Princess of the Clockwork

“Lily! He's here!! Take Ivory and run!" the dark haired man cried as he lunged toward the door, intent on halting or at least delaying the menace that now advanced upon his family. The hooded figure smirked at the father's foolish bravery as the green jet of light hit the father in the chest, ripping his soul away and casting it into the void.

Like a poison in a wound he glided slowly up the stairs, certain in his coming victory. In the small nursery upstairs an auburn haired woman cradled a small black haired infant as she muttered an incantation. A small circle of candles flickered around her, a pitiful barrier against the coming storm. Yet it was this ritual that caught a being’s attention.

Far removed from the plane of existence a presence stirred intrigued with the plea that reached its ears. it extended its consciousness to two different worlds.

“What are you willing to give?” It asked the desperate mother.

“All that I am or could be.” She replied. “If it will save my daughter I will give all that I am.”

The presence paused for a moment, time was such an elastic thing really, and an eternity to the being could be the merest fraction of a moment elsewhere. Its mind touched another woman’s. A woman sitting in a chair looking out at the night sky and desiring what she couldn't have.

“Would you accept a deal young one?" 

“Will it save a life?” She queried the being assented and directed her thoughts to the mother.

“Please save my daughter.” The mother pleaded a tear rolling down her cheek. “I am running out of time!”

The being considered for the briefest moment before assenting. The door opened to reveal the hooded man.

“Give me the child!” He commanded striding forward with his wand pointing at the mother’s back.

“No!” The mother snarled curling her body around the child in an instinctive attempt to shield him from the figure.

“Stand aside you silly girl!” The figure commanded again.

“Not Ivory. Take me instead but not Ivory.” The woman pleaded, praying her child would survive this night.

The figure made no sound for a moment before jabbing his wand at the woman shrieking, “Avada Kedavra!”

A bolt of green light shot from his wand and sped toward her back, a glowing purple and black portal swirled into existence and a pair of hands took the child as the bolt hit the mother.

The hands in the portal quickly withdrew as a second curse flew at the portal. Two magic’s that should never mix, encountered each other, and the resulting explosion destroyed the house, the hooded figure and attempted to attack the child. A barrier warded it off except for a tiny sliver that was too close, this sliver of power struck the child in the forehead and burned a lighting shaped rune into the girl’s skin, forever marking her. The portal sealed behind the child and left no trace of its ever existing.

Hours later a man in long black robes and greasy black hair appeared in the scene. The sight of the smoldering wreckage made him cry the mother’s name as he sprinted into the ruins. He found the father’s smoldering corpse first, laying at the bottom of the stairs where he had fallen. Up the stairs the remains of the mother's body smoked, an unrecognisable husk lying next to a pile of ash and charred black cloth. The man fell to his knees beside the mother's body and howled like a wounded beast, gone, she was gone.

The roar of an engine cut through his grief, he had to flee. Others were coming. With a pop he vanished as another black haired man nearly killed himself jumping off the still moving motorcycle that had just landed. He too ran into the smoke and ash, crying the family’s names desperately and came upon the same scene as his predecessor.

Where he halted in horror before digging through the searing rubble crying, “Ivory!”

A wild looking giant of a man appeared too and joined the man in the ruins, tears were pouring down both their faces.

“My fault, all my fault.” the man kept murmuring.

“Wadda ya mean yur fault?” the giant rumbled turning on the man with rage beginning to kindle in his normally kind gaze.

“I told them not to use me and they paid for my mistake.” the man wept burying his face in his hands. “I was the decoy, everyone would be chasing me and keeping them safe.” The words came out muffled and the giant took a step back.

“If not you then who?”  he asked, the man gave a broken sob and whispered one word.

“Pettigrew.”

In the darkness between worlds, beyond even Oblivion, a woman held a child. The woman was clearly not mortal though, tiny pinpricks of light swirled around her form like a dress and her eyes held the eternity of the cosmos. She was a sentinel, a guardian of the balance of existence, daughter of energy, even gods feared her.

“I am sorry little one.” She whispered to the child who now cried in her arms. At the soothing sound of her voice, one filled with the sound of a mother’s pure love, the child stilled and looked at her with solemn emerald green eyes.

Within Cyrodiil’s White Gold Tower sat the Royal family of St Alessia’s main line. Hecate, Empress wife and mate to Miraak, had platinum blonde hair and emerald green eyes. She wore a bright green dress and a pale blue ribbon with a dragon’s tooth around her neck.

Miraak, Emperor husband and mate to Hecate, had dark brown hair with his bangs pulled into two braids and his eyes were pitch black with green flecks. He wore his Dragon Priest robes that had been remade from a pale blue dyed cloth and around his neck was a bright green ribbon with a dragon’s claw hanging from it.

Together Hecate and Miraak had three daughters. Each sister on their own were already tough foes but together they were far worse in battle. They were known as the “Sisters of Battle” and the “Three Lords” as they only yielded to those strongest, aside from their parents. The first was Pyra, the Harbinger of the Companions and mate Vilkas a fellow Companion. The oldest daughter had fire red hair pulled into a pair of buns with braids that were in front of her ears. The braids fell to her shoulders, yet her eyes were orange. She wore armor that had wolves carved into the shoulder and knee pads. Pyra was also a new mother of a baby boy she named Torn thanks to one of his ears having a sliver taken out of it.

Pyra’s younger sister was Aropet, the second born daughter to Hecate and Miraak. She had brown hair with blue streaks running through the lock, her eyes were bio-colored, the left being blue and the right green. Her dress was short in the front and long in the back colored a teal green and sand yellow. She was happily married to a woman called Ria and they had a son together. Their son was named Atmor, thanks to a potion made by the College of Winterhold which allowed them to have a child.

The third sister and daughter was Tharea, she had a navy peony rope wad lightly strewn by crystals, two main colors were blue and purple. Her hair looked like some sort of black abyss with some purple and blue streaks throughout the mass and blood red eyes with slit pupils. Tharea was married to the Clockwork God and was the only sister without a child. She was unable to have kids and it broke her heart to see her sisters having the only thing she couldn’t. 

Tharea was walking about her room within the White Gold Tower thinking of how much she wanted to be a mother. Sure she loved her husband but nothing they had tried worked. She settled into a chair and put her head in her hands sighing sadly. The woman, who had been looking for the perfect mother, took a handful of steps forward, and with those steps, slipped past the layers that surrounded another world and into the world of a Dovakiin.

“Princess Tharea Septem-Andariel” The woman whispered to the dragonborn who knelt before her. “I am Stillness, Guardian of worlds. I heard a young mother’s cry to save her child and did so. You have also performed many deeds and sacrificed much to save this world from destruction.”

The youngest royal sister looked up at the being curiously, but kept silent. A small tear slipped from the nord’s deep blood colored eyes as she swallowed hard and nodded before looking away. She had been named Archmage of Winterhold College for stopping the Eye of Magnus and the Thalmor agent Ancano from unleashing a great evil and destroying what was left of Winterhold. But the cost has been her ability to have children, which she hadn't known about until three days later when she woke up from the fight.

“Then take this child, I make her yours in blood and spirit. A child to carry on your legacy as you sacrificed your hope for children to stop that evil from destroying a place you call home away from home.”

Tharea’s head jerked up and her eyes filled with hope. The woman held the child out to her. “Take your daughter and name her well young mother.”

Gently the woman stood, her somewhat small six foot three frame barely reaching the woman's collar bone as she reached out and took the infant. The little one's eyes were now mismatched her left eye being teal and the right being twilight purple. Every now and then there was the flash of killing curse green shining away. Her hair was black on the top but the underside was bleach white with bright blue streaks.

“My little Ivory Stardust Andariel, my little princess.” She murmured before lifting her head to look at the woman who nodded.

“A fitting name, for a precious gift.”

Tharea nodded as she choked. “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.” 

The woman frowned ever so slightly, “Though he is yours there may be a chance that those from his old world will seek to claim him again. Be on your guard and be prepared to decide, should that day ever come. Farewell Princess Tharea Dovah Andariel." With that the woman vanished in a swirl of shadow and a spray of stars.

Tharea looked down at her new daughter who shivered slightly in the thin night clothes she was dressed in. 

“Come little Ivory, let's get you into something warmer.” Tharea giggled as her daughter yawned widely. “and to bed.”

Tharea used her magika to close the open window then started a warm fire before she looked in the chest near the foot of her bed. She knew her husband would be here soon as would the rest of her family.

The Throne Aligned, At The Same Time

"Curious." The individual replied as he was pulled back from his vision the cogs that were turning and rotating within the throne aligned.

The room would grant him visions sometimes, this was definitely one of the stranger visions. His old friend Sotha Sil had come to him about a vision he had just a week before hand. He sighed as he stood up and felt a great shift within the air and the power of magic shifted about. This man knew that it was almost time for the change to come but he couldn't let this little guest be harmed. The same little guest his wife would present to him as their daughter and he wouldn't deny her.

The man had black hair the outside edges being white which looked like a thick band around an inch and half long. His name was unused by most the people of the city, as to them he was their god. And to his people gods don't need to have their names used by their worshipers. His Twilight Purple Eyes made it hard on outsider to doubt his power yet that barely had been a problem in years.

"This is an unknown, a variable I have never seen before.” Andariel Hav or Adder as he was known as by his wife, closest friends, and followers.

He prided himself on his knowledge, it was part of his sphere as a member of the Tribunal. But this girl, he knew she was coming. And he knew she was coming soon.

“This child, my daughter will change fate, destiny, all of it.” Adder said as he made the choice. “It looks like she's changed fate before we even meet.”

The Clockwork God thought as he penned two data plaques for Delifone Mir, the other for Sotha Sil, and sent it to his friends with a wave of power.

Cyrodiil, White Gold Tower

Tharea had been a busy mama, having made a cradle from dragon bones and animal pelts. She had given her little lady a bath and some little bit of snowberry jelly just in case Ivory couldn't handle completely solid food yet. Needless to say Ivory had eaten every bit of the jelly without much trouble and was rather clean about it too. There was a knocking at the door and in walked Pyra, Aropet, and the sisters's parents. Since they all mostly were staying in the White Gold Tower until it was safe for all to travel, news of Tharea having a baby girl traveled like wildfire throughout the halls.

"Mother, father, sisters. Come in I need to speak with you all." Tharea tried to keep her voice down and desperately tried not to squeal in joy. "I had a visit from a god."

The four other royals  stopped and shared a look incredulously then Miraak laughed "And what kind of quest were you given this time?"

"Not a quest, father. A reward." Tharea said firmly. This caused the youngest princess's family to look at her in confusion and Tharea elaborated, "You know that I gained a lot of knowledge to stop Ancono and the Eye of Magnus at the College of Winterhold. Well that battle had a price, I lost up my ability to have children when I was fighting Ancono. At the time it seemed like a worthy price to pay for my recklessness, but lately..."

She trailed off and Hecate finished the statement, "You've started to want what you could not have?"

Tharea nodded, "Then Stillness gave me her."

Tharea moved over to a spot near her bed and now her kin saw a small cradle that was made from dragon bones, filled with soft fur pelts and one small black haired half nord and half dunmer child. Tharea's sisters were in shock but their parents saw Tharea was beyond happy and the gloomy look in her eyes had faded. 

“Can I hold her?” Pyra pleaded, her fiery eyes soft and hopeful.

Tharea laughed softly and gently picked the child up from her nest and after cradling her for a moment handed him to her best friend and oldest sister. As she watched the werewolf Dragonborn holding her daughter she had an idea.

“Pyra?” She said quietly, the werewolf sister looked up, “Would you be her godsmother?”

Shock registered on the woman's face before she smiled brightly, “Of course Tharea. I would be honoured. After all Aropet you are my little Torn's godmother, and Tharea is your little Atmor's godsmother.”

Tharea smiled broadly, “I plan to head to the temple of the divines in Solitude to have her blessed, as her godsmother would you come with me?”

Pyra grinned, as she already had her son bless led along with her nephew, Atmor. “Wild horses and dragons couldn't stop me.”

Several hours later saw the two of them sitting in a carriage bound north to the capital city. Little Ivory jabbered at them in an unknown language but quickly began to pick up words like Mama and Aya which she began using to identify the two women at their prompting. It took five days to reach the capital but on the way they purchased several much needed items for little Ivory's care and both quickly learned how to feed and change the small child.

It was twilight when they reached the city, Tharea was singing a Dragonborn lullaby to the yawning child while rocking her little princess.

“Night

Night never fades away

Here among the passing days

Light returns to grey

Look inside

You will find what lies within

Don′t ever give in

No don't ever give in

Live~”

Pyra had lost a running battle with sleep as well. The carriage drew to a halt and Tharea nudged her sieter with her foot. Pyra jerked awake with an undignified snore before blinking and seeing that they had arrived. They dismounted from the carriage and paid the driver before walking through the darkening streets to Proudspire manor where they all fell into an exhausted sleep.

At dawn the next morning Tharea was up and in the temple of the divines arranging for the ceremony to happen, a quick stop by the market to gather food for her daughter and she was back at the manor where a bright eyed Ivory toddled around between Pyra and their housecarl Jordis and shouting chortling random sounds as the two women played with her.

“My lady you have returned.” Jordis said startled to see her thane's sister standing near the stairs watching them.

“Yes I have and I just managed to arrange her naming day ceremony, tomorrow.” Tharea then turned to Jordis with a smile. "I would be honoured if you would be his protector should Pyra or I fall."

The housecarl's jaw fell open and she stuttered. "I….I would be truly honoured my lady."

"Wonderful. Now to Radiant Raiment's, for some proper clothes." Pyra said as Tharea bent and scooped Ivory up and strode out the door toward the market district.

“We are gathered here in this sacred space to welcome a new soul to mundus.” The priestess of Akatosh intoned.

Tharea was standing in a beautiful green velvet dress holding her daughter who wore a deep green child's dress of fine linen and brown shoes. Pyra stood to her right in red velvet and Jordis on her left in her finest ebony armour that Hecate had given her.

“Who brings this child forth?” the priest of Julianos asked, Tharea stepped forward.

“I, Tharea Dovha Septem-Andariel, Dragonborn, Princess of Cyrodiil, Arch-mage of the Collage of Winterhold, and Queen of Clockwork City bring forth my child.” She replied firmly.

“And who have you chosen to raise your child should you fall?” a priest of Arkay asked her.

“She who is my sister of blood spirit and fellow Dragonborn, Pyra Wrath Durin will be my child's Godsmother.” She replied and Pyra stepped forward to join her again.

“And who shall protect him should you both fail?” the Priest of Stendarr asked quietly.

“Jordis Shield-Maiden shall protect her should this occur.” Serana told them her eyes blazing at this question. Jordis stepped up to join her thane and thane’s sister.

“Then let us see what sign your child was born beneath.” Kynareth's priestess said, her hands glowing with light that she let flow over the child. The symbol of the apprentice formed in the air above the child. 

“What shall be the child's name?” the priestess of Dibella asked smiling at the now gurgling child.

“Her name is Ivory Stardust Andariel, daughter of Tharea Septem-Andariel, born in Cyrodiil.”

“Then we shall place the blessings of the Divines upon the child.” The Akatosh priestess said and each priest took a step forward one at a time to bless the child.

"May Akatosh grant you Long Life,”

"May Julianos gift you with his Wisdom,”

"May Dibella grace you with her Beauty,”

"May Mara aid you in finding Love,”

"May Kynareth grant you Freedom,”

"May Stendarr gift you with Mercy,”

"May Zenithar bless your Work,”

"May Arkay grant you Peaceful Rest.”

Each priest touched the child's brow and with each blessing the scar grew fainter and fainter until it was almost completely invisible unless you knew to look for it.

"We welcome Ivory Stardust Andariel, Daughter of Tharea Septem-Andariel to mundus. May she live a long and full life under the guidance of the gods." The head priestess finished and drew the symbol of the Aedra on Ivory's forehead with oil.

"So mote it be.” Intoned the others.

"So mote it be" echoed Tharea, Pyra, and Jordis.

"Go in peace Dragonborn." the priest of Stendarr told them after they had finished signing all the relevant documents that made Ivory an imperial citizen of the province of Skyrim, Cyrodiil, and legally recognized him as the child of Tharea. Thanking the priest the trio of women and the child left.

Earth, Great Britain, Ministry of Magic, Department of Mysteries

Within the many doors, rooms, and vaults that held thousands upon thousands of things that had been considered dangerous or unknown of use and so where locked away if it could be. But there was one door that hadn't ever been opened since the creation of the Department of Mysteries or even the Ministry of Magic. No one really knew why this room was sealed up by an unknown form of magic or what was behind the door. Yet that didn't stop any who worked within or that visited the Department of Mysteries from hearing whispering coming from the door.

Some of the unspeakables said they would feel like the had run into a dementia or a whole horde of them when they were near that door. Claiming to hear a chanting from the other side and could everything but their hatred and sadness being sucked out of their bodies. It was as if their souls were crying out for whatever was on the other side of that damn seal stone door.

"Soul within the magical void... Know this is the end..."

That was the chanting that many would claim to hear even when they weren't anywhere near the old stone door. The voices sounded like hundreds, upon thousands, upon millions of children's voices as speaking as one or in groups. It would make even the most insane inmates on Azkaban Island seem sane. Which was very terrifying as many of those witches and wizards within the fortress turned into a prison where either fanatics or completely crazy in one way or another.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 

Albus was finishing some late night paperwork, if he was being honest this situation with the cursed vaults was going too far, when all of a sudden the Book of Names began to glow. The old headmaster smiled as a new name was entered into the book before going over to check, opening the page he frowned as Ivory Potter’s was gone, in there places was perhaps the strangest name he had seen.

"Who are Ivory Andariel?" He asked to himself.