Beautiful Insanity (A Skyrim/Oblivion Fanfiction) ((ORIGINAL))

A/N: I came up with a reason why Hirrus Clutumnus wanted to die. The theory's in this chapter-- and it WILL have an impact on future events.

I've decided something! The first three people to comment what pet my daughter Runa had in Skyrim (and guess correctly) will get a hint about the book's future chapters! If this turns out well, I may do it again. Oh, and a hint about the answer... See the pets below! Guess the name, and I'll PM you a hint!

•Bran the Husky•Sceolang the Husky•Dog•Stray Dog•Vigilance•Meeko•Cotton the Rabbit•Kit the Fox•Vix the Fox•Pincer the Mudcrab•Biter the Skeever

...

((Regina's POV))

I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. I'd seen hundreds of mirrors in my lifetime. But when I looked in this one, I saw only my own flaws. My hair was too dark for my pale skin. My eyes were grayer than they were blue. A scar on my lip made me look dark and melancholy. I curled my hands into a fist and shut my eyes, absently throwing a blanket over the mirror.

Before I began to attack myself from the self-hatred that had suddenly gripped my heart with ice-cold fingers, I stormed out of the house. It was raining in Crucible, and I decided that I needed a hot meal. An inn would have food, I reasoned. Sickly Bernice's Taphouse was the only establishment like an inn, though the name didn't seem very comforting.

I strode inside and looked around, shutting the door behind me. Taking deep breaths to steady my heartbeat, I approached the counter. The woman I presumed to be the owner, Bernice, stared at me dully. She had black rings under her eyes, though that was the extent of what seemed to be 'illness'.

"Oh... hello. Sickly Bernice, proprietor. Don't get too close now, you might catch what I have."

"What do you have?"

"I haven't the foggiest clue. But it's a wretched condition. It seems I am dying. Yes, these may be my last days in the Shivering Isles. That is, unless someone like yourself could help me find the cure. But no one has taken me up on my offer, even with the promise of a reward. Ah well, it's been a good life I suppose..."

"That's a shame."

"C-could you help me?" I was taken aback by Sickly Bernice's request. "I need a cure!"

"How am I supposed to cure you? My magic specialty is Destruction, not Restoration. Though I suppose if you died, I could--"

"No, I know the--" Bernice began to cough violently, and I wiped away a drip of spittle that landed on my cheek. "I need aquanostrom. Oh yes... it's the miracle remedy for any disease! I was told about this wonderful solution by a recent patron of my establishment. He said if I let him stay for free, he'd tell me how to cure my sickness! How fortuitous!"

"Ma'am? He was likely trying to trick you. From what I can see, you're actually quite healthy." Unfortunately, the madwoman ignored me.

"Apparently it only exists at the bottom of Knotty Bramble... ah well. So close, yet so far."

"Where's Knotty Bramble? Should any of this make sense to me?" I realized that dealing with the mad was like dealing with children. It made it easier, at least, to speak to some of them.

"Oh, so you'll help me?"

"I never said tha--"

"Thank you! Here, I'll mark it on a map." She grabbed a map from underneath the counter.

"You don't have to do anything, I--!"

"Here, dear." Sickly Bernice slammed an odd fruit on my map. Juice dripped down the sides of the bar, and a red blotch covered part of the parchment. "I'll reward you handsomely when you return! Thanks so much!" I shook with anger at not being listened to.

"I'm not going to help you!" Finally, the taphouse's owner was silent, and my cheeks flamed red.

"What?"

"You forced this on me. I'm not going out into a land I've never even been to!"

"Oh... very well. You've doomed a frail woman to certain death..." I felt a tug of guilt and anxiety. "I truly wish I could continue my existence, but if you don't want to help me, then that's your own choice..." I smacked myself in the face, drawing my hand down in irritation.

"...Fine. I'll go," I agreed reluctantly, hoping I wasn't walking to my doom by helping a strange woman.

"You'll need plenty of provisions. Take this. Oh, and this. This as well. You never know if you might die on the way there from hunger. Or a Hunger." I didn't get a hot meal like I wanted. I got a dangerous quest and a few pieces of stale bread. Great. If Sheogorath needs me and I'm away, I am beyond damned.

Maybe staying away from these thrice-be-damned cities is what I need to keep from going crazy...

...

"What the hell is this place?!" I roasted another giant bug alive. It squealed and tipped over, a foul stench rising from the body. It stared ahead blankly, and I wiped away bug blood from my hands, hating the sticky feel. Creatures I identified as Elytra constantly flung themselves at me, and I'd gotten nothing but wounds from the accursed place.

Finally, finally, after what seemed like years, I reached the inner sanctum. Yet again, I was forced to battle my way through waves of vermin. My magicka was running out, and I wasn't quite skilled enough with a sword for Grommok's blade Duskfang to do much for me. It took a simple flare spell to kill them, but I recuperated too slowly. I scooped up some of the "aquanostrum" from the pool. It appeared to me just dirty water that would more likely than not cause a disease, not cure it. Oh well. If this is a miracle cure in the Isles... then who am I to judge?

"Mortal!" The caverns shook as the Daedric Prince shouted. "Get here! There's a job! Or is it a cob? Bah, I forgot! Regardless... get your blasted mousey ass here now!" The cave stopped shaking, and I sighed in irritation. I'm not going to get there in time. I'm dead. "I said, COME HERE NOW!" Despite everything, I trudged back through Knotty Bramble, cutting apart the few Elytra I missed.

I took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up hopelessly lost. I whirled around in a panic, desperate to escape the labyrinth I'd placed myself in. I had no map and no way to tell where I'd been. Each tunnel looked exactly the same. What was worse was that inside of the wooden walls I heard the skittering of insect feet. I had no doubt in my mind that more Elytra lived within the root tunnel.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and a small hissing noise sent a shiver through my body. A massive Elytra loomed over me, snapping its slavering jaws in excitement. I drove the sword into its chest, ignoring the green blood that slid down the blade. It gurgled as it died, disgusting goop dripping from its maw. My hair was a mess, and I had more scratches from the beasts than I cared to count. At least I haven't been bitten. The poison on those jaws looks lethal.

Knock on wood.

As soon as I turned back towards my original path, three Elytra sprang at me. They were small, but dangerous. I killed one by slamming my sword into its throat, the second with a well-placed flare spell. Unfortunately, that thoroughly pissed off the third. It ignored the fire in my palm and clamped its mouth on my arm. I shrieked as it pumped venom into my bloodstream. My blood boiled and burned. A weak swing cut off the bug's head, but I had no more strength. In the back of my mind, I tried one more thing-- summoning Haskill.

Violet smoke filled the tunnel. "Yes, madam?" He didn't see me at first, but his brow raised once he did. My vision was hazy, but I could have sworn that genuine concern appeared on his face. I passed out, hoping that he would take pity on me.