(Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim; just Xana)

As the midday sunlight shone across the Throat of the World, there stood a Dunmer at its summit. She stood at an average height and was thinly built with toned muscles, wide childbearing hips and large breasts that complimented her hourglass figure and had caught the eyes of several would-be suitors. Her skin was fair and had more of a bluish hue than the typical ashen grey most Dunmer had. While her face was gentle and angelic looking, she bore a long scar across her left cheek that stood as a reminder of why she took up the sword and bow.

Though she was rather adept in the various schools of magic, she was a warrior at heart. Adorned in scaled armor with matching gauntlets and boots, she was equipped with an ebony sword on her hip and an enchanted Daedric bow across her back. Having little use for makeup, she only wore dark lipstick which emphasized her lush, seductive lips and enhanced her beauty. Her enchanting red eyes sparkled like precious gems while her long, crimson hair was partially braided back, showing off her elven ears. Only 19 years of age, she was just a girl in the eyes of everyone she met, but she was so much more. She was the Dragonborn.

Upon her return from Sovngarde, Xana was greeted by an audience of dragons. They had heard of her victory over the World Eater, Alduin, and had come to congratulate her victory while also lamenting for their fallen brother. As she watched them take to the skies, one dragon remained behind: Paarthurnax.

"So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been."

Xana looked upon the old dragon and emitted a sigh, "It was necessary."

"You did what was necessary. Alduin had flown far from the path of right action in his pahlok - the arrogance of his power. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."

She had a sorrowful expression upon her face as she looked him in the eyes, "I was just fulfilling my destiny as Dragonborn."

"Indeed, you saw more clearly than I - certainly more clearly than Alduin. Rok funta koraav."

"Alduin brought this on himself."

"Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii. His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu - our father Akatosh." He paused for a moment before speaking once more. "Perhaps now you have some insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid... the currents of Time. Perhaps you begin to see the world as a dovah. But I forget myself. Krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah - one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savor your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of Time."

Paarthurnax then spread out his tattered wings and took to the skies, "Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age. Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen... rightness of my Thu'um." He glanced down at the young Dunmer and smiled, "But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well, Dovahkiin!" With that he took off and left the Throat of the World.

As she turned to descend down the mountain, Xana was greeted by another familiar dragon: Odahviing. He landed across from the young woman and smiled, "Pruzah wundunne wah Wuth Gein. I wish the old one luck in his... quest. But I doubt many will wish to exchange Alduin's lordship for the tyranny of Paarthurnax's "Way of the Voice". As for myself, you've proven your mastery twice over. Thuri, Dovahkiin. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um. Zu'u."

She blushed at his words, "Thank you, Odahviing. I wouldn't have been able to defeat Alduin without your assistance. You've been a tremendous help to me and I will never forget the part you played in my destiny."

Flattered by her words, Odahviing emitted a content 'hmm' sound before a smirk appeared along his maw, "I highly doubt you could forget my humiliation when you lured me into that trap."

A soft laugh escaped her lips as she smiled at him, "I apologize for that, but it was the only way to get you to listen and work with me." *sigh* "I hope you can forgive me for such treachery, but I did let you go despite everyone else's protests. Even if they wouldn't have agreed to letting you go, I would have released you anyways."

He tilted his head, "Is that so?"

She nodded, "Yes; no dragon should be chained like a feral beast. I couldn't stand the thought of you undergoing Farengaar's experiments. He had no right to even suggest taking some of your scales or blood without regards to your wellbeing."

His eyes softened at the young dovahkiin, "Even though I killed your fellow joor and tried attacking you on the balcony, you actually cared about my own wellbeing?"

She nodded and smiled, "Of course! I needed your help, but I also knew that if the roles were reversed, I would hope to be shown such compassion if I was the one trapped in the stockade." *sigh* "Call it a weakness, but I can't tolerate torture on any creature, be it human, mer, beast folk, animal or dragon."

Odahviing smiled at the female, "You have a kind heart, Dovahkiin."

She blushed and answered in a quiet tone, "…Xana…"

He tilted his head, "Pardon?"

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red as she looked upon the crimson dragon, "My name…it's Xana. I understand Dovahkiin is my title and birthright, but I would prefer if you addressed me by my name as I do with you and Paarthurnax."

His eyes softened, "Very well, Xana," her name sounded delightful on his tongue. Odahviing practically purred out her name when he spoke it, causing her to internally shiver.

'Gods why does his voice sound so enchanting,' she asked herself.

"Call me when you have need, and I will come if I can."

She raised a brow, "If you can?"

He smirked, "If I have to, I will destroy ancient ruins in order to reach you."

An amused yet soft laugh escaped her lips, "Well I doubt you'd be able to answer my call if I was deep underground. Regardless, I'll try not to end up in such dire predicaments while in caves or ruins. I'd hate for you to try and squeeze yourself underground and I'm sure you'd be uncomfortable in an enclosed space with no access to the open sky."

Odahviing emitted a deep chuckle, "Geh, Xana, I would find myself quite out of my element if I was beneath the earth once more."

She took a moment to understand what he meant and that's when she remembered: Odahviing was dead before Alduin returned and resurrected him along with other dragons. His grave was one of many that were etched upon the Dragonstone she had retrieved from Bleakfalls Barrow. Looking back, it seemed so long ago that she began her quest leading to her destiny. In reality, it had only been six months since she arrived in Skyrim. Xana felt her heart clench at the thought of Odahviing dead: even though she only knew him for a few hours, she found herself becoming attached to him. He helped her and showed her what it was like to fly like a true dovah would. Being dovahkiin forced her to be grounded, which meant she was never destined to take to the skies. Knowing this, she felt envy for the dragons.

A small smile adorned her angelic face as she looked upon the crimson dragon, "I'm glad you're alive, Odahviing. I'm happy Alduin resurrected you. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have met you and we wouldn't be here right now." A blush appeared along her cheeks as her eyes met his, "In a way, I should be thanking Alduin for this."

His blue eyes softened, "Indeed. Zu'u los zin Alduin daal Zu'u wah fin lok."

Xana emitted a soft 'hmm' at his words: she loved hearing him speak his language and every time he spoke to her in that deep voice of his, she'd feel hot under the collar. Odahviing had no idea what his voice was doing to her at the moment, but he sensed something…peculiar. Not caring about boundaries, he pressed his snout against her armor-clad torso and inhaled her scent. Her skin smelled of ash, blood and sweat, but those smells were not as distinguished as her heavenly arousal: she smelled like a forest in springtime. Odahviing felt his mouth beginning to water as his baser instincts threatened to take hold. Startled by the sudden contact, Xana softly gasped at his touch which caused him to snap back to attention.

"Nid, Xana…Zu'u ni laan wah ahraan hi," he cast his eyes downward, ashamed of himself for thinking of such thoughts towards the Dovahkiin. She was his ally and, dare he say, his friend. She was his to protect, not harm. She may have the soul of a dragon but her body was that of a mortal.

Xana gently placed her hands along his snout and tilted his head up to face her, "Odahviing, I know you'd never hurt me. I trust you." She smiled, "I know it's silly to admit such a thing due to the fact that we've only known each other for a short period of time, but I do trust you. I'm just confused by your sudden actions. One moment you're sniffing me like I was covered in wildflowers, the next, you're looking at me as if you ate my sweetroll. What's going on?"

*sigh* "I can smell your arousal…and it…awakened my baser instincts. Zu'u laan hi kos dii…But I couldn't allow that to happen. You are mine to protect, not covet…."

Her eyes widened at the realization: Odahviing wanted to mate with her. "I see…" She blushed, "I'm flattered you would consider me as someone worthy of your…intimate presence. But if it's alright to ask: why me? Surely there are plenty of female dragons who would love to be with you."

He shook his head, "Nid…While there are some females who desire my personal attention…I have no interest in fulfilling their requests. After witnessing your power and hearing your thu'um, I found myself entranced by you. Since meeting you, I've felt this desire to be closer to you…to protect you…to care for you…."

She smiled as her eyes met his, "Would it be wrong of me to say that I feel the same towards you? I know it might seem odd to be experiencing something like this in the short amount of time that we've known each other, but since meeting you, I've felt happier than I have in years. I feel like I can let my guard down with you nearby because I feel safe with you."

"Vahzah? You feel safe with my qalos?"

"Of course I do," she gently ran her fingers along his maw. "I trust you…Odah…viing….," Xana suddenly collapsed upon the snow and her vision darkened. The last image she saw was the panic on Odahviing's face.