Author's Note:
Hello and welcome to my first Skyrim fanfiction! I hope that you enjoy it, and please leave me a review if you have time to let me know what you would like to improve in the story – or you know, leaving praise is nice too ;D
I don't own Skyrim, only my OC. A big thank you to my beta nefieslab for reading through the chapter for me :D
Today began like any other day in the city of Windhelm. Stench of rotten fish and damp wood seeps through the walls of the city, giving the customary wake up call to the residents who have no doubt become so accustomed to it they barely realise there is any scent at all. Icy blasts of wind chill those brave enough to venture out in the early morn, the air in the city not yet warmed by the hustle and bustle of those going about their business.
Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak sits upon his throne in the Palace of Kings, ready for another day where his Stormcloak brothers and sisters would fall to the swords of Imperial men, but ready to take another step forwards in winning the war despite the losses that would occur. It is the only way to make sure that the land of Skyrim would be free from the clutches of the Empire once more. Those who fight for him know the risks, they go willingly to fight for the independence of their nation. At least, this is what he reminds himself every morning – despite knowing that his path is the right one, sending brothers and sisters in arms to their deaths weighs heavily on his mind.
Left to dwell in his thoughts, at least until Galmar woke, Ulfric set his steel gaze on the long table in front of his throne and waited. He can tell that there is something in the air this morning. It creeps along like a treacherous smog, making a weight on his chest that even the deepest of breath cannot clear. This feeling could only signal one thing to the Stormcloak leader and it lead to him ordering the guard around the town to be doubled for the duration of today. If the Imperials were going to attack, which if this sensation was correct – they would, Ulfric would be ready for them. Smirking confidently, trusting in the gut feeling he had, Ulfric sprawls his legs upon the steps around his throne and feels ready to face the day.
The only one now ready to face the day is not only Ulfric, but the majority of Windhelm – including Almili Redril. After bathing and brushing her hair, putting on her day dress and eating her breakfast the Dunmer was ready to set about buying a few things from Sadri's Used Wares. As she slipped her cloak onto her shoulders to shield her somewhat from the winters chill, she rolls her eyes and trudges back to her strongbox. Yet again she'd almost left home without her necklace, Alimili found that she gets a much fairer bargain whenever she wears it. Very useful when you were going shopping. Gently she tugs the handle of her front door open, and braces herself against the cool breeze that hit her as she steps outside, with a swift turn of her key the door is locked and she steps out onto the pathway leading her to Sadri's shop.
Frowning softly, Alimili looks up into the misty white sky and hums. There was something off today and she couldn't put her finger on what it is, perhaps she forgot something she was supposed to do? It wouldn't surprise her – Dondal always told her that she would forget her ears if they weren't attached. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she wanders down the street, nodding her head at a few acquaintances as they passed. Alimili's time at the New Gnisis Cornerclub meant she got to know a fair few of the residents around Windhelm.
Approaching the shop, she smiles slightly wider as she enters at the sight of her friend Sadri. She came here every week to buy a few supplies, and even on occasion a few treats for herself so they had gotten to know each other pretty well.
"Hello again Alimili, a pleasure to see you as always." He states with a small smirk.
"Nice to see you too Sadri." She grins back, placing her little wicker basket on the counter top, while removing her list to see what she needed to buy "Are you keeping well?"
"Can't complain, what can I get you this time around?" Sadri asks with a melodic hum to his voice.
"Well I need a common sou-"
Unable to finish her sentence, Alimili's jaw pops open and her eyes involuntary widen. There had been the most horrible sound, like a rush of wind only much more powerful, much more concentrated followed by a roaring sound. Both of the elves could hear rushing feet and screams. This is enough for Sadri to begin gathering up whatever money and jewels he has lying about in case the Imperials have finally come to attack Windhelm – he did not want to lose what little money he has left. A deafening roar pierces the air and Alimili jumps, knocked from her shock by the sound. She needs to get out of here, they both do!
"Come on Alimili, the Imperials must be storming the city, we need to get out of here." Sadri stated firmly, gripping her hand and keeping her in tow with him while this situation continued. Leaving her in his shop when whatever is happening outside was a danger to her is not an option.
The door to the shop was flung open and both elves stepped out onto the scene. What meets their eyes is utter devastation.
The Grey Quarter…engulfed in flames.
Alimili frantically looks back the way she came, deeper into the district to see if she can catch a glimpse of her own home, to see whether it too is caught in the blaze but the smoke plumed in front of her vision and before she could look once more, Sadri whisked her further out of danger.
All around her Dunmer ran screaming from the flames as they jumped and rushed from building to building, there were a few men trying to quench the thirst of the flames but to no avail. Their efforts seem only to be squashed a few moments later, when the breeze carries the fire over to another building. The whole quarter would be decimated if they didn't receive any help. Where were the guards? Alimili knew that Nords had a hatred of elves, simply because of the Thalmor Embassy but, she did not know that they would merely stand by and watch as the Grey Quarter burns to cinders.
She can hear the cries for help from some of the houses, there were still people trapped inside! There has to be something that she could do to rescue them, she could not just stand by and let them die. Alimili attempts to pull her hand from Sadri's grasp, but the frantic look in his eyes strikes deep within her.
"There's nothing we can do." He cries over the roar of the flames "We have to get to safety."
"But…the peopl-"
"There is nothing we can do Alimili!" Sadri bellows "Now come with me!"
Continuing to run up to the Stone Quarter, clashes of metal on bone and such a fierce roar could be heard more clearly. What in the name of the eight is this? As both of the elves emerged onto the scene, Alimili's eyes took in one of the most beautiful things that she could recall seeing in her twenty years on Nirn.
A real, live, dragon.
Right smack dab in the middle of the entrance way to Windhelm, exactly how she had imagined they would look – filled with such a raw power it amazes her to see. A glimmer forms in her eyes as she continues to be captivated by the creature, but the way in which the guards hack and stab at it makes it disappear. Of course, it has to die. It had destroyed her home, and the rest of the Grey Quarter along with it. It just seems, too horrible a thing for her to ever have to watch.
Amongst those fighting, she could see Jarl Ulfric. A part of her couldn't believe that he would come out of the safety of the Palace of the Kings in order to protect the city of Windhelm after all the things that her Dunmer kin had been saying about him. Maybe they were wrong, are wrong. Would he be out here risking his life if he did not care for all in his city? Sadri deems it wise, no matter how enthralled Alimili seems to be by the dragon, that they should seek refuge behind a large stone wall from the flames. Moving with him, as if in a daze, Alimili places a hand over her chest just to feel the violent pulses of her heart, ripe with exhilaration. The roars and bellows of the dragon seem to speak to her, and on some level, she could sense the emotion behind those sounds – of course, the thought is ridiculous, merely the products of too much adrenaline flooding her system.
"Alimili? Are you quite alright? There's no need to be afraid, the guards have almost killed the beast." Sadri reassured, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Whipping her head around to almost glare at Sadri for daring to say such a thing, Alimili realises her mistake and immediately softens her gaze. Why did she feel such an admiration to the winged creature? Surely the guards, Sadri or the Jarl do not think of it as a beautiful creature but she does, for a reason lost upon her.
"I am not afraid." She murmurs in reply, her features quite calm and her voice sedate despite the sounds of hacking and slashing from just around the corner.
"Indeed it seems not." He smirked, sometimes he found himself at a loss when it came to this woman, by rights any female, any male for that matter would be terrified when coming face to face with a dragon but not her.
Eventually there came a thunderous roar, and the heat in the air around the Stone Quarter lessened, the thick steam coming from the fight began to dissipate until it became safe enough for Sadri and Alimili to creep around the corner to see what had become of the dragon. Bodies litter the ground, burnt, charred, the metal of their armour melted onto their forms the heat of the dragon had been that great. The Jarl stood panting, red of face, and shaking from exertion but very much alive which made the people cheer.
Something happened then, that nobody could expect. A white light glows around the corpse of the dragon, a sound like the rushing of the wind filled the courtyard as the mysterious white light lifts from the deceased dragon and rushes toward…Alimilli. Her eyes grow wide with fright as the unknown force buffets into her, but as her eyes close and a sensation of warmth fills her body she feels that sensation of admiration, of beauty and strangely…of kinship that she had felt when she had watched the fight between the dragon and the guards. Although not understood, the feeling running through her amazes her, yet all too soon the light fades completely, and so do the emotions that flooded with it. Fluttering her eyes open, Alimili could see that the whole squares eyes are upon her, the ice cool gaze of the Jarl too, and she takes the only course of action she thinks she should in that situation.
She runs.
Alimili thought for sure that she would be kidnapped by the Thalmor for questioning about such strange behaviour, either that or the Jarl would keep her in the Palace forever until she agreed to become some sort of warrior for the Stormcloak cause. Her, become a warrior? She thinks with a scoff, true Alimili is no stranger to a bow or dagger but holding a war axe charging into battle? Such a thing is beyond her. What frightened her to the core though, is the idea that they might capture her…and set her to kill other dragons. It was upsetting enough to watch the guards end the life of one of those creatures but to do it herself? Despite not having the skill, she also does not have the temperament.
Before she can even reach the end of the bridge leading into Windhelm Alimili is halted by the guards, apparently Jarl Ulfric calls for her presence in the Palace of Kings. Gulping softly she closes her eyes and casts them down to the floor as she is marched back into the city. Murmurs erupt all around her and she dares to move her gaze from the cobbled floor.
'Could it be?'
'No she can't be…'
'You saw what happened, she absorbed its soul!'
'I thought they had to be male…and a Nord.'
What on earth were they talking about? She asks herself, what did they think she was? Fortunately she manages to catch Sadri's gaze which despite being somewhat strained, sends a reassuring sort of smile her way and mouths;
'It's alright.'
Slowly, Alimili shuffles into the Palace of the Kings, her heart thrumming with anxiety as she is left in front of the throne. Jarl Ulfric sits straight upon the chair for a change, and steeples his fingers when he sees her approach. This is most unusual, for he like all of the others in the city thought that if this day, if this person, were to come, they would be male, and they would be a Nord. How could this tiny slip of a Dunmer possibly be them? The nerves are showing on her face even now, she would surely run like a helpless rabbit if she ever fights a dragon for herself.
"Relax woman. Tell me what is your name?" he asks in his typical, gruff manner.
"I am Alimili Redril, my Jarl."
"Do you know why you are here, Redril?"
"N-no sir I confess I do not."
"Do you not know what it was that occurred to you mere minutes ago?" Ulfric asks harshly, his anger growing at the ignorance she has of the situation "You absorbed a dragons soul."
"What?" she gulped, of course she heard tales in her youth of people who could do this, those blessed by the Divine Akatosh but…that she would ever actually be.
"You are dragonborn." The Jarl states, his tone resolute, his gaze unwavering, and at this moment, they both know that the whole province of Skyrim is about to be shaken to its core.