By the Nine, he's writing another Elder Scrolls story!
There are a couple of reasons. One, I didn't really do the Dragonborn DLC justice in 'Land of My Fathers'. I devoted only four chapters to it and pretty much raced through the small saga. While this won't be a long story by any stretch of the imagination, I do aim to flesh out the story on Solstheim at least. And, two, I like to do unusual romances. If you look at my story list, particularly Mass Effect, I've written a couple of stories where Shepard has romanced outside the most popular or standard options. So, for this, I have the Dragonborn romancing someone who isn't listed as a character when choosing who appears in this story (I have requested the person be added though heard nothing back.)
Although the character is named Uhtred, he is not the same as the one seen in 'Land of My Fathers', nor 'Enter the Dragonborn'. Different back story. Different character. And no Serana romance.
As this is only a side project to my main one's, chapters won't be as long as usual (I usually aim for 6000 words, these will be aiming for 3000-4000.)
It had been another successful hunt. Venison for eating, deer pelts to sell at the market, a couple of nights spent under the stars, sitting by the campfire with a couple of my closest friends, plenty of laughter, bottles of mead and ale, and enough innuendo between the three of us that anyone listening probably thought the three of us were intimate. We were not, or at least, we were not anymore. The Dragonborn lived alone in his little house of Breezehome in Whiterun. I considered myself at least semi-retired.
Sure, I remained Harbinger of the Companions, but the twins, Vilkas and Farkas, ran the guild on a day to day basis, and had done so for years now. Aela was no longer a member of the Circle as she hadn't given up the beast-blood, and she agreed that, as the last werewolf, she would resign her position. Jorrvaskr was now full of warriors willing to help those in need, make a few coin, or simply join up to win honour and glory in battle.
Skyrim was at peace. The civil war had ended in an Imperial victory, but not in the way many would have thought. I stayed out of it until Jarl Ulfric launched an attack on Whiterun. Fed up with the constant fighting, which sometimes led to friends of mine being wounded, one or two journeying to Sovngarde, I finally joined up and led the Imperial forces to the gates of Windhelm. Although Ulfric wanted to fight to the death, he agreed to speak to me, and after a long negotiation, he laid down his arms. Having warned about making him a martyr, Tullius agreed to a peace treaty, and Ulfric returned to the Imperial fold. He still complained about the Thalmor, but he only said what all of us were thinking. So far, the Thalmor hadn't raised arms against the Empire or Skyrim. Yet…
Walking through the city gates of Whiterun with my fresh kills, no doubt the guards saw a slightly broken down warrior. I was missing a finger from my left hand, and only magic saved my right hand entirely. A nasty scar ran down the right side of my face. I walked with a slight limp as my left knee caused me constant pain. When I took off my armour, I looked down to see a body covered in scars and burns. Yet I had been victorious, in bringing Skyrim to peace, in restoring the honour of the Companions, and I had defeated Alduin in Sovngarde. I returned to visit the Greybeards twice a year for meditation. I tried my best to follow the Way.
Dumping the pelts onto Anoriath's stall, he exclaimed, "By Azura, Uhtred! Another successful hunt?"
I glanced back to see Aela and Lydia ready to dump their deer on him too. "You could say that."
"I'm going to run out of coin at this rate."
"I'm sure you sell these pelts and meat at three times their worth." He simply tapped the side of his nose and smirked. After handing me the usual number of coin, I thanked him and, together with Aela and Lydia, wandered up towards Jorrvaskr.
Though I rarely completed contracts, I spent plenty of time in the old hall, generally giving advice to the youngsters who knew all about me. Only the twins, Lydia and Aela had fought by my side all those years ago, freeing Kodlak from the blood of the beast and sending him to Sovngarde. The twins and I had also cured ourselves over time. The largest reason for the recruitment was the fact the Dragonborn was a member of the organisation, though the locals of Whiterun left me alone most of the time. It had been at least fifteen winters since the Dragon Crisis, after all. Plenty of words had been written about what had happened, not all of them true.
I guess people would also be interested in my private life too. The Dragonborn remained single, as although I had lovers in the past, I hadn't what you would call 'settled down'. I'd had a brief fling with Lydia, though it never felt right, considering she was my Housecarl. She understood my reasons, and has since settled down with one of the guards, and now had a young family. Technically still my Housecarl, I was more than capable of looking after myself. I had a long, wild and passionate affair with Aela, but we drifted apart due to her refusal to give up the blood. We are still intimate from time to time, generally when we were both feeling lonely. A little sad, when one thought about it. I was tempted to settle down with Ysolda as we were in a relationship for a couple of years, but she dreamed of taking over the 'Bannered Mare' above everything, and although we were intimate for a time, again we drifted apart.
I'm sure some must have thought I was bored having spent at least a year and more wandering from the east and west, south and north of Skyrim, solving all manner of issues for the Companions, the civil war, the dragon menace, even the College of Winterhold. I had magical ability, as did everyone, but I was a warrior, not a mage. I had no idea what those other mages were thinking by appointing me Arch-Mage. I quickly gave that position to someone else far more worthy. But that was all a decade and more ago. I still hadn't reached forty winters, not quite, but it was getting close…
So I spent my days either reading my extensive library in Breezehome, having filled Lydia's old room with bookshelves, at Jorrvaskr or the 'Bannered Mare', regaling everyone with stories, though I'm sure I was now repeating them, or I'd go out hunting with Aela or Lydia, or both of them. I went out hunting at least once a week, sometimes I wanted a little fresh meat, sometimes just for the thrill. I certainly didn't need the coin. I'd made more than enough over the years. It was simply to stave off boredom, to keep fit and not get too lazy.
Only Aela joined me for a hunt the next week. She never turned while around me, though I knew she would occasionally head out by herself to hunt as a werewolf. I didn't judge, as I knew she had taken to the blood completely, and did not dream of Sovngarde like the rest of us. But when hunting together, we worked without having to share a word, barely requiring shared glances or gestures. We simply knew what the other was going to do.
The best hunting was in the forests of Falkreath, so we took enough supplies so we could camp for a night or two. We each snagged a couple of beasts, cooking one of them at night, where we also shared a couple of bottles of mead. We could sit by the campfire and talk about anything, though we usually reminisced about old times.
"Nearly forty, Uhtred," she stated with a smirk.
"Thanks for the reminder. And it's still a year or two away yet."
"You don't know how old you are, though, do you?"
"Not exactly. One problem with being an orphan then a runaway. It's a best guess. Doesn't really matter."
"Still not keen on settling down?"
Turning my head towards her next to me on the log, I raised an eyebrow. "You suggesting something? And I am settled down. Quite content, actually."
"Still no desire for marriage and children?"
"You are suggesting something!"
She laughed, I think at me. Probably. "It's just surprising after all this time, Uhtred. To be honest, you could have had any woman you wanted. I'm sure the powers that be were trying to set you up with Elisif in Solitude. The Dragonborn married to the High Queen would have made quite a few people happy."
Shaking my head, I replied. "No, politically it would have been messy, especially after the end of the civil war. And I have no desire for power. I'm just glad people mostly leave me alone nowadays."
"Don't you get lonely?"
I didn't miss the tone. "Now you're suggesting something else, Aela."
She was, and we woke up together the next morning together under the furs. Having lived the life of warriors for the best part of two decades, we were both scarred. Being similar in age to myself, Aela was just as fit as she'd been on the day I met her. It wasn't awkward when we woke up together. It happened often enough that we simply enjoyed it then moved on with our lives. There would probably always be an attraction, but while we loved each other as friends, there were no deeper feelings.
After packing up camp and attaching the remaining deer to our horses, we began the long ride back to Whiterun, chatting away as always, eventually turning onto the main road between Rorikstead and Whiterun. Even after all these years, the breadth of the Hold was enough to take your breath away, the lands full of roaming beasts, though we still preferred the forests. The Hold had once been plagued by bandits, but the Companions had spent a long time emptying every nook and cranny of anyone still willing to rob the average person of the few coins they carried.
It was only when approaching the stables outside the city that something felt… off. I was old enough and sometimes wise enough to sense when trouble was near. Warriors generally had a sixth sense about these things. Raising a hand, Aela pulled on the reins of her horse and we slowed, approaching the turn towards the city.
"Are you the one they call the Dragonborn?" one of them called. I couldn't pick the accent.
Answering positive was probably the wrong thing, but I was already coiled, ready to move. "I am Dragonborn."
"Your lies fall on deaf ears, Deceiver. The True Dragonborn comes... You are but his shadow."
I glanced at Aela. "Deceiver?"
"When Lord Miraak appears all shall bear witness. None shall stand to oppose him!"
Next thing either of us knew, flames shot in our direction. I dismounted immediately and my horse, trained as it was, ran for safety, as did Aela's, of whom her bow was already in hand, an arrow fired in the direction of the flames. As I'd only been hunting, I hadn't taken the best equipment, dressed in only leather armour, but I always carried my finest weapons. Though I had respect for dragons, and had agreed I would not be the dragonslayer some wished I was, my sword and shield were still made of dragonbone, as was my bow. With Aela armed with a bow, I got up close and person, my shield enchanted to help prevent the worst of the flames.
I counted three of them, dressed in some sort of robes, and strange masks on their faces. I had no idea who they were, no idea why they were attacking Aela or myself, but I closed the distance between myself and them quickly, all the old aches and pain disappearing. I felt the heat of the flames from two of them, and while I might have been burned, there was nothing they could do to stop a sword moving far quicker than they could possibly imagine.
The first mage went down quickly, the second not much later, an arrow in his chest, following up with a sword strike of my own. I called that the third was mine, armed with twin daggers. I allowed them to come forward, using my shield and sword to block their swings. They had some talent, I'll give them that, but once they made a mistake, I took one of the daggers from their hand and returned a swing of my own. Whoever it was spun around and hit the deck.
It had all taken place in a matter of thirty seconds.
"Who in oblivion are this lot?" Aela wondered, stowing her bow.
"No idea. But I suggest we do the usual thing. Check the bodies."
Crouching down over the nearest one, the body was dressed in robes, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were enchanted, with regular looking boots and gloves. It was the mask that took my attention though, taking that from their head, noticing it was a Dunmer wearing it. I turned the mask this way and that, getting a good look at it, though it was nothing I recognised. But I kept it, just in case.
Checking the body further, I found a single weapon, nothing more than a steel dagger, a couple of potion bottles, and a few septims. Then I found a note in another pocket, and its contents were… some might say disturbing. It had me thinking 'Why now? Why after all this time?'
Board the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the False Dragonborn known as Uhtred before he reaches Solstheim.
Return with word of your success, and Miraak shall be most pleased.
Standing tall, Aela joined me, stating she found similar gear to what I'd found, though only I had a note. I showed it to her and she was as confused as I. "Miraak?"
Shrugging, I admitted I had no idea who that was. "Where is Solstheim?" Aela shrugged. "Guess we should report this and then get out the maps."
After gathering our horses and stabling them, we headed first to the guard barracks, letting the local commander know there were bodies lying outside, waiting for removal. He simply laughed, stating it had been some times since the last bandit raid. Next stop was Jorrvaskr, where Kodlak's old room remained as it was the day he died. I hesitate to call it a shrine, but I hadn't slept in their while I was Harbinger, and neither of the twins wanted the room either. The anteroom was still used for meetings, but the best thing was the library Kodlak had kept. Aela and I gathered what we needed and headed back upstairs.
Spreading the map out, we found Solstheim off the north-east coast of Skyrim. We had been joined by other Companions as Aela and I researched. "Any of you heard of Solstheim?" I wondered.
Athis stated he'd heard of it as the island was now home to Dunmer, but that was about it. Farkas and Vilkas read the same letter, and immediately wondered what I was going to do next. "Never heard of Solstheim until today. Have no idea who Miraak is. But they said something about the 'True Dragonborn'. Well, I think we all know I'm not a false Dragonborn so…"
"You're going to Windhelm, aren't you?" Aela asked.
"I have a feeling these idiots might try again if I don't answer it. I'll head to Windhelm, see how and if I can travel to Solstheim, then see what happens from there." I trailed off and couldn't help groan. "Just when I was getting used to retirement…"
"You were bored out of your brain, Uhtred!" Farkas exclaimed.
"Aye. You've been waiting for something like this for years," his twin added.
"Want some company?" Aela asked.
"No. This could end up being nothing at all."
"But it could be something…"
I couldn't help smile. "And if it is, I'll send word."
I was summoned to Dragonsreach later that day, Balgruuf wanting to know the whole story as always, though only after we both had a tankard of mead in hand. I was always honest with him, letting him look at the letter and sharing my thoughts. Though he was slightly concerned about further attacks in or around the city, I assured him I would be departing quickly, and if needed, would nip the issue in the bud before it devolved into something worse.
Packing early the next morning, I laid out my armour. Eorlund had managed to fuse dragon scales with iron and leather. It was tough, certainly better than the scaled armour I'd worn for most of the time, but he had spent weeks if not months designing then building it, presenting it to me before I left to face down Alduin. In addition to the armour, he also designed a helmet, boots and gloves for me. I generally didn't like wearing a helmet, but adapted to it over time. In addition to that, he used bones to design a sword, shield and bow.
I would take all of this with me to Windhelm, and more than likely, to Solstheim afterwards. I would take some spare clothing, armour and weapons, plus supplies for the journey to ancient city, figuring I would also have to take a boat to Solstheim. I could call in a dragon for a ride, but I left them alone as they had kept their word that they would leave us alone. During my visits to the Greybeards, I would occasionally venture all the way to the top to visit Paarthurnax, figuring he would get a little lonely. We would spend hours talking before I had to leave, as it was simply far too cold, even with the Nord and dragon blood that flowed through my veins.
On horseback, it took around a day to ride to most Hold capitals from Whiterun, and I would make Windhelm by sunset. Lydia was a natural worrier, asking me more than once if I needed her assistance. I suggested she stay home and look after her young children. Aela asked if not demanded I send a letter as soon as I knew what was happening, while the twins simply wished me luck.
I hadn't worn the dragonscale armour since my days supporting the Imperial Army against the Stormcloaks, but it still fit like it was designed. Despite being a lone warrior, no-one was dumb enough to attack me the entire journey, even the wild beasts that prowled the forests and plains of Skyrim stayed away. Maybe they too knew I was Dragonborn? I generally didn't use my Thu'um anymore, not unless my life, or those of my friends, was in danger. Usually a glare was enough to send most people scurrying away.
Windhelm, the ancient capital, looked as cold as ever. Stabling my horse, I wondered if the snow ever melted as I crossed the bridge to the city gates. The guards knew me, I assume by appearance and the armour, and despite who I had fought with, they were always respectful. Not wanting to waste too much time, I headed straight for the docks. Life had improved marginally for the Dunmer and Argonians. For example, they Argonians were now allowed into the city, at least into the Grey Quarter, though most still worked on the docks. Asking after the Northern Maiden, I was pointed in the direction of a rather fine looking vessel.
Pointed in the direction of the captain, I asked if he would be headed to Solstheim anytime soon. "If you're looking for passage to Solstheim, too bad. I'm not going back there anymore."
"Why not?"
He remained silent for a moment, then looked me up and down, and seemed to realise who I was. "Men with the masks?" I nodded before he sighed. "It's hard to explain. I remember those people with the masks coming on board, then, next thing I remember, I was here and they were gone. That's not right, losing whole days like that. There's been something strange going on there for a while, but after this... I'm done. I'm not going back to Solstheim."
I wasn't a violent man, but I needed him to see reason. A simple grab of the collar would do the trick. I was taller and broader than him, so that alone would help intimidate him. "Look, those people in masks tried to kill me. You brought them here. So now you can take me to Solstheim so I can deal with the one who sent them."
He knew I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I didn't want to give him a slap, but if I had to, I would. But he relented quickly. They usually did. "Alright, you have a point. Taking you back to find out who sent them is the least I can do. Besides, maybe you can put a stop to whatever's going on over there. I owe them a bit of payback myself."
"When do we depart?"
"With the tide, so early tomorrow morning."
"Good. I can send off some letters before we depart. I'll be staying at the Candlehearth Hall if you need me."
Before leaving, we agreed on a price, and I think he gave me a good deal, considering everything that happened. The first thing I did at the inn was write a few letters, explaining what I was doing. No doubt Aela would be upset I was leaving her behind, but I was used to working alone anyway. Lydia was left behind more often than not during the Dragon Crisis, and while the Companions would occasionally help out, I trusted in my sword arm and Thu'um when I worked alone.
The next morning, I bought more supplies for the journey, the captain stating I would be looking at a travel time of around a week, depending on the wind and seas. If the seas were rough, he warned me that I could spend most of the journey hanging over the side. He was probably exaggerating… hopefully…
Our destination would be a city by the name of Raven Rock.
A/N - I wouldn't expect a second chapter anytime soon. I wrote this on a whim and figured I can develop it later.
