Of Legends

by SolarisAce

The Dragonborn is missing, and in his place is a bard obsessed with his legend. And he meets the vampire daughter of an egotistical warlord, who has a dark plan. The bard must write his own tale and dig up the legends of the Dragonborn-but they may be closer than anyone suspects. OC / Serana Fanfic, rated M for language, violence and suggestive situations.

1. Prologue

Four years ago, the World-Eater himself was defeated at the hands of the last Dragonborn who became known as the greatest hero of this era; a song was dedicated to him: "Tale of the Tongues". And yet, though he was revered by many in Skyrim, he was hated by countless more; mere months after Alduin's demise, he vanished without a trace.

Rumors abound as to what became of him: some say he died, lost in the wilds of Skyrim—the rumor in itself is an absurd prospect. Others say he left the province for Morrowind, High Rock, or Hammerfell—perhaps even Solstheim to live among the Skaal. Still others say he wanders Skyrim under an entirely different name, weary of a world that no longer makes sense of him.

Whatever rumors may entertain, one thing is certain: the Dragonborn has not been seen in over four years now. His name and title are remembered, but his face has been forgotten by all…save for those who knew him best.

My name is Snorri…I'm a bard.

For the few years since the Dragonborn disappeared, I've been wandering Skyrim and gathering together tales of his lesser known acts and taking measure of the land. Everyone knows of his defeating Alduin, but what they seem to forget is that he was a mortal man. He was never a god, nor had he considered himself akin to one.

Those who revere him have called him the Hero, the Intrepid, the chosen of Akatosh, and the Champion of all Mortals. Those who hate him have called him the Murderer, the Traitor, the Mongrel, and the Bootlicker. Everyone knows him as the Shadow…

It was by his sword that the civil war here in Skyrim ended, and Ulfric Stormcloak lay dead when the Dragonborn pierced his heart. The Stormcloaks that survived have called him the "Bane of Skyrim" and accused him of keeping Skyrim under the oppression of a dying Empire and the elves.

The full truth is somewhere in the middle, and probably closer than anyone suspects.

Tharsten the Exile…Dragonborn, Arch-mage, Nightingale… Titles are titles, but the man himself is a different story. I wish to record his smaller acts, lest they be eclipsed by his legend.

I shall follow his deeds to tell the story of who he was…