Valerica’s Return*

Once you’ve defeated Lord Harkon, Valerica no longer needs to remain in exile in the Soul Cairn. Backtrack to the Volkihar Balcony, open the door into her Laboratory, enter the Soul Cairn, and trek back to her location in the Boneyard.

You can now convince her to return to Castle Volkihar (to live with you and Serana as vampires or to start a more peaceful sect within the castle). She will make her way back on her own; you need not chaperone her.

Visit her the next time your adventure brings you to Castle Volkihar, and you will find that she has moved back into her lab and is now tending a garden in the moondial courtyard. Help yourself to any of the ingredient plants in the garden or to the potions in her chambers.