Chapter Text
There was no direct road leading from Fort Dawnguard to the shoreline that would lead across to Castle Volkihar. That meant horses were loaded down with supplies as well as soldiers, so it ended up taking three whole days, not helped by the weather that slowed our progress to a crawl more than once. But we travelled in quite a large number, the ranks of the Dawnguard swelling since my first days with the organisation.
Arriving on the exposed and desolate north-west coast of Skyrim, the closest fortification was Northwest Keep, which I knew was inhabited by the Thalmor. Though I would have loved nothing more than clearing it out, now wasn’t the time to go picking another fight. Not yet, anyway.
We camped a final night, making final preparation for the next morning, agreeing to travel across at first light.
Getting across wasn’t a major problem, agreeing to just take a few soldiers over on the boat and making sure we were not seen doing it. I was sent over first with Serana, scoping out the area around the castle, but there were no obvious patrols, so we simply remained on the beach, establishing a perimeter, until the others joined us. Including Lydia and my three Companions, there were perhaps forty of us in total. More than enough to take the castle in my opinion.
Crouching behind a boulder, the bridge leading to the castle around one hundred metres away, Isran asked Serana, “Will they see us approach?”
“To be honest, they probably already know we’re here.” She looked at me. “Ragnar, all I can suggest is that you clear a path to the main gates with that gift of yours. Once we’re inside, Isran, you take everyone and head to the main hall and then push them back. Ragnar and I will peel off. I know where my father will be waiting for us. He’ll want to face me alone, hoping to convince me to give up the bow.”
“Okay, I’ll have a last word with the men, then we’ll make our move,” Isran said, moving off.
I stepped closer to Serana. “You ready for this?” I asked quietly.
She took a deep breath. “Always knew this day would come eventually, when I’d have to choose between my father or my mother. But he’s insane, Ragnar. He’s been consumed entirely by this ridiculous prophecy. I see no other way of dealing with this other than killing him.”
“Can you do that?”
She met my eyes. “I haven’t come all this way to hesitate now. It… won’t be easy. He’s still my father. Somewhere deep inside is the father I grew up with and adored. But that’s far too long ago now. Far too much has happened between then and now. I can’t forgive him, no matter what he tries to say.”
“I’m by your side all the way.”
She leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Ragnar.”
Unsheathing my sword, I heard the call of ‘Forward!’ from Isran, Serana and I leading the Dawnguard towards the bridge. The gates ahead opened, vampires flooding out to meet us. The gargoyles to either side of the bridge woke up at the same time. I gestured for Serana to hang back a couple of steps as I strode forward confidently. Once they were in range, I unleashed my Thu’um.
YOL – TOOR – SHUL
There were immediate cries as vampires and gargoyles found themselves doused in flames. With a final cry, we rushed forward, hacking and slashing our way forward. Serana was firing all manner of spells. Recognising fire worked best against her own kind, it was amusing to see flames shoot from her palm, enormous fire balls flung into the distance, leaving those close for us to deal with swords, axes and shields.
Getting across the bridge didn’t take too long, in all honesty. Once we had the upper hand, Isran yelled for Serana and I to break through and make for her father, the Dawnguard would deal with everyone else. Taking Serana by the hand, I stabbed and hacked my way forward, making it through the gates, quickly followed by Lydia and the three Companions, who veered off one way as Serana told me to head left.
We entered the chapel cautiously, our eyes searching left and right for any sign of Harkon. She pointed ahead towards what I thought was a fountain. When I stated that sentiment, she shook her head. "That is no fountain, Ragnar. It is a shrine to Molag Bol himself." Waiting next to the shrine was Harkon. Or, it may have been Harkon. "And there is my father. In his other form, naturally."
I stepped towards the middle of the room, confidently if not arrogantly, my bloodied sword pointing down for the moment. Serana stayed at my side, matching each of my steps with her own. She took the bow from her back, taking an arrow and nocking it, readying to fire when required. Surprisingly, Harkon spread his arms wide.
"Serana, my darling daughter. I see you still favour keeping a pet."
"You know why we're here, father. It's time to end this madness, once and for all."
"Of course I know why you're here. You disappoint me, Serana. You've taken everything I've provided for you and thrown it all away for this pathetic being."
That was the second jibe he had sent in my direction in a matter of seconds. My hand gripped my sword that little bit tighter and it took all the self-control at my disposal not to charge forward or just unleash my Thu’um and begin hostilities. Serana must have noticed the slight change in my body language as she moved a hand from her bow to my sword hand. It was the briefest of touches but one her father couldn't have missed.
"Provided for me? Are you insane? You've destroyed our family and brought terror to the people of Skyrim, all over some prophecy that you barely understand. But let me tell you something, father. I do now understand the prophecy. I know who was responsible. And he is now dead. So I say this. No more. I'm done with you. And you will not touch Ragnar. Not now. Not ever."
He hissed. "So, I see this dragon has fangs. Your voice drips with the venom of your mother's influence. How alike you've become."
She scoffed, almost laughed at him. "No. I'm nothing like my mother, because unlike her, I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore. Not with Ragnar by my side."
He looked in my direction. "It appears I have you to thank for turning my daughter against me. I knew it was only a matter of time before she'd return with hatred in her heart."
"You don't need to thank me. She reached this point on her own. Your pathetic attempts at parenting were more than enough to lead her along this path. All I've done is help her and show her there is another way."
Her father scoffed. "You don't care about Serana. You're only interested in the power of the bow."
"That's where you're wrong. I care next to nothing for the bow. It is a means to an end. But you... You don't just threaten our existence as humans, you threaten Serana herself with your stupid prophecy. The simple fact is that I won't let you hurt her. Not anymore. And never again."
"The vampire hunter will protect and care for the vampire? You'll kill her as soon as you're done with me."
"That's not going to happen. I'd never harm Serana. I will only ever stop those who would cause her harm."
"And why is that?"
"Because I love her."
He laughed long and hard at those four words. All that did was infuriate me further. I'm tired of people laughing at me. If Serana or someone I know, respect, or love does it, it's not meant to offend me. Sometimes, I am an idiot and say silly things. But when a foe does it to mock me, it simply leaves me wanting to cut them in half. "You... love my daughter? You love a vampire?"
"I love her enough to die fighting you if that is what's required. I love her because of who she is, not what she is. That's never bothered me. And she knows that."
"And what do you think of all this, Serana?"
"I love him too." I couldn't help but smile when she said those words without hesitation, considering it was her father. "And together we're putting an end to your madness."
He shook his head, almost sadly, not that I felt an ounce of pity for him. "Then my daughter is truly lost. She died the moment she accepted a mortal into her life."
I’d like to say that it was a long fight, that it was honourable, that we fought heroically, that it would be sung by bards for centuries to come. But it was nothing like that. It was an ugly, brutal fight. It always would be against a creature such as Harkon. He was powerful, able to withstand the power of my Thu’um more than once. But he could not withstand bloodied arrows that were fired by Serana.
He summoned his own creatures, of course. Powerful gargoyles that left me distracted, leaving Serana to face her father alone. The one clear memory I have of that fight is when he attacked her while I was distracted by a pair of gargoyles. All I remember is her scream as she took the full brunt of an attack I didn't see. I remember glancing back to see her crumple to the ground and fearing that she was dead. And then the rage built within. The sort of rage that felt like my blood was boiling. The two gargoyles I was fighting were dead in seconds. Then I focused all my anger on Harkon. He appeared pleased with himself as I faced him down, casting another concerned glance towards Serana.
"She will recover eventually. And then I will ensure my victory by using the bow. Her sacrifice will ensure the dominance of my kind."
"Over my dead body."
He laughed at me, which simply increased my rage further. "My dear boy, that's exactly what I'm planning."
"Your kind will soon be extinct."
He scoffed at the remark. "And what of your supposed love for Serana?"
"I know what she is. But I love her for who she is. And she will always be under my protection. From you. And from anyone out there."
"Pathetic. You will never understand the power that she or I wield."
"I know enough." I raised my sword. "Now, enough talk. Let us end this, once and for all."
I ignored all the wounds I would receive. I know blood was dripping from me in the end. Somehow, I still don't know how, I survived the fight. But I didn't get the killing blow. I'd done enough to wear him down through sheer bloody mindedness. But it was Serana who got in the fatal shot. Unbeknownst to her father or myself, she had woken up and managed to move herself into a seated position. It was only when she called out my name that I knew what she was doing, pushing Harkon back enough to see an arrow fly into his chest. Then another one joined alongside. Then a third and fourth. I stepped back as a bright light appeared in his chest and I took a few steps back as a blood curdling scream escaped his mouth.
He then seemed to disappeared into a fine mist, for a brief few moments, before he reformed as a swarm of bats, which flew around the chapel twice. I tracked the bats, waiting to attack wherever they landed. They stopped near the shrine and I followed. He formed into Harkon, the more human looking kind, as blood poured from the wounds in his chest, from out of his mouth and nose, and I knew the end was near. I felt a presence alongside, glancing to see Serana still armed with the bow. She said nothing as she simply raised it and fired a final arrow, right where his heart may have once been, a long time ago. That ended it as he cried out one final time, saying only his daughter's name, before he dissolved into nothing more than a pile of ash.
Serana seemed to stagger and I threw an arm around her waist as she leaned into me. She gestured with her head and I helped her forward towards the remains of her father. "I'm sorry, father. But you left me no choice," she muttered quietly. Then she turned towards me. "Hold me. Please," she nearly pleaded.
She shed no tears for the man but I wrapped both arms around her, resting her head against my chest, both of us breathing deeply as it had been quite the fight. We heard no sound from outside, figuring the fighting had ceased out there as well. Taking her by the hand, I led her outside, where a few Dawnguard were walking around, putting their swords through the few bodies that may have still caused a problem. Aela, Lydia and the twins glanced in our direction and grinned, Isran approaching us.
“It’s done?” We both nodded. “Then it’s finally over, and the prophecy dies with him. I’m… sorry you had to kill your own father.”
“My father died a long time ago, Isran. Our family did, the day we underwent that ritual. What he did to me, what he did to us… We gave up our humanity to become what we are.”
“So what will you do now?”
Serana glanced up at me for a moment. “There are one or two things I must do before I move on with my life. To be honest, I’d like nothing more than to burn this castle to the ground, take it down stone by stone. Nothing but bad memories now. What I do know is that it isn’t home, not anymore.”
“Would you like to keep the bow?”
Serana shook her head and immediately handed it over. “It should be protected by the Dawnguard. I know we haven’t seen eye to eye, Isran, but I know your group will keep the people of Skyrim safe in the future.”
“And what about you, Ragnar? I assume your time with us is at an end.”
I nodded. “The crisis is over, Isran. I think you have plenty of soldiers ready to keep Skyrim safe. The main source has been eliminated but there are still vampires lurking in the shadows.”
“We’ll keep Skyrim safe, Ragnar. Don’t you worry about that. For now, we’ll mop up operations here and then return to Fort Dawnguard. Whatever happens next, trust that our fort is always open to you both.”
As he disappeared, Lydia and Aela approached. “So what now?” Lydia asked.
“I have one more thing I need to do,” Serana stated, “I need to tell my mother that it’s now safe. I’m hoping she’ll return with me though I’m not sure where she’d like to live considering there’s no-one here now.”
“Would she get a cure?” I wondered.
“Hmmm. I’m not sure, to be honest. I can always suggest it.”
“Where will you go after this?” Aela asked.
“The College. Why don’t you and Lydia head there and wait for me?”
“We’ll do just that. Gods, she is going to be so excited when you get back, Ragnar.”
“I know; it’s been a while since I was there but this needed resolving.”
Lydia and Aela hugged us both, then we shook hands with the twins, before Serana and I made our way back through the castle towards the laboratory. I didn’t particularly want to be turned into a vampire this time, so she offered to soul trap me. It was a simple, painless spell, and we entered the Soul Cairn without a problem. Having cleared out anything dangerous during our first visit, the path to her mother was clear, though I still found the place weird, even spooky.
Valerica was busy reading a book when I cleared my throat. She turned and stood up immediately, approaching us with a curious look on her face, no doubt eager to hear what we told her. “Harkon is dead,” I stated.
"Harkon is dead," I stated.
"Are you certain?"
"He's dead, mother. He died by my hand."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."
"You're free to leave now. The only question is what you’d like to do?”
“I… I honestly don’t know. I thought I’d be trapped here forever.” She paused before asking, “What will you do, Serana?”
She looked at me and smiled. “I’m going to be cured, mother. I’ve lived a very long time now. But I want to live again.”
I looked at Valerica. She smiled. “Maybe it’s time we both did that?”
“Really?” Serana asked in surprise.
“Being what we are has done nothing but bring us both pain. It’s destroyed us, Serana. It’s never been worth the price. Maybe if we restore ourselves, we will find our way in the world once again.”
“Come with us,” I suggested.
“Let me grab a few things and I’ll join you at the exit.”
As we walked back alone, I had to ask, “Are you sure?”
“Ragnar, I want you to feel my heartbeat when we make love. Of course, that’s not the only reason. I’ve live a long life, and there are downsides to immortality. Watching friends and loved one’s die most of all. And I don’t want to see that happen to you nor the girls."
“So we’re all going to grow old together?”
“I’d love nothing more, Ragnar.”
Valerica joined us at the steps leading out. Climbing out and seeing the state of the laboratory, I think she understood just how long she’d been gone. Leading her through the ruins of the castle, I thought she might have felt sadness or disappointment. Instead, she felt only anger at her husband, blaming him for everything that happened. “I willingly became a vampire,” she added, “I will add that much…” Then she stopped and took Serana by both hands. “What he did to you… I’m sorry, Serana. My only daughter defiled…”
Serana hugged her mother tightly. “I forgive you,” she whispered, “My father was too powerful, even then. Stopping him was impossible. I can’t blame you for it. I blame him.” She leaned back. “Besides, Ragnar has shown me… um…”
Valerica looked at me. “You have made love to my daughter?”
“I have.”
The smile was a surprise. “Good. I’m glad she has a man in her life who will show her love in such a manner.”
Making our way back to the main hall, the bodies lay strewn across the floor, along with the dried pools of blood I remembered seeing from the endless victims. Valerica did wonder where Harkon lay, explaining that there wasn’t a body left, just a pile of ash. Otherwise, she realised there wasn’t much for her to collect for leaving, as Harkon had spent a long time destroying any sign of her presence.
Crossing the bridge and turning back to the castle, Serana did ask, “Don’t suppose your gift is powerful enough to destroy it?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, it can just lay abandoned then.”
“Where will you go, Valerica?” I asked.
“I’m honestly not sure. Let’s worry about a cure first then I’ll concern myself with what we would do next.”
Horses were waiting on the opposing shore for us, thankfully with some supplies, so we agreed to just make camp for the evening and begin our journey east the next morning. There was a little food I could eat, the three of us around the campfire. Now that she was free of her cage, I’ll admit that Valerica was delightful company. A little bitter about things, naturally, but she was pleased to see her daughter was now awake and enjoying life. She asked me plenty of questions and I think she was overall impressed by what she heard.
There were two tents, so Valerica took one, Serana and I the other. It was still a little cold so we didn’t strip off completely for bed, cuddling under furs. I didn’t particularly want to make love with her mother in the other tent, but that didn’t stop me from giving Serana some attention with my fingers. She loved the fact I was willing to do it for nothing in return, covering her light moans by kissing her.
Once I’d given her an orgasm, she simply cuddled into me for a few minutes. “Will it always be like this?”
“I hope so. Can you… handle sharing me?”
“I’ll learn, Ragnar. Remember, I watched you make love with Mirabelle, and the way you looked at her… well, you look at me the same at least. It will take some adjusting, but I just want to be cured.”
“What will your mother do?”
“I’m not sure, but… do you mind if wherever we end up, she comes with us? We spent so long apart and you’ll probably realise we’re quite alike.”
“I don’t mind if it makes you happy.”
We eventually gave into temptation and made love a little later, enjoying the feeling of sliding my cock inside her, feeling her legs tight to my body as we kissed a little, tried to keep the noise down, and when she enjoyed an orgasm while on her back, the smile on her face… it was something I’d remember for the rest of my life.
Waking the next morning and stepping out into bright sunlight, Valerica was sat by the fire. I took a seat, breaking apart some bread, offering her some which she politely refused. She kept giving me looks, which I couldn’t interpret, so she eventually stated rather bluntly, “You made love to my daughter last night.”
I wasn’t going to be embarrassed by it. “We made love.”
“You don’t mind the fact she’s a vampire?”
“No. It never has bothered me, to be honest. I look past what she is. There’s more to her than red eyes and fangs. It might not beat, but she’s got a big heart. She’s intelligent, undoubtedly brave, and there is a… goodness, for want of a better word.” I glanced at Valerica. “I’m sure she’s taken some of it from her mother.”
“No, Serana is how she is because of who she is. Harkon and I… we were good parents to start with, or at least I like to think so. But because of who we worshipped… I was always a devotee, but Harkon was something else. And once he started to learn about the power he could have, his obsession overtook everything else important in his life.” She paused before asking, “Did… Serana go into detail about… the ritual…”
“She did. Perhaps the main reason why I wanted to kill him. To do something like that to your own flesh and blood…”
Valerica looked away over the water. “I’ll never get over the guilt of just standing there, doing nothing. But it was a daedric god. And then when Harkon was ordered, but he seemed to relish the prospect, I knew in that moment I’d lost my husband. But all it did was prove how strong my daughter is.”
“I’m nothing but resilient, Mother,” Serana stated as she walked out of the tent, taking a seat next to me, “But can we please drop the subject.”
“Of course. I’m sorry, I just wondered if he knew.”
“Ragnar knows nearly everything about me and about us, Mother. There are no secrets between us, because we trust each other.”
“Good.” She took a deep breath. “Okay, so what’s the plan?”
“We ride to Morthal so Serana is cured,” I replied, “Will you be undergoing the ritual too?”
Valerica hesitated a few seconds before nodding. “It’s about time we put an end to all of this. What we became cost me nearly everything. It’s time to undo it all. I’ll live out my final years in peace, knowing my daughter is safe.”
“Okay, let’s pack up camp and head off.”
“Serana, you ride with Ragnar. I’ll take the spare horse.”
I gave Serana a glance. “No feeling me up while we’re riding along, Ragnar.” She paused before adding, “Well, as long as Mother doesn’t see.”
To her credit, Valerica simply laughed as I stood up and started to pack up camp. Once the tents were packed, the fire doused, and we were all dressed for the journey, we saddled up and began the long journey back east. Once on the main road, we dug our heels into the flanks, as I wanted to make it to Morthal within the day at least. The Nine were kind to us that day, bright sunshine and a light breeze the entire journey, no animals trying to attack us, nor did we run into any patrols that tried to ruin our day.
Valerica didn’t particularly want to stay at the inn, as I did warn both about the vampire troubles that had plagued the town a while ago, so we agreed to camp some distance away, ensuring we would remain undisturbed for the evening. I did walk into town to grab some supplies, food and drink for the three of us, including some beer as I didn’t mind the idea of wetting my whistle for the first time in a while.
Sitting around the campfire a little later, Serana with an arm wrapped around my waist, leaning her head against me, Valerica made us both chuckle when she said, “Do you know how long it’s been since I was with a man?”
“Hands off Ragnar, Mother.”
“Oh, I’m not suggesting anything of the sort, Serana. But I did hear you two last night and I couldn’t help but remember the good times with your father. So long ago now.” She looked at me. “I was quite the beauty back in the day, Ragnar. Harkon wasn’t the only man hoping to gain my hand in marriage.”
“Well, I wouldn’t kick you out of bed regardless,” I stated.
That made her look away, a little embarrassed, while Serana dug me in the ribs. “Behave, Ragnar.”
“What? I’ve bedded mature women before, Serana. I’m just saying, just because a woman has some years on me doesn’t mean they’re not still attractive and worthy of the attention.”
“How old are you?” Valerica wondered.
“To be honest, I’m not sure, but I think I must be around twenty-five winters or so by now.”
“Have you sired any children yet?”
“None that I know of. There was one woman, my wife, but…” I trailed off.
“I understand. Seems like we’ve all lost something.” She paused a moment. “You were married?”
“Feels like a long time ago now, but yes, I was married. She was pregnant when she was taken from me.”
She didn’t ask how, assuming correctly that I didn’t particularly want to discuss it. “Would your children carry your gift?”
Shrugging, I admitted, “I have no idea, to be honest. I haven’t really asked anyone if it does. But I think I’m called the ‘Last Dragonborn’ for a reason. Defeating Alduin ensures the world is now safe, so I guess there isn’t a reason for any more of me required after this."
“Would you like to have a child or children with Serana?”
I could only stare at her wide-eyed. Serana sat up. “Mother! Please!” she exclaimed, definitely embarrassed.
“It’s a perfectly natural question to ask, Serana. You are intimate and clearly wish to pursue a relationship with each other. And the result of being intimate can be children, so it’s something you will already be thinking about, even if you don’t discuss the subject.”
“I’m not sure if I could even have any after I’m cured.”
“I don’t see why not. You are the same age you were when you went through the ritual. Nothing has changed since that day. In fact, I think the time you spent in seclusion probably helped you.”
I glanced at Serana. “You do maintain a youthful… well, I wouldn’t say glow, not until you’re cured, but you remained absolutely gorgeous, Serana.”
If she was capable of blushing, I think her face would have turned bright red. Valerica chuckled. “Well, at least he’s got good vision at least. And some brains.”
Valerica suggested she didn’t particularly want much sleep, wanting to stare up at the stars and moons, things she hadn’t seen in a very long time, so Serana and I headed to bed a little later. We didn’t make love that night. Didn’t do anything except snuggle together under the furs, cracking some awful jokes that made her giggle, before we did enjoy a little make out session. “Tomorrow or the day after, I’m going to be human again, Ragnar,” she whispered, looking into my eyes.
“What colour are your eyes?”
“I… don’t remember, to be honest. It would be nice to see myself in a mirror again, see what I look like.”
“As I said, you’re beautiful, Serana.”
She smiled but said, “Ragnar, you don’t have to…”
“Just telling you what I think and feel. I do that with all my girls. If I think you’re beautiful, I’m going to tell you.”
“Guess I should just get used to compliments?”
“If I deem it necessary to tell you, yes.”
She went to sleep with a grin on her face at least. After breakfast the next morning, I was sent to find Falion. He remembered me from when I’d be cured, and after explaining what I needed, he told me that it would only be done in the evening, in the light of the moon. Informing Valerica and Serana of what I was told, the pair decided to head off together as Valerica suggested the area would be good for ingredients in any alchemy she would want to do at a later date. I headed into town and the inn, taking the afternoon to myself, for no other reason than to sip a couple of tankards and catch up with any information that might have travelled in from elsewhere in Skyrim. Thankfully, Morthal itself was now peaceful after the incidents I’d dealt with before. Other than that, the only main concern for many people was the resumption of hostilities between the Empire and Stormcloaks. The peace was still holding, however tenuous, but everyone knew it wouldn’t hold forever.
Returning to our campsite at dusk, mother and daughter were sat by the campfire, chatting away, both looking up and smiling at me as I sat down next to Serana, immediately taking my hand and leaning into me, her mother looking on approvingly. “Never thought I’d see my daughter so happy.” She paused before continuing. “Ragnar, I’ve been discussing a request with Serana. It’s going to sound strange.”
“I can take a guess.”
“You can?”
“I’m assuming it’s to do with Serana and I being intimate. I can understand why.”
“The only time I’ve ever witnessed it, I watched my daughter defiled by a daedric god and then her own father. I know it’s a weird request, but I want to see my daughter… treated with love and respect. Does that sound strange?”
“A little, but as Serana said herself, you were a strange family at times.”
“That’s true. So…”
I glanced at Serana. “Does she want to watch now or…”
“No, when we’re all human again,” Valerica stated, “I watched her defiled to become a vampire. I want to see her loved when she’s human again.”
“You don’t want to join in?”
“Ragnar, stop teasing,” Serana stated.
“A strapping young man such as yourself, I’m not sure I could contain myself anyway,” Valerica stated, “But no, the request is strange enough as it is, considering it will be my daughter, but… I still see what was done to her when I close my eyes, hear her screams of pain and agony, her pleading to us… To know I will now watch her pleasured by yourself, and that she will only feel love and joy…”
I gave it some thought. “You’ll be cured this evening. Tomorrow, we’ll ride to Whiterun. I own a house there. We’ll spend the night before heading north.”
“Are you sure?” Serana asked.
“I’m not worried about myself, Serana. You’re aware of my track record. If you’re comfortable with the idea, then so be it.”
She leaned back then closer to my ear to whisper, “I think Mother will want to involve herself, make it even weirder.”
I glanced at Valerica, who met my eyes but simply grinned. I don’t think she heard but probably figured out what Serana said.
The conversation thankfully moved on, nibbling away at a little food, drinking a little wine, before it was time for us to meet Falion. Having been through it all once, I knew what to expect. Introducing Serana and her mother, he guessed correctly that they had been vampires for much longer, so while the ritual would work, because the disease was ingrained in their bodies, the process would be far more painful, but he assured them that the pain would be worth the price of feeling human again.
Serana offered to go first, desiring to be human again. I would have liked to be close to her, to provide comfort, but Falion said only she must be in the summoning circle for the ritual. Seeing my concern, Valerica grabbed my hand and assured me that, although Serana would feel pain, it would be momentary compared to what she’d been through to become what she was.
When she screamed in agony, I near enough punched out Falion. He sensed my discomfort, even anger, and assured me she was okay, but the disease must be purged completely. She cried out again and again, Valerica squeezing my hand even tighter, to prevent me from leaving. The angle that her back arched was unbelievable, wondering if it would not break. But as quickly as it started, she collapsed to the ground. Only then did Valerica let me go as I rushed to the side of Serana, lifting her head up into my lap. I waited until she came around, and in the darkness, she opened her eyes to reveal they were blue. Caressing her face, I felt warmth, and moving my fingers to her neck, I felt a heartbeat.
“The ritual is complete. She is human once again,” Falion stated quietly.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Standing up, I helped Serana to her feet. The first thing she did was kiss me, and we both grinned as I felt her warm lips on mine, pulling her tight into my body. “I feel alive, Ragnar,” she breathed upon breaking the kiss.
Taking her by the hand, we moved out of the way as Valerica stepped forward to undergo the same ritual. It was the same as Serana, her cries echoing around, and I did wonder if anyone in Morthal heard and felt it worthy of investigating. Once it was complete, we both stepped forward to help her up. She had blue eyes, just like Serana, but the smile on her face certainly lit up her features. “Human again,” she whispered, “And it was absolutely worth the agony.”
The three of us thanked Falion profusely. He waved it away, good naturedly, assuring us that he’d simply done us a favour. He headed back to Morthal as we returned to our campsite. Both women were exhausted after their ordeal so it was little wonder both just wanted to sleep.
I woke first the next morning, leaving Serana to sleep, Valerica waking up to join me. She admitted to being hungry, so I suggested that once Serana woke up, we head into town and get a proper meal. Now that she was as human as I was, she could mix with people again. “I haven’t done that in centuries, Ragnar. It’s going to take some adjusting, being around people again.”
“You’ll be fine. How do you feel otherwise?”
“It will take some adjusting, having been a vampire for so long. I’ll have to deal with things like being hungry and thirsty. Vampires sleep, at least, so that’s not a problem. And at least I can be in sunlight now.”
Serana joined us a little later, immediately taking off her hood. The sun was out so I watched her look up, close her eyes and simply smile. Then she looked at me and it broadened. “I love it when you look at me like that, Ragnar.”
“Well, it’s nice to see the sunlight on your face. You already have colour back in your body. Now you’ll just need a tan.”
“You don’t like my pale body, Ragnar?”
“Oh, I love it. Just a suggestion.”
We packed up camp and headed to town, Serana admitting her own hunger, and it was amusing to see them select a number of items to eat, and even funnier when they both sat back eating their fill. But they appreciated the taste of everything and joked that both would probably put a little weight on if they ate too much, too quickly. But now that the hunger had been sated, we mounted up and continued our journey to Whiterun.
The city was as busy as ever as we stabled our horses, leading them up the path to the main gates. I was recognised by the guards as always, taking the two women on a quick tour, receiving plenty of hearty hello’s from the shopkeepers and residents. I’d barely been in Whiterun for months, so while not a stranger, I received plenty of questions about what I’d been up to recently.
After shopping for the evening meal, we headed to Breezehome. Any idea of food ended when Serana grabbed my hand and led me upstairs, Valerica following, seeming to realise what Serana wanted. She kissed me hard, her hands immediately going to my cloak to take that off. It took a few seconds for my mind to catch up with what she was doing.
I took my time undressing her. Every piece of exposed skin was caressed and kissed. First her coat and hood. Then her blouse, exposing her pale arms and chest, still in a bra. Then I took off her boots, socks and skirts, exposing her pale legs, still in her panties, while I removed all of my clothing. Valerica was sitting nearby and got a good look at my body at the same time. “Wow,” I heard her whisper.
I didn’t look at her, eyes only for Serana, blue eyes like the ocean I’d see in my dreams. When she started to blush, I couldn’t help chuckle. Then she knew why I was laughing and joined in, gently pulling her tight to my body. “Now you’re warm too,” I whispered.
“You’re still warmer.”
Lowering ourselves to the bed, I removed her underwear, sat back on my knees, and just drank in the sight. “Your daughter is beautiful, Valerica.”
“I know she is.”
Her breasts were just perfect on her body, having her nipples harden within a couple of minutes, giving them plenty of attention as I moved up and down from her lips, her neck and further down. Kissing down her body, I teased her by breathing on her sex but avoiding it, making her groan and squirm as I kissed up and down her legs. “Please, Ragnar,” she breathed.
“Please what, Serana?”
“Please… focus on my pussy.”
“You want me to lick your pussy, Serana?”
“Make me cum, Ragnar…”
“Oh my…” I heard Valerica mutter to herself.
I lowered my head and tasted her for the first time as a human. It was different, naturally, most notably because she was warm. And she was definitely turned on by everything I’d done to her. She moaned loudly as I ran my tongue along her slit, tickling her clit for a moment, before focusing simply getting on with the job. I soon had her writhing in my arms, holding her place, feeling one of her hands run through my hair. “Ragnar,” she breathed.
I had the idea of sliding a couple of fingers inside her, to find her special spot, but I wanted her to cum with just my tongue, and once I figured she was nearly there, I focused most of my attention on her clit. Jackpot, as far as I was concerned, as she was soon almost forcing her body down into my mouth, my tongue flicking across her clit, sending jolts of pleasure up her body.
Then she orgasmed, and it was nothing short of spectacular. To my surprise, she begged me to keep going, so that’s what I did, and that’s when we both learned that she could cum quite quickly and often once the first one hit. It seemed just like one long orgasm, in all honesty, so she did have to ask me to stop around ten minutes later as she already sounded exhausted. I stopped immediately and left soft kisses up her body before I rested above her, watching her eyes open and the smile forming, leaning up to give me a soft kiss. “I love you,” she whispered.
“You’re just saying that because I made you orgasm.”
“More than once, Ragnar,” she retorted softly.
“But I love you too.”
Then we heard a sniffle, both of us glancing to see Valerica wiping her eyes. She just looked at us and smiled. “I… had no idea. It’s been so long since I’ve seen something so beautiful.”
“Come closer when we make love, Mother. It’s okay.”
“Are you sure?”
Serana looked at me and I nodded. “I’m sure, Mother. When we make love, I only think of Ragnar, and when we’re apart, and I close my eyes, I only see him now. What happened is in the past.”
Serana and I moved so Valerica could sit comfortably on the bed. Once she was settled, I positioned myself and slid slowly into Serana, unable to stop the groan as my cock was now sheathed in a warm and very wet, tight pussy. “Oh gods,” I muttered, “Serana, I’m not going to last long.”
“Good?”
“Perfect,” I replied, leaning down to kiss her.
Then we made love. Serana never stopped smiling, feeling her warm hands move up and down my arms and on my back, her warm legs wrapped loosely around my body. Her body took on more colour the longer we made love, seeing sweat form on her forehead for the first time. I was right, I didn’t last long, maybe five minutes, not that embarrassed me. Once I did finish inside her, I barely softened, and simply kissed her until I was ready to go again.
Serana had already learned she loved riding me, so I pulled out and that’s when Valerica got a good look at my cock for the first time. “Wow,” she exclaimed in a whisper.
I met her eyes and grinned. “I do like that reaction.”
“May I… um…”
“Do you want to touch me, Valerica?”
She glanced at Serana. “Go on, Mother. I know you want to. Just be mindful that it’s been inside my pussy so it’s my juices all over it.”
I glanced at Serana, wide-eyed. “Oh, I love you even more now.”
Feeling Valerica’s warm hand around my cock wasn’t something I’d planned on happening, but she was definitely intrigued, and her starting to stroke me wasn’t a surprise either. I glanced at Serana again, and she just laughed. “Gods, I should have known. Mother, are you getting ideas?”
“I’m sorry, Serana. It’s just…”
She rolled over and kissed her on the cheek. “Okay, I’m going to ride him, then if you’re interested, you can enjoy him afterwards.”
“Are you sure?”
“I think you need some tenderness, just like myself. Don’t you think?”
Valerica looked at me. “Would it be okay with you?”
“Take your clothes off.”
Valerica grinned then stripped as quickly as she could, standing beside the bed in nothing. She was a fine looking mature woman, and I definitely approved. Lying down, Serana slid down my cock as Valerica sat beside us, watching as Serana started to slowly ride my cock. “How does it feel?” she asked.
“Filling is how I’d describe it,” Serana half-moaned, “It’s long and thick, and touches me in the sort of places that make me orgasm. You’ll love it, Mother.”
Serana then leaned down to kiss me, resting on her hands as I ran mine down her back to her arse, gently thrusting as she controlled the rhythm. I couldn’t help gaze into her blue eyes constantly, though that just added to the other sensations I was feeling at the same time. “Fuck,” I grunted.
“Good, Ragnar?” she asked.
“As I said, your pussy is just perfect, Serana. I love eating you out and then I love doing this.”
“I want an orgasm, then I want to feel you orgasm again. Then you’re making love to my mother. How does that sound?”
I glanced at Valerica, who blushed and looked away. “I would think I was a very lucky man, Serana.”
Serana eventually had more than one orgasm, riding herself quickly though not too hard, loving it when she sat up and just bounced away, one hand on her hip, the other gently playing with one her breasts, which just made her giggle for a moment. When I was getting close, she leaned forward and let me take control, smiling when she felt me orgasm and leave another load inside her, before she rested her head on my chest as we both cooled off. I felt her squeeze me, laughing to herself. “Still so hard, Ragnar. I’m impressed.”
“Helps that it’s inside you, Serana.”
She eventually sat up and moved off my lap. Valerica made to just get on me but I moved and laid her down as Serana laid down next to her. She met my eyes and grinned as she turned onto her side. “Mother, I think Ragnar wants to pleasure you with his mouth first. Would you like that?” Valerica just nodded, a little embarrassed, a little overcome, I think. “Ragnar, treat my mother like you’d treat me. Why don’t you kiss her first?”
It was a little awkward at first, simply because Valerica was so overcome, but once she got hold of her wits, she proved to be an excellent kisser. And she loved every second I gave her attention, all over her body, but I knew she wanted what I’d done to Serana earlier, spreading her legs before I lowered my mouth.
She didn’t last long. I think she was far too excited and it had been far too long for her since anyone had shown her that sort of attention. And the sounds she made as I ate her out then made her cum were simply adorable, enough that Serana couldn’t help giggle. I didn’t waste time making love with her, giving her all of a couple of minutes before I slid my cock inside her. That’s when she blinked rapidly after I’d buried myself. I knew I hadn’t hurt her, it was just a big moment.
“I can’t remember the last time Harkon…” She met my eyes. “Young man like yourself… shouldn’t be with me…”
“Oh, hush, Mother. I knew you wanted this as soon as you said you wanted a cure. I will share Ragnar with other women. Sharing him with you tonight is not a big deal. And I wanted you to experience some love like I have with him.”
Valerica ran her hands up my arms until they cupped my face. “Make love to me, Ragnar.”
So that’s what I did. And as I’d cum a couple of times, it lasted quite a while, enough that she wanted to ride me just like Serana, and that’s when she learned that she really enjoyed it, the next orgasm arriving even bigger than the one experienced while eating her out. Little wonder she had to stop as she broke down in tears, Serana sitting up and hugging her tightly. “Such a waste,” Valerica murmured.
“Keep riding him, Mother,” Serana insisted gently, “Enjoy it for as long as you can.”
Valerica eventually had another coupe of orgasms before she leaned forward and gave me time to finish myself. When I came inside her, she kissed me hard, a hot passionate kiss that was a little unexpected. Then she rested herself on my chest as Serana scooted over so I could wrap an arm around her. “Well, mother and daughter on the same night, Ragnar,” she joked.
“I always say I’m a very lucky man.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Valerica murmured.
“You don’t have to say anything, Mother. But how do you feel?”
“Wonderful. I can feel my heart beating. I don’t think it ever beat this fast before we changed. I can’t remember feeling any sort of happiness. Now I’m with my daughter and the man she loves, but he’s also shown me such tenderness.”
Valerica eventually lifted herself off me and lay on my other side, one of her hands trailing up and down my chest, joining one of Serana’s. No surprise I started to drift off as Serana snuggled into me, feeling the strain herself. “Think we could do it again tomorrow morning?” she asked through a yawn.
“I don’t see why not. A little fun in the morning before we head north.”
“Will… I be included?” Valerica wondered.
“Of course, Mother. You’re already naked and watching you ride Ragnar was rather exciting. I haven’t seen you smile so much in centuries.”
“Thank you, Serana,” she whispered, “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mother.” She kissed my cheek. “And I love you, Ragnar.”
Yes, I was a very lucky man indeed.