Rest in Peace... Diamond of Riverwood

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After taking care of J'sharr at the pit, Gorr and Illidan quickly hopped on to their steeds and then like the wind, they raced from the intersecting border of Whiterun, Falkreath, and the Reach to the icy caps of Winterhold hold. They spared no second, fearing what Zora's into, quickly passing every traveler, and even passing through 3 bandit encampments like a gust of wind.

As they reached the icy tundra at nightfall, they were greeted by a roaring blizzard as they went close to the shoreline of the Sea of Ghosts. Bodies shaking, and limbs at near-frostbite, the redguard and dunmer braved the impenetrable blizzard with only furs and metal plates protecting them from the blistering cold death.

As they traversed the ice caps, they finally reached Sky Temple Ruins where Zora was held. Immediately as they set foot on the thick snow, they were greeted by a group of well-armed sellswords. From the frozen shroud, a robed figure wielding an enchanted staff stepped out. "It's the pit dogs! Kill them!" The robed figure dictated. Gorr and Illidan drew their weapons and immediately clashed blades with the sellswords.

In the midst of the battle, Illidan kept his eye to find Zora. But as they clashed blades he saw no sign of the woman. This is bad. They went back-to-back, "Found her yet?" asked the brute redguard. "Tch no. I can't feel her presence either." And Illidan has the sharpest senses among the two. If Zora's here, then the moment they set foot in here he would have felt her shadow already. But this time there's none.

"Look out!"

Gorr quickly pushed the dunmer away from an incoming lightning bolt. It struck him on his right arm. "Argh!" The burn from that lightning bolt quickly charred-off the iron plating protecting his arm. Fortunately he only suffered a second-degree burn. "Damn you!" Building momentum, Illidan pulled out two iron arrows from his quiver and strafed through the poor visibility. Two sellswords fell as they were struck precisely at their throats while two other charged in with blades flashing. He quickly discarded his bow and brandished his axe and shortsword. At they closed the distance, Illidan twisted his upper body then performed an aerial axle; decapitating the two sellswords in one fell swoop.

His eyes widened as he heard a loud buzzing behind the poor visibility of the blizzard. In an instant, two lightning bolts were hurled directly at the dunmer. Illidan quickly rolled out of the way and charged through like a bolt of lightning, and there he was, the robed figure, point-blank. Illidan quickly stabbed him at his gut and lifted him up in the air then slamming the warlock down the snow.

Illidan got up and narrowed his sight upon the white out. "Zora! Zora! Where are you?! Zora!" He called out even through the mass density of the wind. Suddenly, he sensed movement coming from his right. He then rushed through that direction and stumbled upon a old sacrificial pedestal. There lied Zora, a gush of blood rushing through an open wound on her chest struggling to breathe.

"No! Zora!"

Illidan quickly rushed to her and held her in his arms. "My--hero? I-is that you--? Why is it so blurry..? So dark. So cold..." Zora muttered under her fading breath. "No Zora, it's gonna be okay--j-just stay awake don't sleep. We'll treat your wounds right away--" He quickly channeled his magicka unto his right palm and with a warm light he began to mend her open wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "Damn it, work!" Illidan is losing his concentration because of the cold death slowly consuming his physical state. "You will live, Zora... You will live! After this we'll go home to Riverwood and celebrate at the Sleeping Giant Inn okay--? And, and--" With running air, he tried his best to comfort Zora while healing her wound, even he knew there is a slim chance for her to survive. The wounded breton girl then reached for Illidan's cheek,

"My hero, thank you for staying with me... Thank you for accepting me for not what's outside but for what I really am. You have made me feel beautiful than I ever was... but not flamboyant, pretty but not over-the-top... happy but not ignorant."

Zora caressed the dunmer's cheek. He held her hand as tears rolled down his face. "Zora..." He softly uttered her name. "I'm scared... will you stay with me?" said Zora, He then clasped her hand tighter. "Forever..." He softly whispered as he held her.

The blizzard finally came to pass and the sun tore through the clouds. Zora's touch loosened, her eyes closed and smile on her lips. Peace at last. Illidan carried her up and laid her body to the altar.

"Hahaha! her organ samples were the freshest I have ever acquired. Worth every septim."

A mocking gesture from the incapacitated warlock. As Illidan was about to turn and retaliate, the man's head was met with Gorr's warhammer. "Sick sodding bastard!" Squashing the warlock's brain matter all over the snow. The redguard then walked up to the dunmer and patted his shoulder. Gorr walked up to Zora and and bowed his head. "Rest easy, princess. Riverwood won't be the same without you. I'll see you again, when I get there." Gorr then strapped his warhammer back and walked away. Before leaving, he looked back one last time at Illidan to see him still watching over Zora. He just bowed his head and walked away.

As soon as Gorr walked out, he pulled out Zora's satchel on his back and surrounded the altar with tundra cottons. "Zora's field is here to stay." He then took out Marigoth's Crystal and then placed it beside her, "Your sister is here too." And pulled the amulet of Mara off his neck and placed it on her chest. "...and I will never see you wear it again. But perhaps someday." The dunmer then picked up her Steel Greatsword and holstered it on his back.

With a last kiss on her smiling lips. "Goodbye... My Princess. I'll come visit you soon."