Author's Note: didn't think I'd try a Skyrim story... It's a vast land, full of many people with so much to do. Couldn't resist this one, though. Yeah, I'll be writing as if it were happening in real life. No limitations! Also, we can thank Bethesda for The Elder Scrolls series.


Sparks and Arrows


Why was she always getting caught in these situations? She twisted around, one hand crackling with flames and the other surrounded by chirping electricity. She was fast losing both her energy and magicka. She couldn't allow this to be the end... She reached into her small pack and brought out a dagger.

The bandits circled like vultures. A few were laughing hysterically at her chosen weapon. "What do you think you're gonna do with that?" One of them questioned, pointing the tip of his sword at her.

Eleni bit into her bottom lip, her fear mounting quickly. She was out of options. She was drained of her magicka, she couldn't outrun them, and she definitely didn't have the strength (or a proper weapon) to fight them off. She was done, she thought. All of her work had been for nothing.

A dog's barking caught their attention. Was that...the sound of a horse galloping? The galloping stopped a second later. The dog seemed to have come out of nowhere, snarling and snapping angrily. He caught one of the bandit's arms between his powerful jaws and sharp teeth.

A whistle-like noise sounded, ended with a dull thud and then one of the bandits fell before her - dead. Her eyes widened in horror. More whistling noises as arrows sliced through the air, one after the other. Those arrows buried themselves deep in chests and necks, striking vitals.

When Eleni dared to re-open her eyes, she stood in the middle of a circle of corpses. A dog sank low to the ground, exposing his bloodied teeth, growling menacingly at her. Another whistle sounded, but it didn't come from a whizzing arrow this time. The dog's ears perked up slightly and he barked before racing up a small hill. He looked back at Eleni, panting and wagging his tail a little.

"Good boy, Vigilance."

The dog barked happily, turning his attention to his companion. Eleni watched as a horse made it to the top of a hill, followed closely by another dog. On the horse was a Nord woman carrying a bow in one hand. From the looks of things, she was an experienced traveler as well as an expert in long-ranged combat.

The woman barely glanced her way before turning the horse around, going back in the direction she had come from. "Wait! Please, wait!" Eleni raced to catch up.

She didn't really wait, but the horse was going at a slow enough pace and Eleni managed to get up beside the massive creature. She stared up at the Nord and, in return, the Nord looked down at her through narrowed eyes. "What is it that you want, mage?"

"Safety, for now."

"I'm not the best person to follow if that's really what you want."

"From the looks of things, you're well-practiced with that bow. I think I'll take my chances with you. It'll be better than walking around in the wilderness by myself, without a real weapon and lacking supplies."

"Why are you out here if that is the case?"

"Well," Eleni sighed, "I was trying to get to Winterhold. They have a college there for mages, I hear."

"This is true."

"Yeah, but it's quite a distance away. I used up everything I had trying to get away from wolves and guys like that." She gestured behind them.

"So, what are you expecting out of me? I do not plan on escorting you to Winterhold unless you have the gold to pay me. I must warn you: I'm not cheap."

"What exactly are you?"

"Anything and everything," came her ready response.

"What's your name?"

"It's impolite to ask someone's name without first introducing yourself."

"Oh! Sorry. My name is Eleni."

She grunted softly before saying, "I am Sahana, but I mostly go by 'Dragonborn.'"

Dragonborn... She'd heard that before. She couldn't remember who had uttered the title or where she had been when she'd heard it, but it was definitely familiar. "Why do people call you that?"

"Because it is what and who I am," Sahana said with a shrug. Eleni could tell that she wasn't going to get an actual answer.

"Where are you headed?" she asked.

"Home. Whiterun."

"Do you think that you could take me there?"

Sahana sighed heavily. "Sure, why not?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Does this look like a horse-drawn carriage to you?"

Eleni frowned. "I will take my leave, then."

They were silent for a moment, leaving Sahana to her thoughts. She supposed that she was more irritable than usual; she was running on very little sleep and that was starting to mess with her. "You do not have to," she said finally. "I suppose I've a lot on my mind right now." As much as she didn't want to, she said, "I will take you to Whiterun, but from there, you're on your own."

"Understood. Thank you!" Eleni's smile was bright - childish, even. Sahana could only stare at that smile, seemingly in awe. She snapped out of that right quick, though.

"Right," she murmured. She tugged on the reins to stop the horse. "Climb up. We've no time to waste."

Eleni nodded and, with Sahana's help, managed to get on the horse. It was an uncomfortable seat, but if it got her out of the wilderness and into a nice, warm house for a change, she wasn't about to complain.

"Hold on tight; I sense it'll be a bumpy ride for you."

And she was right. Even though Sahana directed the horse with great ease, the stone paths and "shortcuts" that Sahana opted to take kept throwing Eleni off-balance. She looked down. On either side of the horse, a dog worked, scanning the area, scenting for trouble. At times, they'd look up at Sahana with adoration. She'd praise them in a soft voice and they'd go back to what they were doing.

"So, how are you holding up back there?" Sahana sounded...amused. "We should be there soon."

"Oh, I'm fine," Eleni reassured her - not that she needed any reassurance, since, by the sound of it, she would have found it humorous if she'd been having a rough time. "Thanks again for doing this for me. I don't know what I would have done otherwise."

"I do," Sahana said, serious again. "You would have died."

As much as she wanted to disagree, she couldn't. If this person had not shown up when she had, Eleni would have perished. "I suppose I should thank you for earlier, too. You're right. I would have died back there."

"There is no need to thank me. I'm simply doing what I'm meant to."

"Are you a guard of some sort?"

"Not officially, but that's close enough. Ready yourself, mage. We're approaching the stables." Sahana greeted the stable-master and allowed him to take the reins once she and Eleni had dismounted. "Come. The city awaits." Sahana gestured.

"Lead on."

She did. As they approached the gates, the guards bowed their heads respectfully and allowed them entrance. "Welcome to Whiterun," Sahana said once they were inside. "Home." They started walking, the dogs keeping pace easily, panting and wagging their tails happily. "Just up here, you'll be able to buy whatever you need to continue your journey to Winterhold. I also suggest stopping by Warmaiden's to get an actual weapon."

"Thank you, Sahana."

The Dragonborn stared at the little mage girl for a moment. Then, she nodded her head and started ascending some stairs, followed closely by her dogs. Eleni watched until she could no longer see the woman before turning and examining the goods at the stalls.

By the time Eleni found the things she needed, she feared she'd have very little gold for food. It was a shame, too. She'd been saving this money for a few years now. It was a good thing that she was decent at foraging. It was true; Eleni had a keen eye and, a lot of the time, she'd been paid to go out and find ingredients for her former teacher - an accomplished alchemist.

"Excuse me," she attempted to get the blacksmith's attention. The woman glanced her way, but continued working.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm looking for a weapon..."

"You've come to the right place. Go on inside and have Ulfberth help you."

"Thank you." Eleni went into the building and found the man.

"So, what exactly are you searching for?"

"A sword, I guess." She appeared unsure.

He looked amused. "Alright, then. We can help you out. Here. See what you think of this one." He handed the blade off to her.

"Are they all so heavy?" she questioned. He laughed.

"Depends on the metal. Give this one a try." He handed her another blade. "Better?"

"Better," she said with a nod. It was still more weight than she was used to, but she could learn to take comfort in that, actually. It'd remind her that it was there, that she could protect herself.

Eleni paid and turned to exit. "I would recommend some training with that," she heard Ulfberth say as she touched the door handle. She looked back at him and nodded.

"Good idea. Thanks for your help!" She gave him a smile before leaving.

She realized that she felt safe here in Whiterun. It'd been a long time since she'd felt safe. She'd not felt such a thing even back at home, with Alastor. It felt like she was being watched over, protected. She knew that once she left this place, that the feeling would dissipate, and she'd be left as she had been before - lost and forgotten. The thought made her sigh heavily. She was not eager to leave.

She had a bit more gold left. She'd seen a carriage out near the stables. If she hurried, maybe she'd be able to hire him. As she neared the gate, she felt less and less at ease. "Watch the skies, traveler. Be careful."

"Huh?" She'd been lost in thought.

"Watch the skies for dragons," the guard said.

Dragonborn. That name again. "This reminds me... Can you tell me what a Dragonborn is?" It had to do with legends in Skyrim, right? As a Breton, and as an immigrant, how could she have known about it?

He simply stared at her for a moment. "A rare individual with the soul of a dragon, but the body of a mortal, the Dragonborn is able to speak the language of the dragons. She is the ultimate dragon-slayer and a Thane here."

"Sahana is?"

"You speak too freely," the guard mumbled irritably.

"We've met. I came in with her, if you remember. Where can I find her? I'd like to ask her some things."

He hesitated briefly. "She is often seen with the Companions of Jorrvaskr. You might try there."

"Thank you." She turned, stopped, looked back. "Where is that?"

"Keep going straight, turn left and go up the stairs and the stairs to the right of those will lead you to Jorrvaskr."

"Thanks again!" She smiled and walked away. Eleni found herself hoping for that woman to be in a better mood.

Jorrvaskr seemed a decent-enough place. It was big and, upon looking around a little before going inside, seemed to be the perfect place to train before she left for Winterhold. There were a few people sitting around at tables, but when she entered, all eyes fell on her.

"You again." Sahana rose from her seat.

"Yes, me again... I'm sorry for intruding, but I thought that I'd ask you some questions. I learned what a Dragonborn is and what they do. Can you tell me more about that?"

Sahana's frown deepened. "Why?"

"I'm a knowledge-gatherer! You're a walking legend and that's fascinating."

"If you say so..." Sahana looked away. "Unfortunately for you, I've things that must be seen to. Farkas, have you anything to add to that long list of to-do's?"

Eleni looked over at the dark-haired man - a tall man with bulging muscles. He was huge, really. He was rugged-looking and could have been scary, but when she looked into his eyes, she saw differently. His eyes were bright and kind. She felt something else, too. It didn't come from Farkas as much as it did Sahana, but it wasn't her either. Eleni turned her head and was left staring into the eyes of yet another man.

He was older and balding. From the looks of things, he was blind in one eye. He was staring at her, though. She got that impression again, too. He had the eyes of a predator. A chill ran down her spine and made her shudder.

Fortunately, he bypassed them. She let out a sigh of relief. "Who was that?"

"Skjor," Sahana supplied. "In any case, Farkas..." She looked at the man again.

"Best talk to Aela. She was saying something about you being hers for now and I'm not trying to get on her bad side."

Sahana nodded. "Right. I'll see you later."

"Wait!"

Sahana looked at Eleni from out of the corner of her eye. "I see you've gotten yourself a blade. Talk to Athis. He might be able to help you with that." She went down the stairs.

Eleni looked up at Farkas. He was looking at her curiously now. "Oh! I'm Eleni! Sorry for intruding. Your home...it's beautiful." Her eyes darted around - something that happened when she was nervous.

"Sahana seemed to know you. Are you a skilled fighter, too? Are you looking to join the Companions?" he questioned her.

"Huh? Oh, no. I've never used a sword or a bow in my life. I couldn't possibly join." She bit into her bottom lip as she looked down at her feet.

"Not with that attitude," he agreed.

They were silent for the longest time. Or, perhaps, it just felt like it was a long time because she was having trouble standing there under his scrutiny. She could tell that was what was happening, too. He was sizing her up, judging her worth. She scolded herself immediately. She was always thinking that about other people! Surely, not everyone was so judgmental, so worried about what another could offer them...

Sahana returned, followed by a woman with flame-red hair. It looked like they'd be leaving. "Sahana-"

"Not right now," she said softly, holding up a hand to silence her. "Later. I'll be back later." Eleni sighed and nodded. "Try not to get into any more trouble, Eleni." With that, she was gone.


Chapter one: complete! Dragonborn and major OC (Eleni) introduced!