Arch Mage's Garden (Story Inside)by ~AlleyneTheElf

Digital Art / 3-Dimensional Art / Characters / Female

Yesterday, 10:35PM

"There it is; Winterhold. I thought I'd never see the sight. I was sure I'd get us stuck in some nowhere town." said Katsura as he shifted the weight of his pack from one shoulder to the other.

"Have a little more faith in yourself." Serana told him, "As I would certainly hope not, being the dragonborn and a direct descendant of Gaiden Shinji." she added coyly.

Katsura quirked his eyebrow and inquired, "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing." Serana laughed.

Katsura let out a grumbled and then trudged forward, mumbling to himself under his breath. As they entered the ruined town, Katsura caught her looking around as if she knew the place.

"Have you been to Winterhold before?" he asked her.

Serana snapped out of it and turned and looked back over at Katsura. She nodded her head,

"Yes, but when I was here it wasn't so...crumbly." Serana mused softly, "This used to be a city. I wonder what happened here..." her voice and eyes trailed.

"Easy." Katsura said, making Serana turn back and look at him.

"Life happened." he said as-a-matter-of-factly.

With that, he turned back around and headed towards the College, leaving Serana a bit dazed by his answer, yet understanding it completely. She took in a breath and then followed after him. The two headed up the walkway to the College; Katsura pointing at the unguarded part of the bridge.

"Watch your step. You fall, you die."

Not that she needed to be told that, but she nodded her head anyway. Once in the courtyard, Serana took a moment and looked around.

"Well, this place is still the same as I remember it. For the most part anyway." Serana rambled.

"Come. The Quarters are inside. You'll stay with me." Katsura stated, leaving no if's, and's or but's about it.

"Are you sure?" Serana asked, "I don't mind staying in some other place."

"I said you're staying with me. Now come."

Katsura went to open the College doors and turned around and saw Serana still standing there.

"Well? What are you waiting for?"

Serana let out a breath and then walked in after him. Katsura closed the door and then opened the door leading up to the Arch Mage's Quarters and motioned her to go. She did as asked. He then followed behind her and then closed the door behind him, locking it in the process. The idea made Serana a bit nervous, but she shook her head at the thought. She had been traveling with him for quite some time now, and she trusted him completely.

"Right this way." Katsura said as he led her up the stairs.

Once they were up in the Quarters, Serana was quite impressed with the place.

"Make yourself at home. My home is your home." Katsura said as he went towards the back of the room where the bed was and set his things down.

Serana looked around the place and at the garden.

"This place is quite beautiful. I really like the garden too." she said to him as she ran her fingers over one of the flowers.

"I'm glad you do." Katsura said, "But let's get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Right. So where should I sleep?" Serana inquired.

"There's only one bed here." he told her.

"But what about you?"

"There's only one bed here." Katsura repeated.

Serana put two and two together and then fought back her reddening cheeks.

"I...you...but...us sleeping together? I...I thought I...when you proposed to me...I don't..." Serana was a stuttering mess.

That made Katsura laugh which made Serana puff up.

"Don't laugh at me, this is serious!" she exclaimed.

"It's just sleeping Serana. Nothing serious. It's just the floor is really uncomfortable here and I don't want you to be in discomfort." Katsura explained to her, "I know where you stand on deeper relationships and I won't push it. Just friends lying next to one another. Nothing romantic."

Serana opened her mouth to say something but then closed it and let out a breath. She looked at him and then nodded her head.

"Very well, but only because I trust you. No emotions, no feelings; just sleeping, got it?" Serana said.

Katsura let out an exasperated sigh, "Yes yes..."

Serana nodded her head and then slowly moved into the bed next to her best friend, her only friend and her only hope; Skyrim's only hope.

"Good night."

"Sleep well...and no drooling on my pillow." Katsura joked.

Serana chuckled, "No promises."

Katsura chuckled with her and then settled down and closed his eyes. Their trip back to Winterhold had completely wiped him out and he was asleep in a matter of seconds lying next to the only woman that he couldn't charm. Her scent was sweet and it filled his nose being so close to her. He longed to be more to her but he would stay true to what he had said; he would make no further attempts to deepen their relationship.

Current Day, 08:22 AM

Katsura woke up the next morning and yawned, stretching his arms out above his head.

"So I assume you didn't drool on my pillow last..."

But she wasn't there when he turned his head to look at her. That confused him.

"Serana?"

Katsura sat up and then looked around. He stretched out his arms and rolled his shoulders before standing up to go look for her.

"Where is my favorite vamp..." but stopped when he saw her.

When he had turned the corner, he saw her meditating in the gardens. He shut his mouth and stopped talking, feeling bad for being loud just moments ago. He turned around to give her some privacy, but right as he did, she called out to him.

"It's alright, I'm finished."

Katsura turned back around and faced Serana as she stood back up and dusted herself off.

"Sorry to have bothered you." he apologized, "I was just a bit worried when you weren't there."

Serana turned to him and smiled softly.

"I knew you'd miss me."

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The above was a small story that popped in my head when I first took Serana to the College of Winterhold since that's my main housing place. I really like Serana a lot; more than any other NPC.

Check out the alternate shot by clicking on this [link]

Character: Serana
Game: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim