User:Radiant Vibes/Fan Fiction 1

t was about five o’clock in the morning. The clouds hung ominously low over the mossy stone entrance towers to Riverwood. The bird cry’s echoed in and out of the little town. My head ached from the day before. I still couldn't believe that I had seen an actual dragon. But the stolen Imperial Armor was a sharp reminder that it definitely wasn’t a dream.

The air felt crisp and damp as I walked under the looming gate out of Riverwood. The sky turned from a drizzle to a downpour. It felt good on my dirt, and sweat covered face. I settled down under the dry part of an evergreen tree next to the river and stripped down to my under garments. I slipped into the cold river, taking in the ice cold water. Goosebumps ran up and down my spine, my quaking muscles relaxed, the stale adrenaline finally draining out of my body. I climbed onto a nearby large rock and focused, my body relaxing completely. My mind felt blank, I didn't bother drying off considering that the downpour had drifted to a constant mist that seemed to come from all angles. I waded over to the dry rock patch where I put my stuff. Once I had it on I felt stiff under the heavy armor. I ran my hands down to my waist to make sure that I have both my swords. The trip to Whiterun was very short, or at least it felt that way. My mind was stirring with thoughts and questions. I remember I met with one of the men that showed me back to Riverwood. I vaguely remembered his name, Alvor I think it was.The memories of dragon haunted me, like I am standing in the shadow of death. I felt a slight jab of guilt in the back of my head. All those innocent people died. Why didn't I die?

“Halt! In the order of Jarl Balgruuf, the city has been sealed off.” The guards voice was stern. I studied the dark gold chipped shield with a white horse head for a moment. I cleared my throat, “Helgen has been attacked by a dragon.” I tried to speak without my voice shaking. “I’m here to speak with the Jarl”. I shifted my legs to keep from looking too nervous. He looked at the other guard and nodded. A loud, low pitched groan pierced the air as the heavy doors shifted.

It seemed brighter in Whiterun, I could hear the sound of a faint flute in the distance, probably coming from a nearby Inn or Pub. In the center stood a large well surrounded by people selling vegetables, cheese, and meat. I the smell of fresh baked bread filled my nose. I couldnt remember the last time I had felt this way. Safe. I walked up a flight of stairs to find a beautiful, crooked, sharp, mass of white branches. It must have been centuries old, the immense, bright white bark looked dead, but the energy around it felt, alive. This city was so peaceful, a stream ran down, around, and under the path.

It felt like an eternity walking up those steps. When I reached the top I took in the view, I could see for miles. I made a mental map of the land. The sun was almost touching the tops of the mountains, there wasn’t much daylight left.

I pushed open the doors with the remaining energy in my body. The hot, stale air hit me like a swift punch. I stood and blinked for a moment while my eyes adjusted to the dim light. I looked at everything, the sharp turns, and gentle waves of the carved wood pillars. I took my helmet off and shook my semi-dry hair, the side braids were still tightly hugging the top half of my hair. There was no need to be self conscious of my looks, racism and hatred for someones looks in which the could not change was not to be stood. The only thing that separates me from other, more average Nords was that I had white hair. My mother told me that I had been born on the coldest day ever in Skyrim, and that it was so cold that my hair turned white as snow. Most races that I knew of had nothing like that in their genes, besides the Khajiits. I looked at my feet while I walked up a small flight of stairs, the wood was worn where other have walked for centuries. I walked past a large fire in the middle of the room, the whole time I stared straight into the fire while I walked, I imagined walking straight into the flames, feeling warm, having the bright orange ribbons hug my skin. “Whats the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Bulgruuf is not taking visitors.” The stern voice startled me out of my dream. I shifted to sturdy myself, my legs were sore and tired from walking all day. I swerved my head around to find myself staring in the face of a Dunmer or Dark Elf woman, she stood tall and proud.“Alvor sent me. Riverwood is in danger.” She lowered her chin slightly, and looked me over. “As housecarl, my job is to deal with all dangers that threaten the Jarl or his people. So you have my attention. Now explain yourself.” I didn’t hesitate to answer this time, “A dragon has destroyed Helgen.” Suddenly a look of concern washed over her powerful expression, she looked at the Jarl, he slightly nodded his head. “You know about Helgen? The Jarl would like to speak to you personally.” I walked up to the Jarl, I tried to hold my head proudly. “So. You were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?” His voice was sincere, yet he slouched in the throne on which he sat. “The Imperials were about to execute Ulfric Stormcloak. Then the dragon attacked.” He looked at his housecarl with a look of unamusement. “I should have guessed Ulfric would be mixed up in all this.” He looked up at the man dressed in expensive blue robes next to him. “What do you say now Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against the dragon?” His tone was slightly sarcastic. “My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It’s in most immediate danger, if the dragon is lurking in the mountains.” The housecarl suggested with a concerned expression. “ The Jarl of Falkreath will view that a provocation! He’ll assume we’re preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him. We should not-” Proventus was near yelling at the housecarl. “Enough! I’ll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people.” The Jarl barked looking irritated, as if he was breaking up a fight between young children. He looked at the housecarl. “Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once.” She once again looked serious and lifted her chin. “Yes, my Jarl.” She quickly glared at Proventus. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll return to my duties” Proventus pinched his eyebrows together in impudence towards Irileth. “That would be best.” The Jarl spoke sternly. He looked up at me and his look softened. “Well done. You sought me out on your own initiative. You’ve done Whiterun a service, and I won’t forget it.” The Jarl picks up a large heavy bundle of metal and leather. He stands up, and holds it out to me. It was steel armor. “Here take this as a small token of my esteem.” He didn’t smile, yet he looked kind, thankful. I looked down at it. It was well made, there were little swirls and crosses on the double-plated shoulder pads. The leather was a beautiful mahogany color. He cleared his voice, my head shot up. “There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone with your particular talents.” He looked around. “Come let’s go find Farengar, my court wizard.” We started to walk to a room on the left side of the fire. “He’s been looking into a matter related to dragons and…” He trails off, and lets out a small sigh.”rumors of dragons.” We walk up to the doorway. The room smelt like spices and must. It was dim accept for the light coming from the candles and a window on the ceiling. There was a tall man dressed in long robes that touched his feet, the hood was up. I could only make out the bottom part of his face from under the hood, But I assumed that he was a High Elf or Altmer.The Jarl lowered his voice “I’ll introduce you to Farengar. he can be a bit…” the Jarl pinched his brow. “difficult. Mages. You know.”

I walked into the room, taking in the lovely, fresh, sweet smell of boiling deathbell. “Come to Dragonsreach to discuss the ongoing hostilities, like the rest of the ‘great warriors’?” I could tell he was being sarcastic. I let out a breath. “The Jarl said you had a project you needed help with.” He raised his head slightly towards me. Though I couldn’t see his eyes, I could tell he was examining my posture, probably to see whether I was nervous or intimidated. “Oh, yes he must be referring to my research into the dragons…” he was whirring around sorting through potions and ingredients, throwing, grinding, and chopping the items. “Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into an dangerous ruin in search of a ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there.” I hesitated, shifted, and watched him pour the final portion into a dark blue bottle and label it. “What does this have to do with dragons?” He smirked. “Ah, no mere brute mercenary - perhaps even a scholar.” He sat down and started taking notes, and listing the ingredients he had used for the potion. “You see, when the stories of dragons started to circulate, many dismissed them as mere fantasies, rumors. Impossibilities. One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls out of his experience as being impossible. But I began to search for information about dragons - where had they gone all those years ago? And where are they coming from?” I walked in front of the table he was working at. I cleared my throat and tilted my head. He was deep into thought on his work. I leaned on the heavy table so that my swords made a loud crack. He didn’t move. I was beginning to feel impatient. “So what do you need me to do?” My voice was loud and stern, but not shouting. “I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow - a “Dragonstone”, said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet - no doubt interred in the main chamber - and bring it to me. Simplicity itself.” I nodded my head at the Mage. The Jarl had been sitting in a chair in a far corner drinking mead. He cleared his throat. “Succeed in this and you’ll be rewarded. Whiterun will be in your debt.” He watched me as I walked out of the room.

It was dark when I opened the doors to leave Dragonsreach. The sky was dusted with stars. I was warm out, there was no wind, even thought I was on top of a mountain. When I got to the Inn I felt like I would collapse at any moment. I looked around the room for the woman, I assume, owns the tavern. I spotted her in the far corner, serving mead to two men at the bar. “Welcome, would you like to rent a room?” I looked up and nodded, worrying that my voice would crack.