The sky was a beautiful, clear blue, clouds spreading, moving. Two girls were lying on the grass, dazed at the beauty of the sky. The youngest one laid her head on her sister's lap while the older one played with the hair of her young sister. The wind blew up leaves into the air, as well as the girl's hair, much to their discomfort. It was as if those two didn't fit the rest of the warring world. They looked so peaceful together, so beautiful they could have been used for a painting.
''Look Nessa, this cloud looks like a sword!''
The older girl giggled.''A girl shouldn't care for weapons or such, Elena.' pointed out continued to stroke her younger sister's hair lovingly.The younger one seemed to disapprove.'' One day I want to be the greatest battle-mage! I want my name to be on everyone's lips.''
The girl named Nessa laughed frankly. She was tall, long, wavy brown auburn hair tied back into a long braid. She had sparkling green eyes. She gave the aura of kindness, compassion. She was beautiful. No one could say otherwise. Big green eyes, straight nose and full lips. The younger one looked like her older sister. Her hair was light auburn at the roots but a darker brown at the tip, and beautiful big greenish-blue eyes. Her features were so delicate and she had the same full lips as her sister.
Nessa looked down on her sister's face. Everyone always taught Elena was a strange kid. She spent almost all of her time alone; she didn't like to be around people. To others, she is a cold and distant girl. And she would want to be a soldier, which Nessa disapproved greatly. Both of them had the blood of the elves running through her veins, which resulted with both of them having pointed ears like those of an elf.
A bright purple light surrounded Elena's hand and a summoned falcon appeared, flying around them while making noises. A trail of sparks followed it as it disappeared into the air. Nessa was always mesmerised whenever she would see her sister uses magic. Everyone seemed to be scared of her because of that, but at the moment, Nessa couldn't understand why everyone FEARED her sister.'' How could something this beautiful be such a bad thing? ''she thought at the moment.
''How is the war going?''Nessa was confused'' War? There are no wars at the moment.'''' Yes there is. In Skyrim, a war of succession.''Nessa stopped stroking her sister's hair.'' How do you know about that?'' Dreams.'' Elena's said while sighing. Elena looked up and saw the blank expression of her sister. ''You are afraid, Nessa. Afraid of the things you know nothing about. Like everyone. Am I that strange? Scarier than a hagraven?'' Nessa began stroking her hair hastily.'' Of course not. Just wondering how you know all these things.''
Elena got up and cleaned the dress she was wearing from any kind of dirt. She didn't look like a thirteen years old girl. Wisdom was all you could see in her eyes.''Maybe I will tell you one day, just not today.''
When I woke up, I was in a cart, with imperial soldiers all around us. Three people were with me. One man that looked young enough with long blond hair with a short beard the same color. One with mid-long black hair with war paint on his face, wearing ragged clothes, and the other one was… intimidating. Tall and massive ,wearing noble clothes, a piece of clothes around his mouth, to muzzle him. Long brown hair combed to the back and dark chestnut eyes. We were all bound at the wrists and I was, also, muzzled. The road was bumpy, and another carriage was in front of this one, prisoners on it too. The trees, animals, herbes was a striking sight.
'' Hey, you. You're finally awake.''
The blonde man was talking to me.
''You tried to cross the border, right? And fell right into an imperial ambush. Same as us, and that thief over there.'''' Damn Stormcloak rebels, Skyrim was fine until you came along. The Empire was nice and lazy, said the pointed thief, angrily. If they hadn't been looking for you, I would've stolen that horse and be half way to Hammerfell.'' The proclaimed thief turned to me.'' You there, you and me, we shouldn't be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire want.''
Yeah, surely, I don't even remember being captured. Must have been hit pretty hard to the skull.
At least, that is what I understood from the raging pain behind my head.
-''We are all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief.''
At least he knows I am a female.
''Shut up back there!'' Threw an imperial soldier.
The man with mid-long dark hair turned to the muzzled man.
'' What's wrong with him?''
'' Watch your tongue; you are speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King!'' He looked so convinced of what he said, truly loyal to that man.
Here I thought this futile war of succession was over. Great. He killed High King Toryyg, if I recall correctly. With a shout. Or at least part of it was with a shout. Impressive.
I couldn't help but stare at him. Such power… must have studied with the Greybeards. He must have felt me staring since he looked at me.
'' Ulfric, the Jarl of Windhelm? You are the leader of the rebellion… But if the captured you… Oh gods! Where are they taking us!?''
The blond man sighed.
'' I don't know where we are going, but Sovngarde awaits.''
Sovngarde is the Nordic Paradise with the great mead hall. Heroes within it. Does it mean I'm going to die? All that long trip to die crossing the border? Seriously? I didn't do anything wrong.
The sight of my head rolling onto the ground was not that tempting. I let a sigh escape my lips.
'' No, this can't be happening, this isn't happening!'' He was panicking, fear was on every traits of his face.
'' Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?''
''Why do you care? Asked the thief, not sure why the blond man wanted to know.''
'' A Nord's last thought should be of home.''
The moment that man said this I recalled Valenwood, with its migratory trees, beautiful nature. Memories of me and my sister running in the woods faster than anything else almost brought tears to my eyes. Where are you now, Nessa?
'' Rorikstead, I'm… I am from Rorikstead.''
And then we heard a soldier talking.
'' General Tullius, sir! The headsman is waiting.''
'' Good, let's get this over with.''
And then I was the small city we were brought to, big wood doors was keeping us from getting inside and they opened it. A headsman, it won't be painful for long.The thief was panicking even more at the sight of the city.
'' Shor, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh…Divines, please help me!''screamed the thief.
The blonde man scowled.
'' Look at him, General Tullius, the military governor, and it looks like the Thalmor are with him, damn elves. I bet they have something to do with this!''
I could'nt help but let a groan attract his attention. I'm an elf you dimwit! He whispered a weak sorry
The village was small, people walking, staring harshly at us, and cursing us. The blonde man smiled bitterly. A huge wall was keeping the people of Helgen safe within it. The sound of hooves hitting the rocky ground was one of the only things you could hear. A dread silence filled the village.
'' This is Helgen, I used to be sweet on a girl from here, wonder if Vilod still makes that mead with juniper berries mixed in.'' Said the blonde soldier.
You know you shouldn't be thinking about alcohol right now, do you? Not that a fogged mind wouldn't help.
He looked around us. ''Funny, when I was a boy, imperial walls and towers made me feel so safe.''
I heard a boy and his father talk together in the background. The father called his son, little cub. Little cub, sounds familiar to me. Images popped into my mind. A young Khajiit, silver and black with big orange eyes. Tsair. The name of the young and defenseless Khajiit imposed itself to me. The little Khajiit I had found wandering alone in Cyrodiil. I took him with me , he was too young to be left all alone. And Aaron, whom I had been travelling with for some time. Both of them were dear to me. Aaron, the first man I learned to trust in some time. Panic invaded every drop of my blood, my heart beating became faster, erratic. Do not let them suffer the same fate as I will. I looked around to catch each of their faces. The carriages stopped.
''Why are we stopping ?'' asked the thief nervously. He was looking around like a lost little lamb, terrified to whatever he was thinking.
The blonde man was expressionless. ''Why do you think? End of the line.''
And then, one by one, we all had to get off the carriage. The screams of a kid attracted my attention. Two imperials were dragging a kid. A khajiit kid. Tsair. He turned around, saw me and tried to break free from their grasp. They wouldn't be as cruel as to kill a child? Would they? They didn't look like they wanted to kill him, or hurt him in any way. He looked so afraid and I couldn't help him in any way anymore.
Two imperial stood in front of us. An imperial woman, captain by the looks of it. And the other one looked like a Nord, quite bulky. Mid long brown hair. He had a book in his hands. Must be a book of wanted criminal.
'' Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us.''
''No. Wait! We are not rebels! 'Tried to defend the horse thief.
'' Face your death with some courage, thief.''
'' You've got to tell them! We weren't with you! This is a mistake!''
That is a mistake,clearly.The imperial woman cleared her throat. ''Step towards the block when we call your name. One at a time.''
This is clearly criminal records, I was right. The blonde man almost laughed. 'Empire loves their damn list''
The Nord looked at Ulfric and called him. The blonde man sneered at the imperials.'' It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!'' The brown haired Nord soldier than looked at my companion in binds.
'' Ralof of Riverwood'' So that is his name. Ralof walked over the block as did all the other prisoners.And then another name. ''Lokir of Rorikstead'' Ah, the name of the horse thief. Lokir walked towards them, every inch of his body gave away only one thing: fear.'' No, I'm not a rebel. You can't do this!'' And then he started to run. ''Halt!'' the imperial shouted.'' You are not going to kill me!'' he said while running.Idiot. The imperial woman turned towards him.'' Archers!'' she screamed. Ans an arrow pierced the back of the horse thief, he fell to the ground, lifeless. She then turned towards me. ''Anyone else feels like running?''
As if, I'm not stupid enough to do that. Sorry to disappoint you, Imperials. The Nord man then looked at me. Oh shit. Is the only word that came through my mind. ''Wait. You there. Step forward.'' And that I did, I didn't want to die with an arrow in my throat, both of the soldiers looking at me. The imperial captain put her hands over her Nord was still staring at me. ''Who are you?'' he asked, unsure of what to do.
I can't speak you idiots. He then saw the piece of clothes around my mouth. ''Oh'' is all he said before taking it off.'' So, who are you?'' I had to find a name that would fit someone like me.'' Nel '' He then looked down to his book.'' We'll make sure your remains are sent to Valenwood.'' At LEAST he knew I had Bosmer blood within me. Not so stupid after all. He then turned to his superior. ''What should we do Captain, she is not on the list.'' Maybe I won't be executed, after all.'' Forget the list. She goes to the block. And here I thought I could go hunt after this huge mistake.
I walked towards the block, accepting my fate. Please, nine or eight divines or whatsoever, make sure Tsair and Aaron are safe.And then, General Tullius, if I'm not wrong, started to accuse Ulfric Stormcloak of murder and starting this war, and said they will execute him. Then, there was that sound, menacing sound came from the sky. General Tullius then told the priestess to proceed.''As we command your soul to Aetherius, blessing of the Eight Divines…'' ''Nines Divines!'' shouted a prisoner.''Nines Divines upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn…'' For the love of Talos, Shut up and let's get this over with!'' he interrupted the priestess of Arkay and she was left speechless. Poor woman, she is not getting paid enough to do this shit.
Something soft brushing my shoulders attracted my attention and I turned around. There stood Aaron, binds around wrists like the rest of us. His light brown hair and his green eyes, his straight nose. Tears filled my eyes. So this is it, I thought. He looked sad too. His lips turned into a sad smile. We both knew and felt how it would end. My first love. The first man who wasn't scared of me. He bumped his forehead against mine. ''Never doubt my feelings for you'' A sad smile spread on my lips.'' I don't.''
The imperial captain then looked at me. '' Next, the wood elf'' Aaron and I looked at each other, both having Bosmer blood in our veins. The woman in heavy Legionnaire armor sighed of frustration. ''The woman Bosmer'' Aaron tried to stop me from going but imperial soldiers were grabbing him on each arm into a firm grasp.''Why are you accepting being executed so easily, damn it?!'' I walked straight to the block, without looking back. ''We all have one fate, if this is mine, I have to accept it.'' I told him, coldly. ''Why the hell are you so eager to die!?''I turned my face sideways to him.'' Because I won't have to flee my past anymore.'' He looked hurt for some seconds before he stopped moving. Tsair was screaming, looking at me. With my lips, I mimicked a weak Sorry. They pushed me to my knees, head resting on the execution block. The executioner lifted his axe high in the air. Another roar cut through the sky.
Then, it appeared, a giant lizard coming from any kid's nightmare. It was as black as night, eyes as red as rubies, covered by scales, long neck, his head and spine covered in spikes. A dragon. He shouted something and giant flaming rock started to fall off the sky, everyone fell to the ground at the thundering sound. Why are you ruining my final moment, you giant snake? The man named Ralof lifted me up. '' We have to get to the keep. Let's go! ''Everything was engulfed in flames. Tsair and Cameron came running to me. They brought me into the keep. I kneeled besides the wounded, let a bright gold light engulf my hands and put them over their wound. It spread and every wound started to close, little by little. Knitting together. Ulfric and his lieutenant were talking about the dragons. We all were in the same boat now. Dragons were a threat to us all.