. He had eons of knowledge and a deep understanding of Dovazul. Making another destructive shout shouldn't be a huge challenge.
Ammra giggled. "Maybe."
"I only accept a challenge with a worthy reward." He replied smugly.
"Make a thu'um to call snowy weather. Cast it on Raven Rock. Nothing big, nothing destructive. Just a shout to create snowy weather."
He frowned but couldn't deny the excitement brought in by their little game. "What's your offer?" he asked at length as they began to see a group of high elves guarding over a lodge. In a single glance, Ammra could tell they were Thalmors.
Without any discussion, as if being eye to eye in silence, each of them took cover behind a tree. Ammra pressed her back against the trunk. She turned to him and whispered, "If you cannot make the thu'um, you have to give me a piggyback ride from Raven Rock to Skaal Village."
"And if I can?" he asked in a low voice.
"What do you want?"
Before he could reply, one of the high elves caught their presence.
A fight broke between them. The high elves, of course, stood no chance against two Dragonborns; two enemies of them ran in terror, two of them flee due to the Dismay shout, one was left frozen by the Ice Form Shout and fainted.
Ammra wasted no time and proceeded to investigate the lodge. Her deft hands picklock the door with ease and as expected, they found Baldor inside. He was bruised and slightly wounded, although he was kept alive for a purpose.
"I do not know this word Thalmor, but if you mean the elves, they were trying to learn the secrets of forging Stalhrim." Baldor explained to her.
Miraak had a feeling that their journey wouldn't end so easily and he was right. The quest expanded and they were asked to retrieve a map from the hands of the elves.
How he really wished to be tucked under a blanket with Ammra!
The day was drawing an end. Baldor reassured them he would be fine going home on his own. Instead, he asked them to bring swift justice to the Altmer.
After promising to help him with the matter, Ammra and Miraak chose to return to Raven Rock and spent the night rest in Saverin Manor, before embarking on another journey the next day.
The warm air was flooding the room where he lay comfortably on the bed. Miraak had changed to a grey nightrobe that was prepared for him. The fire crackled in the heart, sending out a soft scent of burnt wood. The man shifted to his side; eyes wide open to see his normal priest attire. His golden mask glinted with the reflection of the fire. It felt as if he was looking right at his former self.
Came a sigh at length. The home had brought back the memories before he started his journey with Ammra across Skyrim. He recalled how he despised her at first, then smirked after realizing how much things had changed. Then another event came to his mind; the sight of her reading while being half-naked, and he tried to backstabbed her but eventually withdrew. Fool, both of them!
He inhaled contently with eyes shut and slowly drifted to sleep.
It was unknown how long time had passed but there was a loud thud in the middle of the night. Miraak awoke and made his way to her room. As expected, Ammra fell off the bed.
With the gentlest movement, so it wouldn't wake her up, Miraak picked the sleepy Dragonborn and put her back on the mattress. He lay down next to her, pulling Ammra closer for an embrace—partly not wanting to let her go, partly to avoid her falling off again.
Her soft breathing was heard in the still air. Miraak smiled as she snuggled closer to his chest and sleepily clenched his night robe fabric.
"Yvana..." she mumbled the name again in her dream. He was about to ignore her sleep talking when suddenly Ammra added, "Miraak is mine..., go find your own..."
His heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened.
Then with a concerning amount of care, he immediately hushed and gave her head the gentle strokes over and over again, when she inhaled and was about to let out her thu'um. His pride swollen imagining Ammra fighting over him with another Dragonborn in her dream.
"Someone was fighting in her dream last night." he teased her as soon as she woke up. Ammra frowned and turned away in mild annoyance. He held back his chuckle. Miraak scooted closer and leaned in, resting his head on her shoulder as her back met his chest.
When his hand gently moved to her waist for an embrace, Ammra thought he wanted to apologize. Instead, he added," Did you best, Yvanna? What were you two fighting over"
He caught her blushing. The durable arms of his seized her body before Ammra could get up and run. Miraak pulled her closer for morning cuddles while enjoying the tease he made about her rivalry against Yvanna.
"You've never been this upset for so long." He said after she said nothing for almost half of an hour. She had been just burying her face on his chest and snuggling in silence. "Little one?"
It was then he caught her muffled sniffle. Miraak went from haziness to an instant alert. He quickly got to his one elbow to rise above her and threw a look of concern. One of his hands gently wiped the tears away.
"Dragonborn, did something hurt you?"
"I am sorry." Ammra retorted. Still blushing. "I am being a fool crying over a stupid dream. But I saw you chose her over me. And I was left alone with Hermaeus Mora."
He had to muster all of his might to not snort in laugh seeing her innocent confession. The story she brought up was intriguing but he chose to not pry further or made her cry more. "I guess, I am just feeling insecure." She added. "Carla was also a Dragonborn that was taken to our realm by Sheogorath. She could detect another Dragonborn as you do. And she looked so capable."
Miraak remained silent for he knew she still had more to say. "Yvanna that I saw was so smart and brave. She is also strong. And above all, she is...beautiful." Akatosh knew how swollen his ego had become seeing Ammra so afraid of losing him.
Miraak opened his mouth to speak but she suddenly added, "And Yvanna also has big breasts and nice ass. But I am just flat as a table." She groaned weakly in sadness.
Instead of uttering any words—they were evaporating after the sudden remark—Miraak gently pressed their forehead together and land the softest kiss on her lips. It certainly did not leave his attention that Ammra had increasingly become possessive. This could only mean that her Dovah nature had grown to maturity, in response to his.
Miraak found another reason to complete his wedding ring project.
"Fool." Said he without any hint of mockery or scold. Instead, it was soft and caring. "I am yours, Dragonborn. Cease your fear. I will always be your fire and flame."
Thanks to the divines that the matter with the Thalmor went better than expected. As threatening as they appeared, they were nothing before the silver tongue she had. And if she failed—which she did not—those poor High Elves must deal with Miraak's 'eloquent speech'. And if it also failed—which obviously wouldn't—they would have to fight against two creations of Akatosh himself. In which even the person with the lowest intelligence level knew it would be a death wish worth making a song about.
In short, they got the map without bloodshed.
After returning to the Skaal Village, Ammra asked Miraak if they could stay there for like a couple of nights. She said she wanted to be away from the people in Skyrim. Miraak, of course, couldn't deny—especially after he knew they would stay inside a small house together; and slept on the same bed throughout their stay.
Ammra spent most of her time with the women of the Skaal, discussing potions making, and cooking Skaal food. Miraak was content to let her roam around the small village. He could tell she was acting as if she was just one of Skall, without the responsibility she usually had as Thanes. He thought she perhaps needed some break.
Meanwhile, during their stay, Miraak spent most of his time indoors, reading books and writing on blank papers about the concept of shout he was creating. The immeasurable knowledge of his in Arcane Arts and Dovahzul proved useful. He worked methodically in peace. The simple and quiet life around him helped more inspirations pop up.
There was a saying that one tends to forget something if one enjoys what one is doing. Without Miraak and Ammra knowing it, a week had passed. She finally decided it was time to return, and Miraak knew he could now resume his wedding ring project. Finally.
"Can you give me a piggyback ride?" she asked suddenly after they were quite far from Skaal Village.
"I have successfully created the shout. You should be the one who keeps the end of the bargain." Miraak retorted.
Her eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "Seriously? But when did you do it? how?"
He put off his mask and raised one eyebrow proudly. "If it was in the past, you would have been punished for underestimating me," Miraak added with a tease, followed by her giggle.
"Yes, Your Highness. I beg your mercy." She sneered jokingly then stuck out her tongue. Ammra yelped and evaded before his strong arm caught her wrist and pulled her for an embrace. "Let's put your new thu'um at test." She added as they were drawing near the settlement.
"Come to think of it, why do you want to make it snowy there?"
"I don't know." She shrugged. "I just think it would be funny to see them suddenly shiver. And it would be amazing to see these people see a layer of white snow covering their town after seeing the ash blanket their whole life."
Miraak sighed. He should have guessed her idea was out of mischief, and better yet, he just let himself get involved...willingly. Now he wondered who actually had the skill to bend a will.
"I should have asked why Akatosh paired us together." Said he in a concealed amusement. Ammra just giggled in return, being so attuned to his sarcastic remarks. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"I am ready when you are. "Ammra retorted in curiosity.
Miraak only gave faint smile. Ammra had always been viciously endearing whenever his eyes beamed with excitement out of her own little mischief. Miraak inhaled and let out his thu'um skyward.
Od Ven Iiz..
For a few seconds, there was nothing except the growing silence. Then Ammra felt the wind veer; now coming from the northern part of the land; where snow mostly fell. Just like how Storm Call Shout did, this new shout drew think cloud closer, yet they did not seem dangerous.
As the temperature began to drop rapidly, a puff of thin mist escaped her lips as Ammra gasped in surprise when the first snow fell around them. She grinned ear to ear and looked skyward in awe, both hands reaching to the sky.
"IT WORKED!" She cheered. He chuckled when seeing her running around, catching the snowflakes. "TEACH ME! I WANT TO KNOW THIS TOO!" She run into him for a hug and pulled away. "Back in my world, it was considered romantic to experience the first snowflake together during wintertime."
"So, you are implying we can do the same like what your world suggests?" he said with a mild suggestive taunt.
"I am... if you can catch me!"
Feim Zii Gron...
Ammra shouted Become Ethereal Thu'um before Miraak could grab her. She laughed and ran toward the city. Behind her, the man just chuckled then caught up.
The snow bought awe and wonder for everyone in Raven Rock. People stopped at whatever they were doing to gaze at the sky, some with their palms open to catch the flakes. Many questions were popping up on their minds; is this some sort of Daedra's doing? Is the Red Mountain now letting our snow? What could this possibly mean? None of them knew that the snow was merely a practical joke pulled by their hero, who had helped them reopen the mine.
Everything was covered in white when Ammra reached the town center, giving the city a new look. The snow kept falling gently in the cold air. She was panting in excitement, letting out a puff of think mist in every breath.
Ammra giggled seeing their confused faces. Captain Veleth, who was patrolling, as usual, stopped by her and said, "This is indeed a strange phenomenon. But it was nice to see another thing than ash." Then carried on his guard duty.
"The result is just as I predicted." Miraak's voice rang from behind. He had put his mask on again but looked away to observe the effect of his newly made Thu'um. "The wind strength is just right."
Ammra turned to brush the snow off his shoulder. He looked down at her; his eyes meeting hers through the mask.
"Thank you, Miraak." She said solemnly. "This is just as I imagine." She added with the voice dripped with admiration of his art of work. He saw her exhaling and relaxing. "It is Evening Star in Skyrim, and it resembles December in my world. I missed my parents and our time together during Christmas. We often sat together by the window and watched the snowfall."
His hand moved to wipe a single tear rolled down her face. Now he understood her reason behind all of this mischief. It was ignorant of him to overlook her feeling. It had just been several months since she discovered the truth about her death. The wounds might not yet heal completely.
"I am glad you like it," said he, and she just giggled while sniffling for one last time.
"Well, I guess I need to keep my end of the bargain," said she. "What do you want as a reward?"
No immediate answer came from him. In fact, Miraak just remembered he forgot to mention the desirable reward. At length, he just shrugged and deemed her excitement was enough.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, little one. I expect nothing." Said he while patting her head.
Again, he saw her inhaling and exhaling deeply as if readying herself. Even if she tried hard to hide it, Miraak could see her nervousness.
"I think it's time." Said she quietly.
Miraak was about to ask what she meant when he was interrupted by Ammra opening a little wooden box between them, right in front of his eyes.
Before him now, a pair of Stalhrim bands glinted dimly under the cold weather. Then came the word he'd never expected from her, "Miraak, will you marry me?" her voice was soft, but ringing loud and clear on purpose so people near them would hear it. The passing crowd who happened to hear were put to an instant halt.
Did she just propose to him?!
Miraak did not respond at once. His mind went blank. He couldn't register the situation instantly and just stood there while slowly putting off his mask. The bystanders—who already grew in number—were also holding their breath in waiting.
"Say yes!" Miraak heard whispers from afar.
This was not unwelcomed and totally not wrong, although was also not right. Miraak knew he should be the one who propose instead of her. Now he was unsure if he had to laugh, blush, scold or tease the woman before him. He really felt the need to counsel Akatosh why she was so...unexpected.
Despite the sudden surprise, Miraak did not keep her waiting too long to get embarrassed. Ammra saw how his perplexed face softened and finally, he smiled. "Yes, Dragonborn." Said he. Silence had made his voice heard by everyone. Instantly the crowd erupted in cheer.
He submitted when Ammra pulled off his glove and put the ring on his finger. Only Akatosh knew how dizzying the reality and joy he felt; making the mind of a collected man when totally blank.
Ammra instantly jumped and hugged his neck. The snow around them flew back upward, followed by gasps of awe from everyone when she caught his lips for a sudden kiss. Miraak felt the world was abruptly thrown to a faraway distance, leaving the only force that kept him intact; it was her.
She pulled back and smiled. "This is my reward for successfully making a new thu'um for me. Thank you," a small cry left her lips when a strength refused her letting go.
This time Miraak was the one who pulled her closer into another kiss; slower dan deliberating, making the snowfall downward again. "I let you win this time, little one," said he after pulling away to hug her.
"I tricked you again staying in Skaal Village. Actually, it was for making these rings."
As he felt the material, suddenly Miraak was sure that it would be strong enough to imbue their Magica within. Perhaps, his project would still commence after all.
"Once we are married, I warned you, I wouldn't be this lenient." Said he with a mild taunt with concealed seduction. When he caught her blushing, Miraak knew that they were on the same page. Finally.