I don't own Skyrim or its characters. This is my take on the Dragonborn's story. Questionable lineage, doubt, and self-discovery were the main points I wanted to explore. Please leave constructive criticism and if I messed up the lore, please bring it to my attention.

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Elrue arose with the sun as she did every morning. Stretching in the full, glowing light, the young woman unfolded her large, athletic frame from the bed and stretched again. It was harvest season and her father would be all over her if she didn't get up and about in the next two minutes.

Donning leather boots, a loose tunic, and tights, Elrue pulled back her long mane of golden hair and gave it a quick braid down her back. She had far too much to do that day to be bothered with the waving locks. Strapping a thick, leather belt around her waist and sheathing the elven dagger that she'd carried with her every day since her sixteenth birthday, the woman slipped out of her room and snuck down the hallway.

At least once a week, she and her father played a game in which she attempted to surprise him. Peering around the corner with deep, golden eyes, Elrue spotted Emiluin at the kitchen pump, looking out of the window. She smiled to herself. Maybe, just maybe, today would be the day. Taking a few silent steps forward, the blonde was a mere foot away when the man spoke.

"Almost, my love."

"Damn!" She shouted and dropped heavily into the chair at the little breakfast table.

He turned and smiled at her, though his luminous yellow eyes held some distant concern. "That's closer than you've ever been. I should say you would be able to sneak up on most any predator."

"I don't hunt predators." She huffed. Her father could sneak up on a deer; she had seen him do it. The tall, slim man could move like a shadow and plunge a dagger into a stag's heart before the poor beast knew what hit him.

Emiluin smiled again. "You might some day." He said enigmatically and passed her a bowl of fruit before placing the bread, cheese, and knife on the table. "Jam?"

"Please." She nodded as he turned back around to pass her the jar before looking back out the window. Elrue studied him and found that there was something subtly off about him that morning. His stance was casual and elegant as always and the thin, high boned face was neutral. The flowing platinum hair on his head was tied back in a loose braid just as it always was on working days. However, there was something off in his eyes. Her father was Altmer through and through and never belied his anxiety, except in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

He did not turn. "We have a lot to do today."

"Papa." She said quietly and stood to come look out the window with him. "What is troubling you?"

He sighed and glanced her way. "You have had a happy twenty-four years, haven't you?"

This caught her off-guard and troubled her deeply. She frowned, "Yes, I had a great childhood."

"Do you ever wonder what might have happened if you'd been...high society?"

"High society?" She laughed and the man smiled at the sound. "What? Travel in Thalmor circles? Wear mage robes and drink aged Alinor brandy? No, thanks." She gestured to the field of grain before them. "I have climbed every tree, fished every stream, sunk my toes in the rich dirt of Sunhold and learned an appreciation of that which cannot be seen." Her father put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Besides, I'm half-Nord." She laughed again. "Most Altmer see me as the enemy."

"Hate and xenophobia are the enemy."

"I know, Papa." Elrue nodded to his automatic response. "What has you philosophizing this early in the morning? You usually wait till dinner time for this type of talk."

Emiluin looked at her a moment as though he were battling with himself. Sighing, he shrugged. "Nothing. You'll be twenty-five by Spring and I just was considering what life could have been like for you."

"Well, don't trouble yourself over me." The young woman said and her father laughed. "I'm happy where I am. I hope nothing ever changes."

"Change is inevitable."

"Can we get to work?" She rolled her eyes. "I don't want to talk about this any longer."

This time, the man belted out a laugh. "That's the Nord in you. If you don't want to listen, you walk away; if the problem follows you, you start swinging."

"Right, so don't follow me." She joked. "We both know you're far sneakier, but I have more muscle."

"You can't use that muscle if you don't see me coming." He gave her a playful shove back to her breakfast. "Eat! Stop holding us up! I'll be at the barn when you're finished."

Elrue watched him go. She had the feeling that he hadn't been totally honest with her about his concerns. Chowing down on the fruit and cheese, the blonde considered that maybe it was time for another family visit.