Jordis Sword-Maiden's Journal

Author note: Here goes, first fic! At first this was a bit of an experiment on my part - to tell parts of Dovahkiin's story from outside points of view. Later bits will include POV from Our Hero (I do like my Dovahkiin), and be in third person. Bethesda ... you rock. Thank you for this marvelous playground! (Alas! 'section' breaks are very challenging.)

An interesting newcomer at Court today. We do not see many Dark Elves in Solitude. 'Ashborn' indeed, though Elisif would be mortified if I said that aloud. I might have thought that hawkish, angular face handsome, if as haughtily aloof as any mer. But he's GRAY, hair and skin both, and those red eyes give me the shivers. A dandy like all the others with his lofty manners and oddly resonant voice, it seems, asking Elisif what she thinks of his outfit. He likely padded the shoulders.

Short, too – no taller than I am, maybe a bit shorter. She did say later that he was very kind when he asked about Torygg. But who has a Khajiit following him about?

No matter. Beirand has finished making my new sword! I have to go pick it up from him, and show that Ivarus Etius up at Castle Dour a true daughter of Skyrim. He's cute, for an Imperial. And I wonder if Mrs Morrard would show me a bit more about Alchemy?

** (a day or two later)

Wolfskull Cave. We all thought Varnius Junius was full of the usual superstitious nonsense. Necromancers, trying to resurrect Potema! Perhaps this Dark Elf is not the dandy he first appeared; he seemed no worse for the experience. This time, though he had thoughtfully disarmed himself (his follower did not, but what can you expect of a Khajiit?) and a sparkling circlet replaced his helmet, he wore a fancy set of Elven armour. It looks right on him, as Taarie's creation had not. Still cannot get used to red eyes, and I'm still sure he's got padding in there to make him look bigger.

He also addressed himself to Elisif first, before speaking to Falk. A nice touch. Martyn Alandu is his name. Pretty common name for Imperials these days, Martin, I've met three; but never seen a mer with it. Apparently managed to impress Balgruuf, though.

And not in the slightest concerned with Erikur's opinion of himself. That just about made me giggle. Erikur cornered him about his credentials or some such nonsense, to be wonderfully taken aback that Sera Alandu (I think that's how the Dark Elves say it) is Thane of Whiterun. Guess it isn't surprising, Balgruuf's already got one Dark Elf.

** (the next day)

There was a dragon attack between here and Dragon Bridge. They say Thane Martyn not only killed the thing, but absorbed its soul. THAT is the Dragonborn? I saw the dragon's bones; Ivarus and I went out to help with the cleanup. It was huge! Where the flesh and scales went I can't say. There were burned bushes all over, and even scorch marks halfway up the cliffs. Ivarus doesn't for a minute believe that a mer can be Dragonborn; only the Imperials, he says, as if Talos wasn't a Nord at all. I will be certain to take that out of his hide – and tickle his bare knees – next time he starts grousing about the cold.

I heard Sybille Stentor telling Elisif that Thane Martyn is a Mage, if only an Apprentice. So he was not unarmed at all. And he cannot be completely DIS-armed wherever he goes, unless they bind and gag him. If he is Dragonborn, he could do what Ulfric did. Elisif is not afraid of him; but we will be watching, next time he is in Solitude. That said, that he's a Dark Elf must be giving Ulfric Stormcloak fits.

** (some weeks later)

Well, and it seems I'll be getting to know Thane Martyn better now; he's Thane of Haafingar, as well as Whiterun. And Hjaalmarch. I've been appointed his housecarl! He's bought Proudspire Manor, too. It's a beautiful place, or will be once I've gotten the cobwebs cleared out.

It's odd. I'm going between pride and delight that Elisif thinks so highly of me, to annoyance that I'm going to be cleaning and cooking for a man. This is one reason I thought to become a warrior, after all. I hate it. Still, a great honour and I'll just have to think of it as such. I do hope Thane Martyn will take me out adventuring; he still has that Khajiit following him.

I miss Ivarus. They sent him to Falkreath, of all places, with a dour shrew of a Captain who had half her face burned off at Helgen. They call her a hero, but...

** (a bit later)

Kharjo is the Khajiit; he's actually really funny, and good with a blade. Who knew? He tells fascinating stories, too. And leaves shed fur all over the house.

Thane Martyn is a mystery. He has the manners of a nobleman. His accent is pure Cyrodiil, Ivarus told me, not a trace of Morrowind there. A nobleman's stern demeanour, also. Sure is quiet about himself, I hardly know anything about him.

He'll come home, usually plodding under the weight of all the gear he's looted, drop some of it off and offer me my pick of it – very nice of him, I'll admit – and then go upstairs and fall into bed. Then he'll be off the next morning, sometimes even before I'm up, and I won't see him for several weeks.

Giraud Gemane over at the College calls him 'doom-driven.' Maybe that's it.

(I switched after this point to third-person; it just seemed to flow better. Please tell me what you think!)