Author's notes -

Hey, everyone, so these are just a few notes on how the story will be structured.

I've broken the story up into five seasons.

Season 1- Out of the Ashes

Season 2 - War Never Changes

Season 3 - The Blood the Binds Us (Dawnguard)

Season 4 - Independent Melody

Season 5 - (Currently the plan is being revised so it is unnamed)

Nebula is NOT the dragonborn. She does have a strange power, but she isn't dragonborn. I just thought it might be beneficial to state upfront.

Serana won't become a main character until season 3, but she will be one of the focal characters of that season and remain important afterwards, so unfortunately, if you're here for a Serana fix, that'll take a while. I'm sorry.

A good amount of characters from the game that I couldn't find listed will be prominent in the story.

Ok, I think that's all the important notes. Please leave reviews (I like to get feedback so I can improve) and hopefully you'll enjoy the story.

Into the Open Air

By Hope Burnette

Season 1- Out of the Ashes

Prologue

Two men sat across from each other in a grand dining room that had been collecting dust for years. One was an Altmer called Valrion, who wore simple clothes commonly found in Skyrim. The most ornate thing on him was a golden pendant in the shape of a sun with a flawless ruby in the center. The amulet had seen its fair share of nastiness considering the broken and scratched bits, but it still shined resiliently in the light of the lanterns hanging all over the walls. The other man was a Dunmer adorned in fine Telvanni robes that kept him mostly covered, however what you could see of his skin, his face and hands, were covered in scars. Phoenix had a frail look to him and was usually hunched over due to his cane being too short for him. He had never bothered to replace his original cane from when his left leg was first rendered useless, which had become an issue since he had grown quite a bit taller since he was eleven. His rough skin and cane made him appear at first glance far older than he actually was, something that Valrion quite enjoyed teasing him about. He had long, black hair that he let hang in his face and bit of a beard. The men sat in silence, picking at the remnants of dinner. Phoenix would every so often hobble towards the doorway to peak into the parlor where his daughter was reading, almost systematically. Neither man dared speak, until Valrion worked up the nerve.

"You really should think about it."

"I don't think you understand what you're asking me to do. Pack up and leave everything? My family has been here… I've been here my whole life. I was born here, I always assumed I'd die here too. Nebula was born here, Briony and I got married here… Brother, I have never set foot outside of Morrowind," Phoenix said in a hushed tone, trying to make sure Nebula would be unable to hear their conversation.

Valrion sighed and spoke once more, "I know that it's not ideal, but you know more than I do how dangerous things are getting. Even removing your family from the equation, the government is collapsing, the ash bowl has caused one of the worst famines in history, and another corprus outbreak is starting to reach worrying levels. I know this is your home, but it's not safe for you, or your girl. Skyrim is… It's not ideal. I won't lie to you, but it's safer. It's a hard land to live on, but not impossible. There's not as many riots or food shortages, and it's under Imperial protection. I can't claim to be too fond of the Empire, but they are at least organized." Phoenix sat back down with a pained groan before directing his attention away from his leg and back at his friend. Valrion waited for a moment before continuing, "What will happen to your girl if they find out about her… disabilities?"

Phoenix remained silent and shook his head, "Not a soul beyond the three of us can ever know. I've tried to teach her. Magic should be like breathing… Well, truthfully she's not too good at that either… But you understand what I mean, right?" The Dunmer sighed and rested his forehead in his hands. "She can't go outside. Her lungs are too weak, she has attacks if she's outside for too long. The ash just gets to her too much. I hate keeping Nebula from being able to go out and play, but between the riots, threats, and the ash, she just can't… In Skyrim, can you let your children play outside? Is it as dangerous?"

"Griselda and I let the kids wander around wherever so long as they return in time for supper. I can only think of a few incidents, and the most prominent in my mind is when Yukina, Peri, Pera, and Gwendolyn forgot that Carr had gills. He pretended to have drowned, and they believed it until Daylion pointed out that his gills were moving. There have been some incidents with wolves and bears, but usually Griselda's hunting keeps them at bay regardless. If you are looking at going to Windhelm, Nebula should be able to play around the city with ease so long as she doesn't disturb the locals too much. The city is surrounded by thick, stone walls that have been well kept for the most part. It's also surrounded by a river. Griselda used to live in Windhelm, back when she was a Stormcloak, but we decided to live in Riften when we married. More forest, less threats."

"Threats?"

"Well, it's not a secret that the Nords don't usually care for elves. I'm sure you can imagine the reaction they have to seeing Griselda and I together. Not to mention we've adopted children of several different racial backgrounds as well. Daylion is the only one that looks like he could be ours. It's safer down by Riften for us. It's a hub for organized crime, but racism isn't as much as a concern."

Phoenix sipped his drink, thinking over the situation. "Briony always told me that Windhelm was a hellish place to live. Cold, covered in snow, and the Dunmer were treated poorly."

"That's all true, but the way I see it, you can get killed by a hungry mob taking it out on the nobility here, or Nebula can grow up a bit cold and with the occasional nasty remark. Try contacting Briony's family. I'm sure they will be willing to take you both in until you get back on your feet."

"That's the issue. Briony's parents began shunning her when she married me and immigrated here. The last she heard from them, they called her a heretic and told her they would burn any letters from her until she went back to Skyrim. I couldn't get ahold of them even if I tried. I've never even met them."

"Did she keep in contact with any friends?"

"She wrote a childhood friend, Malthyr, fairly regularly. I'm sure I can find the address to send something to him. Perhaps he can relay the message from me to Briony's family," Phoenix thought aloud. "What happens if they reject us though?"

"You'll never know until you try, Brother," Valrion encouraged. "I would be willing to take you and Nebula if it weren't for hard times for my own family. It's a blessing that I'm even able to see you face to face presently with how poorly the business has been doing. I'm sorry, but I just can't guarantee that I will be able to feed my wife, children, as well as you and Nebula."

"I understand. Even if we are on our own, Nebula and I will manage. I'll just need someone to care for her while I finalize the immigration and get our things ready to move. I just hope Briony's family can be persuaded to watch her for a month or two."

"They weren't like yours. Besides, I'm sure Mara would shock them if they turned away their little granddaughter like that. They were supposedly religious zealots, right?"

"Yeah… That apple didn't fall far from the tree." Phoenix groaned and massaged his temples. "Briony was… Amazing, but crazy."

"Wouldn't expect you to pick anyone less than that," Valrion said with a good natured chuckle. "You have always been particular."

"Just… let's hope for some good luck for once," Phoenix said slowly, nervously swishing his wine around in his goblet.

Months later, Phoenix and Nebula were sitting in the parlor, reading a book together. Nebula had picked a story about a pair of smart talking convicts escorting a princess to safety after a giant cliff racer, called the Queen, attacked the city. It was an old folktale, one of the first books Phoenix had managed to teach himself to read, so it made him happy that Nebula seemed to enjoy the story as well.

It was a peaceful evening. He and Nebula had been taking turns reading passages from the book aloud for the last hour or so after a fine dinner of spicy kwama egg and rice soup with some bread. Nebula seemed happy, which made Phoenix feel more and more guilty as he reflected on the conversation to come. Once they had finished the current chapter, Phoenix closed the book and set it down on the end table by the sofa. Nebula quirked an eyebrow at him before reaching across her dad to try to get the book.

"Come on, Dad, just one more chapter, it's too early to sleep."

"We need to talk about something, Baby Girl. Then we can read more, I swear," Phoenix began. Nebula glanced up at her dad for a moment before hugging him again and resting her head on his chest.

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, Sweetie, you're not in trouble, but it is important," he shook his head and gently caressed his daughter's hair as he tried to think of the right way to begin the conversation. "Your mother, do you remember how I told you that she wasn't from Morrowind?"

"Yes, wasn't she from uh… I don't remember, it's not Morrowind, so it probably ain't that important," Nebula shrugged. "Why?"

"Recently, things here have been getting dangerous, and I fear that if we stay here, you will be in serious danger. I got in contact with your mother's family through one of her old friends in Skyrim, and after considering everything, I have decided that it would be best for us if we moved to Skyrim," Phoenix explained. He kept his eyes up at the ceiling as he spoke. The words felt wrong. To say that they were going to leave home… How can that ever sound or feel right?

"Dad, we can't just go. This is home!" Nebula protested. "I won't go."

"You will go, and that is not up for negotiation," he said sternly, directing his gaze back down to Nebula. She angrily gripped his robe and looked away from him, breathing heavily through her nose.

"Well I'll just jump off the boat so there."

"And then what? You can't swim. Come on, Nebula, you're smarter than that," Phoenix said in as much of an authoritative tone as he could muster, though it still didn't sound very commanding. He sighed, knowing his efforts to sound in charge had failed miserably, like they always seemed to. He held Nebula closer to him and sat in silence while she whimpered before speaking again. "I know this is going to be hard. I'm afraid too, but we have to be brave now. It's just getting too dangerous here, and I want to keep you safe."

"I know," Nebula mumbled into his shoulder.

"I need you to be brave, Little Star. You will arrive before I do, and you will be cared for by your mother's parents. I have been exchanging letters with them, and I do believe they will care for you well. This won't be long. I will be there with you as soon as I have finalized the immigration and gotten what we can take with us packed."

"I have to go alone?" Nebula looked up at her dad with a horrified expression. Her usually clear, even, light blue skin was covered in dark purple blotches from crying. The lights reflecting off of her tears made her bright red eyes appear to glow in the shadows. Phoenix gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks, fighting back tears of his own.

"I hate it too. I don't want to send you there alone, but I want to get you to safety as soon as possible. You'll be accompanied by your uncle Valrion to Windhelm. There, your grandparents will pick you up from the shipyard. I will be there within a month or two of your arrival."

"I don't like other people, I just want to stay with you, Dad."

"I know, but it'll just be safer this way. Things are getting very dangerous very quick. I want you out of the country as soon as possible."

Nebula tightened her grip on her dad, avoiding looking him in the eye. She didn't say anything in response. She could think of so many things she would want to say. Many particularly unsavory words came to mind, but she knew it wouldn't change the situation, nor would her father appreciate it very much. She didn't want to upset him, even if she was angry. He was all she had left. She wouldn't jeopardize that relationship, even over such a ridiculous move such as this. She snorted and breathed in deeply, or at least, she tried to. Despite her efforts to remain composed, she ended up wheezing and gasping for air, much to Phoenix's worry. He grabbed a small potion from the end table and tried to hand it to his daughter. She shook her head and continued trying to catch her breath, but eventually gave up her stubbornness and took the potion. The effects were rather instantaneous; within a minute, she was breathing normally once more as if the attack had never happened. She sighed and sloppily wiped her face on the sleeve of her robe.

"Why can't we go together? Nothing has happened yet, we're fine."

"Nebula, we've had a lot of close calls and you know it. The riots are getting more severe as food gets more scarce. The only reason you aren't feeling the effects of the famine is our wealth, but even so, I've had to put off the purchase of many our usual luxuries to ensure we can consistently have good food. And that's not taking into consideration that you cannot cast simple spells yet."

"I'm trying!"

Phoenix sighed, "Baby Girl, I know you are, it doesn't bother me, but you are in danger if anyone finds out about it. You'll be perceived as weak. I don't want that. You'll be safer in Skyrim, you'll be able to learn at your own pace without the pressures of house politics."

"Yeah, well when I grow up, I'm gonna be so fucking powerful everyone will grovel at my feet for ever thinking I was weak," Nebula grumbled in irritation, more so at the situation than at her dad.

"I know you will, Little Star, but you have a long ways to go before that. And you'll need to survive to that point in life."

She frowned and crossed her arms. She wanted to protest it, but she knew it was true. All her cousins had been casting spells since they were toddlers and were advanced students now. Meanwhile, she herself had failed to cast even the simplest spell, despite rigorous practice. She was surrounded by magic, but she couldn't feel it. It was foreign, despite being so close. That was, to put it lightly, not ideal. She knew it caused her father stress. Would he spend less time fortifying their home if they lived in Skyrim? Would anyone be able to even find out about her ineptitude there?

She clung to her father tightly and breathed out a sigh. Her heart was still racing and her lungs ached. All she wanted was to rest, for the stress to go away.

"Dad?"

"Yes, Baby?"

"I'll be brave, but I want it to be worth it. Will our lives be good in the new country?"

"I promise I will make sure that you have the best life I can give you there."

"Ok. I'll be brave, Dad."

"I know, Baby Girl. You already are."

So they stood there on the docks of Sadrith Mora, waiting to board the ship. The little Dunmer girl held her favorite doll in one arm, and her father's hand with the other hand. Valrion was carrying his and Nebula's bags, as well as their tickets to board the boat. Nebula looked around, taking in the sights as much as she could. She tried to save every image in her mind where she could never forget. She wanted to take in as much of the scenery as she could before she got on the dark, cramped boat to leave her homeland forever.

Many people were lined up for two ships. The majority of those boarding ships were children, who were escorted by soldiers. One ship had the flag of the Aldmeri Dominion, and the other ship, the one Nebula was boarding, had the flag of the Empire. There was the occasional adult, though they seemed to be the minority. She glanced up at her father, who had a thousand yard stare she had rarely seen him have. Nebula hugged his arm tightly as they inched closer and closer to the entrance of the ship. With every step, the rotting wooden ship docks creaked and moaned forlornly under the weight of the people, and the echoes of people shouting became deafening. Even with the markets deserted, the chatter was just too much.

Valrion handed the solider at the entrance their tickets and got on the boat. Phoenix pulled his daughter into a tight hug, unable to fight the tears rolling down his cheeks. Nebula clung to her dad for dear life, unsure of how she could possibly let go in the next few minutes. The father and daughter stood there in silence, simply embracing as if it was the last time they would ever see each other face to face.

"Is it too late to stay, Dad?" Nebula asked in the calmest whisper she could muster.

"I'm afraid so," Phoenix replied in the most broken tone she had ever heard. "Remember to stay with Uncle Valrion. Don't run off with strangers, stay away from the ledges of the ship, and always turn off your lamp before you sleep. Make sure you drink as much water as you are allowed, but always add drops of those potions I packed. Your asthma medicine is under your pillow in the suitcase. If you're having an attacked, take it. I've also packed you the recipe to make it. When you arrive in Windhelm, bring it to the local alchemist immediately. And don't forget to eat plenty of citrus, you could get sick if you don't. Don't sit too close to smoke-"

"I'll be ok, Dad. I promise."

Phoenix simply hugged his daughter tighter and nodded. "I… I know. I'm proud of you. Be good, I'll be with you soon. I love you so much, Baby Girl."

"I love you too, Dad."

Nebula reluctantly let go of her dad after some prompting from the guard to cut the goodbye short and get on the boat. As she boarded, her last view before the dark was her father's silhouette on the docks. The bright sun was setting, coverings everything in harsh shadows and painting the sky deep orange and pink shades. In the distance, she could see their grand mushroom tower, looking over the city as if it were a protector. As she was pulled further from the scene, all she could focus in on was Phoenix standing there, watching her sail further and further out of his grasp. As the ash began to pick up and blow, blurring the sight of her home and her father, she knew this would be the last time she saw home. It would be her last memory of Morrowind. With one last gaze over the side of the deck, she went down to her dark, crowded living quarters with Valrion.