Roran walked up the several steps to Dragonsreach. A guard on his way down stepped aside as he passed.
Word must travel fast, thought Roran.
He had just killed a dragon with the Jarls housecarl and some guards out at the Western watchtower and had absorbed some kind of energy from the dead dragon. The guards had taken to calling him Dragonborn, but he wasn't too sure if he should jump to conclusions like them. He couldn't explain the energy, but he was no mage. As far as he knew, it was normal for all dragon slayers to absorb some kind of energy. He was closest to the dragon when it died, perhaps why he got the power. But then there was that shout... the raw power in one word he spoke without really even trying...Roran shook his head. He could figure it out later and had more pressing matters at hand. He had to report to the Jarl, and then find some new armor. As Roran reached the top of the stairs he took a breath and looked behind him. He could see the entire city below him and everyone going about their business.
DO-VAH-KIIN!
A guard near him looked over at him expectantly.
Well. I guess that rules out everything. I really am...Dragonborn.
As he walked towards Dragonsreach, a pair of guards opened the doors for him. He nodded to them and continued on inside.
Balgruuf was fairly certain many, if not all his men would die at the watchtower. He was surprised when Roran, the Nord from Helgen, walked up the steps.
"Ah good, your back. What news do you bring from the watchtower?" asked Jarl Balgruuf.
Roran could see the surprise in the Jarls eyes, but couldn't tell if he saw relief or fear on his body.
"When we arrived, the tower was completely destroyed. There was a lone survivor, but we didnt have much time to discuss the attack. The dragon was on us almost instantly. Your men fought valiantly and some died bravely. In the end we defeated it and I absorbed some kind of power from it. Your men have taken to calling me 'Dragonborn'." explained Roran.
"Dragonborn? What do you know about the Dragonborn?" asked the Jarl.
"When it died, I absorbed some kind of power from it." replied Roran.
"So its true. The Greybeards really were summoning you."
"Aye." said Roran "I made the same conclusion when they shouted."
The Jarl went on about explaining the Greybeards and the role of the Dragonborn with the people nearby for quite some time.
"My apologies Roran, but as a Nord you must understand how long its been since something like this happened."
Roran nodded, still not entirely believing it himself.
"For saving my people and for being Whiteruns savior, I use my power as Jarl to make you thane of Whiterun. Its the highest possible honor within my power to grant." Exclaimed Balgruuf.
Roran was shocked. Being thane could hold an untold amount of perks he might use. But also because this was one of the highest things he had ever achieved in Skyrim...yet. He knew if he truly was Dragonborn, there was bound to be more adventures ahead.
"Thank you my Jarl, I am honored to be your thane." responded Roran.
"Ah, but that's not all. I will assign you Lydia as a personal housecarl, and you may head down to the armory to choose a weapon to show as your badge of office. It will take half a day for Lydia to be prepared and suited up to leave with you, if waiting is not a problem for you."
"Of course not my Jarl, I was planning on staying the night at the Bannered Mare regardless." said Roran.
"Very good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go congratulate the men on their success."
Roran bowed and walked towards the Dragonsreach doors. His head was swimming with thoughts. He was Dragonborn, he very well could be the most important person in Skyrim. On top of that, he now was thane of a large city and would have a personal housecarl. Lydia... at least it sounded good to the ear.
Roran wandered around the city and quickly became amused at how peoples moods changed towards him. When he first showed up, the guards treated him like a nobody, and told him to keep out of their way. Now they acted respectfully towards him and stayed out of his way. He made his way over to a blacksmith shop where a woman was beating away at a molten piece of steel.
"Need any help?" Asked Roran.
The woman looked up from her work and quickly looked him over.
"It depends. I cant pay you for your work, and you need to be able to make a decent blade" replied the woman.
"Well you have your man. I'm Roran." Roran held out his hand.
She took his hand and shook. "Adrianne."
"I have some materials with me to make you some Orcish weapons, in return I would only request the materials to make a full set of steel plate armor. If thats enough." Said Roran.
Adrianne considered it for a moment. She looked at Roran and saw his current iron band armor was unusable in its current condition. The iron was torn in several places and he was missing a gauntlet. A greatsword and some axes could cover steel plate materials.
"Alright, you have yourself a deal. Craft an Orcish greatsword and a couple of war axes and ill provide the materials for the steel plate armor."
Roran nodded and got out the materials he would need.
I have just enough ingots to make those. Good thing I stopped by that bandit hole on the way back from bleak falls barrow.
Roran began crafting the Orcish weapons, a hard task for a Nord. But he was a good blacksmith and he could craft them and his armor before sundown. His thoughts began wandering about his future as he began the challenging yet fun work of smithing fine weapons.
Lydia was laying on her bed in the guard barracks. All around her the guards were furiously talking about Whiteruns newest thane, an apparent Dragonborn. She heard the summons from the Greybeards and was very surprised to know the Dragonborn was staying in the city for the day. She wanted to meet him or at least go and see what he looked like, but Irileth had told her to stay put because of an important assignment coming up. She had polished her sword and gotten her armor ready, and now she was waiting for Irileth to come give her the assignment. Finally after what seemed like hours she came up to Lydia.
"Lydia, the time has come."
Lydia looked up at Irileth questioningly.
"You mean I-
"Yes, the Jarl has appointed a new thane and has assigned you as his personal housecarl." Said Irileth.
Lydia was shocked.
Her voice a little quieter, Lydia asked "Is he the Dragonborn?"
Irileth sighed. "I dont know if its Nord nonsense or not, but he certainly has a special power. He killed a dragon out at the Western watchtower, saving countless lives. If what your asking is, is your thane the 'Dragonborn of legends'...then I'm not sure what to tell you. All I know is, I'm not sure if he needs a housecarl, but you should get prepared to go, hes probably going to be heading to the top of the mountain to consult the Greybeards." Explained Irileth.
Lydia was a little saddened. How could she, a Nord raised in the city from birth, possibly assist a dragon slayer? Of course shed always wanted to be a housecarl, but this might be her undoing.
Irileth seemed to feel what she was feeling.
"Lydia, I, and countless guards here have trained you since your childhood, and you have waited your whole life for a chance to be a housecarl. This is your chance. Dont sit around sulking, grow a backbone!" Exclaimed Irileth. "Or would you rather have another housecarl take your place?"
Lydia jumped up and said "I will make the best housecarl you have ever seen!"
"Make Whiterun proud Lydia!" Shouted Irileth
With that, Lydia marched off with her gear to Dragonsreach to meet her new thane. She would do her duties as best as possible and not disappoint the Jarl, or the Dragonborn.
Alright. Thats the first chapter of my Skyrim story! Please review, any help is appreciated! Until next time.