Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion fanfiction
The Dark Gift

Late one night in Bruma, the door to the tavern opened and a man in Legion armor entered. He sat down on a high stool and took off his helmet, revealing his cat-like Khajiit face.

“One Surrille please.”

“What vintage?” The bartender asked.

“The cheapest.” He ruffled through his pockets.

“That’ll be 9 Septims.”

He paused for a moment. “Oh, that’s right. I’m buying not selling.” The Khajiit mumbled.

“What was that?” She asked.

“Nothing.”

A little girl in a black dress walked over and tugged at the bartender’s apron. “Mom? Can you read me a bedtime story?”

“In minute, dear.” She walked over to the wine cabinet. “Just let me get this man a drink. Ugh, we’re out up here. Hold on, I know we have some in the cellar. I’ll be right back.”

As the bartender went to fetch the wine, the girl got up on a stool next to the Khajiit. While his legs touched the floor, hers didn’t come even close.

“Hi. You must be new in town. I’ve never seen you before. And I know everybody. My name’s Reina. What’s yours?”

He found a Repair Hammer in his pocket and began to work on his helmet. “Fervor.” He grumbled.

“Hey…” She leaned on the table and got real close to his face. “You look pretty pale.”

“So?”

“Are you sick?”

“A little, I suppose.”

“You suppose?”

“Yeah. Damn.” Fervor had hit his finger with the Repair Hammer, which broke on contact. He started licking it to reduce the pain.

“Wow, you have pretty big teeth.” Reina said.

“All Khajiit have these jaws.”

The bartender returned. “Here’s your wine, sir.”

He shoved his helmet and the broken hammer aside. “Thanks.” He popped the cork out and took a swig.

“Fervor…you must be a vampire!” Reina’s eyes lit up.

“Reina! Don’t be absurd! Leave him alone!” The bartender insisted.

“But mom! Look! His face is all white and he’s got big teeth!”

“I told you to stop this vampire business time and time again! Quit bothering the poor man!”

“She’s no bother.” Fervor grunted as he took another sip, seeming to ignore the accusation.

“So you are a vampire?” Reina persisted.

“They don’t exist.” He said.

“They do too! Travelers talk about them all the time in here!”

“A lot of people jump to conclusions and call him or her a vampire. It’s all rumors and grown men scared of the dark.” Fervor explained.

“You are a vampire.” She pointed.

“Stop this at once, child!” The bartender yelled.

Reina ignored her. “Bite me! Bite me and make me a vampire!”

“What?” He groaned, clearly annoyed.

“That’s enough out of you, young lady! Go to your room! No supper either!”

“Aww…” Defeated, Reina slowly made her way to the stairs. When she reached the top, she looked down. “Goodbye, Mr. Fervor.”

“See ya, kid.”

The bartender waited till she heard the door close. “I’m terribly sorry. The girl has an unusual fascination with…vampires, zombies, creatures of the night, and all that rubbish.”

“Now zombies are a whole different story.” Fervor replied. “Those things are the real deal. I’ve had to fight a few of them on multiple occasions. Keep the peace, you know.”

She looked at his Legion gear. “I didn’t know they let Khajiit into their ranks.”

"They make exceptions for those with skill and loyalty.” He lied, taking another swig of wine.

“Makes sense.” She looked up at the stairs. “Reina’s parents…they were killed by the Dark Brotherhood.”

“Really? What’s the story behind that?”

“Who knows? But they were found dead in their home. Apparently, they were instructed to do it quietly and leave Reina alive. She’s an orphan now, living with whoever is willing to take her in. Folks around here though…bless their hearts; everyone takes turns having her live with them every now and then. Tonight’s my last night with her, actually.”

“Wow…so she calls you her mother?”

“Funny thing, whatever couple she lives with, she calls her mom and dad. It’s unstable enough that she lives with everyone, moving all the time. But to, in her mind, keep changing parents? Oh… it’s awful.” The bartender hit the counter. “Damn the Dark Brotherhood! They’re monsters…”

“Both on the inside and out, I hear.” Fervor replied. “People of all races, maybe even werewolves and vampires. If they do exist, the Dark Brotherhood’s got to have at least one or two of them. Oh, and don’t forget the Necromancy.”

The bartender noticed his cup was empty. “Would you like some more wine?”

“Naw, I’m good. Better be going back to the barracks.” Fervor stood up and put his helmet on. “Thank you, miss. Enjoyed it.”

“Good night, sir.”

He stepped outside. I should probably find Baenlin’s manor and scope it out. Then I’ll move tomorrow night. He thought.

Fervor observed Baenlin’s home and calculated the easiest way in. Then he stayed at the inn till nightfall the next day. At 2 a.m. on the third day, he broke into Baenlin’s home using a single lockpick.

Carefully, he found the nearest dark corner, over by the cupboard at the entrance. The Khajiit remained still and blended with the darkness. Fervor listened carefully. He heard no footsteps, only faint snoring of two people. He crouched down and began to search the house and stole anything of value.

Suddenly, he heard a ruffling noise. Fervor slowly turned around. On the couch was a hulking figure in fur armor, sleeping. He had a deadly-looking mace on his belt.

This must be Gromm, Baenlin’s personal bodyguard. I’m supposed to leave him alive.

Fervor crept upstairs and entered the master bedroom. Sorry, Baenlin. The Brotherhood wants you dead. It’s time to-

But he noticed the bed’s occupant was, in fact, not an old man. It was Reina, sleeping quietly. Fervor stepped across the hall, into Gromm’s room. Baenlin himself lay in the bed.

I see. He returned to Reina. The bartender said that there was about to be a switch in her home. By ill fortune, Baenlin took her in this time. He gave up his comfortable bed for her to sleep in and Gromm gave up his own to his master, while he slept on the couch.

The Khajiit looked at her little face. Her tragic story kept playing over in his head. She was taken care of, yet so very alone. He stroked her hair out of her eyes.

So…you want to be a vampire. I can help you with that. But I mustn’t overdo it. She doesn’t have as much blood as an adult. I could suck her dry.

Fervor crouched down and slowly, carefully bit her neck.

Moments later, Reina woke with a start. Her window was open and the curtains were flowing in. She saw a figure leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

Then she felt her neck. Two bloody holes were on the side. She immediately screamed.

Awakened by her cries, Baenlin and Gromm rushed to her side. “What?! Are you all right?!” They demanded.

Reina was jumping up and down on the bed with delight. “He came! He came! I’m a vampire! I’m a vampire! Yay!”

“She’s all right.” Baenlin sighed in relief.

Gromm walked to the window and looked outside. “It’s probably long-gone by now. We’re all safe.”

“I’m a vampire! I’m a vampire! At last!” Reina repeated, overjoyed by her surprise gift.

“Hold still, child! Let me see…” Baenlin inspected her neck. “It only fed on her. She’s not infected.”

“I’m a vampire!”

“No, you’re not! It only sucked your blood!” Gromm insisted.

“I am one too!”

“Quiet down and stop jumping! You’ll wake all of Cyrodiil!” He ordered.

Reina ignored him and went to the window and waved out to someone she couldn’t see. “Thank you!!!” She yelled as hard as her little voice could.

“By the Nine Divines, silence!”

At the far edge of Bruma, Fervor was passing through the gate. He turned as he heard her and smiled a little.

“Oh, that silly girl…” The town guard next to him groaned. “What’s with her at this ungodly hour?”

“I don’t know.” Fervor replied, still looking in Reina’s general direction. “Something really good must’ve happened to her.”

“Guess so. May good fortune be with you on your travels, citizen.”

Fervor exited Bruma and the gates closed behind him. She was too young. I couldn’t turn her into a REAL vampire, or even partially. That would just be cruel. One day she’ll realize what it truly means to live like I do. It’s not easy.

Since her parents died, Reina had been taken care of. People let her into their homes, gave her food. They gave her what she needed. But Fervor could tell that they never gave her what she wanted. Toys. Comfort. A mother and father’s unending love. Reina tried to fill the emptiness where these things belong with fantasy. In her case, it was vampires. As a result of a child’s dreams, she wanted to become a vampire for real. She had hoped that one day a vampire would come and turn her into one of them. For when that happened, she would be in a family of the creatures of the night.

Reina knew that Fervor had not turned her into a vampire. But he had shown her love that she wanted. Someone had finally cared about her, instead of for her. Fervor had brought a gentle reality to her fantasies. He satisfied her with the thought of vampires actually being real, a concept everyone else rejected.

The bite mark would fade away, but Reina would never forget the thoughtfulness of Fervor, a gruff Khajiit vampire pretending to be with the Legion.

Fervor himself sighed. I knew I couldn’t kill Baenlin while she was there. I don’t want her to relive her parents’ murder. Not at my hands. I’ll have to return and kill him when she’s moved to another house. Still, Vicente won’t be too happy when he realizes I let them survive a little longer.

Unfortunately, I didn’t suck enough out of her to regain immunity to sunlight. What’s worse, the sun will be up in a few hours. I have to move fast. damn, I’m too soft…

West into the wilderness, he ran. Ran from persecution. Ran from the “vampire attack” he had committed. Ran from any potential conversation with Reina. Ran from the rising sun in the east. This was his new life. A life of power in exile.

It was not a life for that little girl.