SIL KOTIN WUTH
(soul into old)
Summary: The one in which the Dovahkiin goes back in time.
May or may not be continued.
Idunn found the first Word of Power west of Solitude. The ancient burial site was not much different than all the others; numerous draugr, long, dark hallways, the occasional skeleton which fancied itself the stuff of nightmares, that sort of thing. There wasn't even an awkward ghost lying around waiting for someone to tell its story to. As far as burial sites went, it was pretty much a disappointment.
Not even the resident dragon priest, Tiid, had put up much of a fight – he had just stood there staring at her as she hacked at him with the Dawnbreaker. At one point she might have even heard him laugh, but in all honesty, it was late and she was tired, and so it might have been just her imagination.
Idunn picked up his mask, even, which was in design similar to Morokei but its enchantments were crap, giving her a 5% faster Shout recovery time – basically worthless, since Ulfric Stormcloak's amulet of Talos did just fine with 20% - but she'd made a vow to herself to gather all the masks and hang them on a wall especially designed in her house in Riften. They freaked Iona out, but that was Iona's problem anyway.
There was, of course, a Word Wall there (which was basically why Idunn still bothered with the damn caves and burial sites and the damned draugr) which whispered to her until she got close enough to learn the word sil.
On her way out of the burial site (the usual hidden back door crap) she stuffed Tiid in between the daft brown dragon's rib and hipbone that attacked her on her way from Whiterun and used its soul to unlock her new Shout. As soon as she stepped out on grass (albeit snowy grass), she drew in a breath and released her newly-learnt Shout to test it out.
She was remarkably disappointed. It had basically done nothing. At all. Much like what happened when she tried summoning Durnehviir on anything but solid ground.
Her Shout had misfired.
Dejected, Idunn frowned and began making her way to Solitude to leave her extra dragon bones at home. Her backpack was so heavy if she picked up a single flower she might be so weighed down her walk would be slower. And she'd need all of her speed to go up to visit the Greybeards.
Every time she'd hiked up to High Hrothgar, Idunn found a Frost Troll just sitting in the way, leisurely chewing on his own brains or something – and however often she tried to kill it – and however often she succeeded – the fucker still returned to stare at her with those beady eyes and judge her.
She'd actually taken to giving it names.
"Greetings, Sir Fuckface," Idunn greeted politely, unassumingly starting up a fireball spell in one hand and healing in the other. "You look dashing today."
"Grurrr," the Frost Troll replied, jumping up and down.
"Mmm, yes, the weather is lovely up here," Idunn told him, switching up from fireball to fire atronach. Her magicka was low and she felt like watching someone else do her work for her.
As if hearing her thoughts, her summoned atronach shot her a dirty look before elegantly turning away to kill the troll.
"I love how graceful you always are, no matter what," Idunn said, putting her spells away as the atronach was finished. "I always think of you whenever I manage to fall up a mountain."
Her atronach shot her a look that clearly said, 'I am superior bow before me'.
"If you were really alive I bet you'd be Altmer," Idunn told her atronach just before it disappeared, not before shooting her one more dry, unimpressed stare.
Shouldering her backpack once more (which was once again nearing its carrying capacity from all the flowers she'd picked), Idunn resumed her long hike to Hrothgar, often glancing up just to see if she could spot Paarthurnax (a game she often liked to play).
As she pushed open the heavy gates of Hrothgar, Idunn stepped inside and closed them, attempting to be quiet. However, the heavy, largely unused steel doors were not used to movement and so they creaked like a goddamn –
Borri was there, looking at her, so it would really not do to start swearing at the tall doors. Instead, she carefully slammed them shut and turned around the fully face the Greybeard, smiling. "Hello, Master Borri!"
Borri inclined his head and muttered Dovahkiin loud enough to make a bit of stone fall off the ceiling. In return, Idunn asked, "Master Arngeir?"
Borri did not speak again, as was wise, but instead settled down in the middle of the entrance chamber, pointing towards their sleeping quarters. Half hoping for him to also say Arngeir sleepy and in doing so collapse the entirety of Hrothgar, Idunn thanked him and bounded cheerfully away, coming to a stop in front of Arngeir's prone sleeping body. On the bed next to his stood Wulfgar, staring at her with what looked like dread in his eyes.
"Dovahkiin," Wulfgar half-greeted, half-warned her.
"Master Wulfgar," Idunn chirped back at him. "May I just say that you look absolutely fantastic today."
Unimpressed, Wulfgar began walking away.
"You've really kept your figure!"
If he'd been a lesser man, Idunn was sure he'd have flipped her the bird. Instead, he simply walked away, his only gesture being a silent plea to not scare Arngeir awake.
Idunn decided she'd respect his plea. Another time. Which is why she then proceeded to grab a master of the Voice by the shoulders and started violently shaking him awake.
Arngeir inhaled sharply, opened his eyes – full of panic – and released his breath in a quick fus ro dah which flew harmlessly by her thanks to a quick dodge.
"Now that's no way to greet guests," Idunn said, pulling her hands off him and crossing them over her chest. Arngeir, tired and confused, looked at her for a minute before his eyes cleared.
"Dovahkiin… you should not have woken me so abruptly," Arngeir advised.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure Master Wulfgar tried warning me away but I pretty much do whatever I want these days," Idunn shrugged. "I'm basically the leader of everything in Skyrim right now, and even though I'm not queen I could basically control everything."
"Fascinating," Arngeir deadpanned.
"I know right," Idunn said.
"Do not mistake my curiosity for… rudeness," Arngeir said. "But you have not come up to High Hrothgar in a long time."
"Well I've been busy, solving the civil war, being the Thieves Guildmaster, being the Dark Brotherhood's listener, becoming the Arch-Mage of Winterhold, defeating Miraak –"
"Dovahkiin."
"And then I became a Thane of all holds and helped restore Windhelm to its former glory –"
"Dovahkiin," Arngeir interrupted once more. "You have been busy and it is perfectly understandable, but why are you here?"
Idunn went perfectly still and eyed Arngeir dubiously. "I have the feeling you think I've been hanging out with the Blades."
Arngeir said nothing, just kept looking at her.
"I haven't," she told him. "They asked me to do something I certainly don't want to do."
"May I ask what?" Arngeir asked, curiously.
"They wanted me to kill Paarthurnax."
Arngeir went pale.
"Don't worry," Idunn said. "I won't. He's the best dragon there is – he's even better than a majority of humans."
Arngeir released a shaky breath, trembling a bit in shock.
"And when Delphine insisted-" Idunn continued.
"Dovahkiin, you are wise for not following their advice."
"It was more like an order," Idunn shrugged. "But they're supposed to be my bitches and so when Delphine insisted I left and returned only to steal all their sweet rolls. Delphine does love her sugary treats."
Arngeir had to struggle not to smile at the Dragonborn's antics. "Still. We thank you, Dovahkiin."
Idunn waved him off. "It's no big deal. Paarthurnax has helped me so much it's only fitting I don't kill him in return."
Arngeir nodded in assent.
"Anyway," Idunn continued. "I found a Word of Power that doesn't work the way it's supposed to."
"Demonstrate it for me," Arngeir said, stepping into teacher mode. The two stepped out in the Hrothgar courtyard where Idunn obediently (for once) did as she was told. The Shout had the same effect – namely none.
"Curious," Arngeir muttered. "Sil. I shall meditate on it. Perhaps you should also ask Paarthurnax?"
Idunn nodded. "Yes, I've thought of that."
"Then, wind guide you, dovahkiin," Arngeir said as he stepped back into the monastery, leaving her outside to scale the remaining mountain.
Getting ready to use Clear Skies repeatedly, Idunn began making her way up the steep slopes, occasionally wondering if that's how the Greybeards kept in shape, by making the dangerous climb on a regular basis. As she reached the top, however, she banished that thought, coming to a stop in front of the large dragon that occupied the Throat of the World.
"Hello, Paarthurnax," she said, smiling wide.
"Drem Yol Lok, Dovahkiin," Paarthurnax replied pleasantly. "Have you come to tinvaak with an old dovah?"
Idunn clicked her tongue. "Not today, apologies, Paarthurnax," she told the white dragon who inclined his head towards her. "I've actually come across a strange Word of Power, and Master Arngeir suggested –"
She was interrupted by the arrival of another dragon, this time red.
Idunn blinked. "Odahviing?"
"Drem Yol Lok," Odahviing said, balancing on his legs and wings.
"I wasn't aware that you hung out here," Idunn told him, confused.
"I enjoy bothering Paarthurnax," Odahviing replied, nonplussed. "He has been solitary for far too long and I wish to remind him why he chose to be so."
Paarthurnax rolled his eyes, seemingly unamused.
"Wow," Idunn said, "That's a pastime that I can respect."
Odahviing, judged by the nod of his head, seemed to agree.
"Anyway," Idunn continued, looking at Paarthurnax once more, "Master Arngeir suggested I consult you about this Word of Power. Sil!"
As it fizzled into nothing, both dragons were looking on curiously, and more than intrigued. "Strange," Paarthurnax said, "I have not encountered such a reaction before."
"Neither have I," Idunn said, "Save for when I summon Durnehviir, but the surroundings aren't acceptable. And even then I just have to reposition myself and try again."
"Sil," Odahviing said, reflecting. "Soul – do you know where the locations of the rest of the Shout are?"
"No, but I can look for them," Idunn said. "Why? Do you know what it is?"
Odahviing visibly hesitated. "Perhaps. Or perhaps not. I cannot be certain. If it is what I think it is, then you will find the rest of the Shout south of… Falkreath, and the other hidden in a tomb next to Morthal. Until then I cannot say."
Idunn blinked. "Well, that's more then I expected to find out."
"If you do find the rest of the Shout, it would be wise to not use it, dovahkiin," Paarthurnax advised, ignoring Odahviing as the latter surreptitiously poked him with his claw.
"Yes, that would be smart," Idunn said, glancing at the red dragon who amused himself by poking Paarthurnax in the back.
"How mature," Paarthurnax shot at Odahviing.
"Your reactions amuse me," Odahviing replied, maw stretched in what could only be described as a shit-eating grin.
"Well, I'll just leave you two to it," Idunn offered, backing away. "I'll return when I have news."
"Safe travels,' Paarthurnax told her, facing Odahviing and glaring at him.
Odahviing rolled his eyes, wished her luck as well, before taking flight.
With the locations in mind, the Words were easy to find, laughably so in fact. Kotin and Wuth made up the remaining Shout, and so it was with them in mind that Idunn returned to the two dragons of the Throat of the World.
Disappointingly, the two were not bickering (as in, Odahviing was not actively trying to annoy Paarthurnax) – both of them were just sitting where she left them, with Odahviing curled up, seemingly sleeping, and Paarthurnax relaxing on the Word Wall.
"Drem Yol Lok," Paarthurnax greeted, more relaxed than he had been last time, now that he did not have a sharp claw constantly prodding at his back.
"Hi," Idunn replied.
"Did you find the Words?" Odahviing asked, raising his head from his fake slumber.
Taken aback by his straight-forwardness, Idunn nodded, hesitantly. "I – yes, they were where you said they would be."
The lines of Odahviing's maw grew tense, and he glanced at Paarthurnax, who was looking at him in curious concern. "What are they?"
"Kotin and Wuth," Idunn said.
Eyes narrowed, Odahviing stood up on his legs and balanced himself on his wings, preparing to speak. "Sil Kotin Wuth," he muttered, tasting the words on his tongue.
"Do you know what they do?" Idunn asked, truly intrigued. "I can't really figure it out from their literal meaning."
"Sil. Soul. The essence of any being alive," Paarthurnax said quietly to himself. "Kotin. Into. Indicates a route to a particular destination." The white dragon's eyes narrowed. "Wuth. Old. Belonging to the past; former."
"Have you figured it out?" Odahviing asked Paarthurnax, voice lower than usual.
Paarthurnax leveled a stare at the other dragon. "It cannot be."
"It is."
"What?" Idunn asked, beyond confused. "Hey! I want to know too!"
Odahviing looked at her again, and sighed. "I know what this shout does, for I have been there since its beginnings," he began explaining. "After Paarthurnax's betrayal of Alduin, the World-Eater had become… obsessed, with winning the war against the joor, who were quickly gaining advantage due to increasing numbers and rudimentary grasp of the Voice." At that, Odahviing glanced at Paarthurnax, who lowly replied, "Had I not done it, what would have happened?"
Choosing to ignore the elder dragon, Odahviing continued. "Alduin wanted to know of the future. He wished to know things before they happened, so he could plan accordingly."
"But that's impossible," Idunn argued. "Nor do the words suggest that."
"Patience, dovahkiin," Odahviing told her. "That was when Miraak, the First Dragonborn, and Alduin's most trusted dragon priest came up with a brilliant plan – instead of looking towards the future, to look to the past.
"Unfortunately for Alduin, Miraak defected as well before his ideas could be fully put into shape, and the World-Eater was later himself defeated – or, at least, stalled, and so it was never completed in time.
"But the seed of knowledge have been planted, it seems," Odahviing said. "The dovah remaining sought to make it happen – a way of opening the knowledge of the future by looking into the past."
As the red dragon finished his tale, a quiet ensued, each of them processing the information.
"…So what does it do?" Idunn asked.
"You are a bit slow on the uptake," Paarthurnax observed.
Idunn shot him a dirty look. "I do have something in mind, but it just seems so far-fetched and incredible that I can't believe it myself."
"If you are thinking about time travel, then you would be correct," Odahviing said, waving his tail idly. "The dovah are very time oriented creatures."
"It sort of sounds like you're good at time management," Idunn replied, still processing the information. "When you say time travel-"
"Think, dovahkiin," Paarthurnax interrupted. "Sil. Soul. Kotin. Into. Wuth. Old. Soul into old."
"…your soul is propelled into the past?" Idunn guessed, grimacing.
"It would seem so," Odahviing agreed, glancing at Paarthurnax.
"But… can you choose the moment of return to the past? And can you move back forward?" Idunn asked quickly, overwhelmed by the possibilities of time travel.
"No, I do not think so," Odahviing replied, pensive. "However, the Shout seems to have unlimited uses – thus enabling the user to move back multiple times."
"Why have the dovah not used it?" Idunn asked suddenly. "I mean – they could preempt the war! And win, and Alduin would still be alive and the dragons would be in charge!"
"This Shout was created by three different dovah," Odahviing explained, "and thus the three different Word Walls. After Alduin's fall, the dovah disappeared altogether – and the Shout was never united."
"Surely you do not think of using it, dovahkiin," Paarthurnax interjected. "Without a reason, it would be a waste."
"I have plenty reason," Idunn argued. "I could save Kodlak, and maybe even go to Solstheim without Miraak's express invitation, and – oh Divines, I could become High Queen if I play my cards right." Her eyes were alight. "And I'd make Ulfric Stormcloak my second in command just to screw with his head."
"I do not know any of these names," Paarthurnax replied. "But if you truly do wish it, then I cannot stop you."
"You would have to defeat Alduin once more," Odahviing told her.
"Now that I know how to go about doing it, it should be a big deal," Idunn said. "I'll just call you right away and you'll come to fly me to Alduin's portal."
Rolling his eyes, Odahviing kept quiet. "I'll do it," Idunn decided. "I don't have any children or a family of my own to leave behind and whenever I look at Elisif, sweet woman she is, be High Queen I get sick because to be honest, she sucks at being Queen."
"Wind guide you then, dovahkiin," Paarthurnax wished quietly.
"Good luck," Odahviing said as well.
Idunn smiled and took in a deep breath. "Sil Kotin Wuth!"