Author's notes
I haven't really enjoyed some of the fanfics dealing with the dragonborn being very naive and in some cases borderline incompetent when it comes to anything outside of a fight. This isn't to put anyone's stories or ideas down but merely my feelings on the subject. Because of this I decided to write my own story where, I believe, I have crafted a character that is not innocent or naive in hardly any way. Another problem I have seen is that too many stories (again my personal feelings on the subject, which you are free to disagree with) place sole reason for the dragonborn being a hero simply because they are the dragonborn. As a result I will try and make it so that my character is renowned in her own right and will later on in the story use her dragonborn abilities more as a compliment rather than a crutch or the reason she is a hero. Lastly the character I am creating has her own wants and needs and I will try and rectify some of the plot holes that I saw within Skyrim (although I am only human and will probably make mistakes) on that basis. This means that she isn't interested in saving the world and becoming a hero. She has her own goals and agendas and will only take direct action if it benefits her cause. Also this will eventually be a Lydia x (Fem) dragonborn story which will evolve rather quickly as I want to go into how the relationships is and what happens within it rather then create some elaborate story ending when they finally confess their feelings to one another. This is my first story and if you have questions feel free to PM me and I will try and get back to you within a suitable time period.
Chapter One
She'd been waiting for this day to happen. To prove herself worthy and be able to have meaning in her life. Lydia had been mad about not being able to fight the dragon that had attacked the watchtower the previous day but that was now an afterthought. The city of Whiterun was getting a new Thane, but even more important than that she was going to be the new housecarl of this Thane who had been confirmed to be a dragonborn of legend.
Lydia could barely contain her excitement. What was her new lord going to look like? Was it going to be a huge lumbering beast of a man? A fierce but sweet swordmaiden that would love nothing more than to spar with her? The possibilities were endless as she ran through all the combinations in her mind. Oh she wished that time could move faster.
That's when her breath hitched in her throat, the doors to Dragonsreach were opening and in came a solitary figure. As the figure came closer to the throne the giddy feeling in her stomach started to turn to dread. This wasn't the strapping warrior of valor that she had been expecting.
The dragonborn (now clearly a female) was small, tiny even, by nord standards, coming in at about 5 foot 4. She had luscious deep red hair tied in a high ponytail and the deepest blue eyes that Lydia had ever seen all framed by a beautiful pale face. Her expression though was a complete mask. It showed no emotion that Lydia could discern other than slight boredom at all the proceedings She didn't wear armor but her clothes were clearly the robes of a mage and she had the presence of someone that was used to being in control and having her way. She came to a stop right in front of Jarl Balgruuf and waited silently for him to speak and as Lydia noticed without bowing.
"You've done a great service for me and my city, Dragonborn. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. I assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl, and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of office. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn."
After a few seconds of silence the Dragonborn replied with a clear, melodious voice, "Thank you for the honor Jarl Balgruuf however I insist that you keep your weapons. I have no need for such things. Now if there is nothing else I will be taking my leave"
A shocked silence permeated through the hall. This person had just turned down a gift from the Jarl! The feeling of dread was spreading further down into Lydia's belly. This was the women that she had to serve? An arrogant mage without a care for her superiors?
"Which of you is Lydia?" the voice rang out again.
Lydia gulped and stepped forward to address the Dragonborn, "Honor to you my thane."
"There is no need for such flowery words," the harsh reply came as the Dragonborn stared at Lydia sizing her up. "Come we're leaving."
Without another word the Dragonborn turned her back and started walking out as Lydia hurried to catch up. The pair left Dragonsreach and traveled out towards the lower levels of the city where Breezehome was situated. Lydia barely had time to take in her surroundings once entering before the Dragonborn had turned and leveled a bone chilling glare at her.
"What is a housecarl specifically?"
Lydia, still in a daze from the icy azure pools, could only look shocked at the Dragonborn.
"The Jarl said that you are my housecarl. What is your job? What is your purpose?"
"W-w-well I'm swore to serve you and protect you with my life," Lydia stuttered. How could someone so small command so much authority she wondered as she stared down at the Dragonborn whose name she still did not know.
The Dragonborn stared at her for a few more seconds before responding, "So that means that your first loyalty is to me then correct?"
"I guess so…"
A smirk grew on the Dragonborn's face,"Good from now on your only loyalty is to me."
Lydia was again shocked, as seemed to be her standard response when she dealt with this women. Not to mention that she was beginning to dislike this arrogant Dragonborn more and more. So what if she had mystical powers, could steal the souls of dragons, and was guaranteed to be a hero? She didn't have to be so self-righteous and pompous about it!
"Well who ARE you? I can't very well be loyal to someone who I know nothing about or what their goals are," Lydia smirked, she was not some brute that could just be ordered around like a measly pet. She regret her decision as soon as she saw the look of utter amusement on the Dragonborn's tiny girl was mocking her!
"I suppose that I do owe you at least that much. I am Weiss (pronounced vaɪs or in laymen's terms vice) Asgaldan, a senior instructor of destruction magic at the College of Winterhold and a certified master in the field. Like all Masters I am very much able to use the other schools of magic and proficient in all forms of it. I achieved my mastery four years ago at the age of seventeen. My goal currently is to find artifacts of magical significance. Does that answer enough of your questions?"
Lydia was dumbstruck by this answer; how could someone so young be a senior instructor and master of magic? No wonder she had an aura of confidence surrounding her. She was a high ranking member of a group that answered only to themselves. As Lydia gaped openly at her a small but somewhat cruel smile pulled at Weiss' lips.
"As I see there are no more questions I have to ask is that the best armor that you have?"
Lydia's mouth snapped closed and she glanced down at her armor before replying, "Wha- why? What's wrong with what I have?"
"Are you serious? What is NOT wrong with it is the better question. It's made of inferior material, I am not even a smith and I know that much, and frankly it looks to be old enough to have been used a few generations ago. The shield is so dented that it looks like it will fall apart at any moment and don't even get me started on the shape of that sword. It looks to all have been taken care of well, so there's no fault in your upkeep, but what you have on is not what you want to have when charging into battle. That looks like something that should be sold to a theater production to be turned into a costume, so I ask again is that the best armor that you have?"
That scathing remark cut deep into Lydia's core and her face burned as she looked down in shame and whispered,"Yes."
It wasn't her fault that she didn't have the best armor or the finest weapons. That all cost money and it's not like her previous job gave her much in that regard. Being a warrior of the Jarl, if you could even call that her job, didn't pay much in the way of gold. it brought her perks: a roof over her head, place to stay, people to spar against. And it wasn't as if she had any family money to fall back on because she'd used it all to restore her great great great grandfather's old set. This was her one chance to move up in the world and it all hinged on the whims of the cocky women in front of her. Lydia could feel tears pricks at the corner of her eyes as she tried her hardest to keep herself together. She was going to be sent back she knew it and her dreams would be over before they had even begun.
"How old are you?"
Lydia's head snapped up as a single tear slid down her face, "W-w-what?"
Weiss' glare returned back in full force before she could could suppress it,"Don't make me repeat myself how old are you?"
"I'm nineteen," Lydia sniffled as she tried to hold back anymore tears from coming out.
"Good that means as a female you're done growing."
What was going on? Why was Weiss asking about her age? Was she going to take pity on her? Wait where was she going?! Weiss had walked to the front of the house and had opened the front door before looking back at Lydia.
"Well are you coming? We don't exactly have all day now do we."
Obediently Lydia followed behind Weiss as they made their way back up through the city. Initially Lydia was scared that she was indeed being given back until they started heading up the steps towards Jorrvaskr, which calmed Lydia down but made her question what was happening. There was no way a mage, no matter how accomplished, would ever be accepted as a member of the companions so what were they doing there?
Weiss lead her around the building and up even more steps until they came to a huge forge burning brightly in the midday.
"Are you Eorlund Grey-Mane," Weiss asked in her no-nonsense, driving tone.
"Yes now what do you want? I have a lot of steel to shape," apparently the legendary blacksmith was not impressed with being disturbed so abruptly.
Unfazed Weiss pressed on,"I've heard that you're one of the best blacksmiths in all of Skyrim, so I come as a client. I need you to make a complete set of ebony armor and shield in perfect quality as fast as you can. Price isn't an issue so what is the estimation?"
At this point Lydia was now going to expect every conversation Weiss had to end with stunned silence by the sheer audacity of what she said. At least Eorlund was just as stunned as she was.
"What was it that you wanted miss," Eorlund stuttered as he tried to comprehend exactly what Weiss was asking for.
"I asked how much it would cost and how much time it would take for a full suit of ebony armor complete with shield in perfect condition," she responded in a tone that clearly conveyed the annoyance she felt of having to repeat herself.
"Ummm well normally a standard set with shield would be about 3550 septims and perfect condition would be an extra 1000 septims but if you want it as fast as possible that would increase the price to about 5350.
"And how long would it take?"
"About 5 weeks give or take. The process will be made easier if I had the intended recipient with me when I make the armor instead of trying to work off of measurements alone."
"Fair enough. Lydia," at the sound of her name she lurched forward still unable to comprehend exactly what was happening. "You will stay with him for as long as it takes to create the armor. I have some things that must be attended to so you may sleep in the guest room in Breezehome."
"Y-y-yes my thane," was Weiss buying a full set of new armor just for her?
Weiss gave Lydia an incredulous look before saying,"None of that thane crap. You know my name now and I expect you to use it. Now as for your payment."
Weiss reached into a small pouch on her belt and muttered a few words under her she started taking handful after handful of coins out until there was more than a small pile at the feet of the blacksmith, making his eyes bulge before walking back towards Breezehome.
"Prepare tonight," Weiss called over her shoulder, "You start first thing tomorrow morning."
When Lydia decided that they were a good ways away from the blacksmith she started to question Weiss,"Why did you do that? Did you know how much money you just spent?! What you could have done with that much? And how did you get all that money in that pouch in the first place because there is no possible way that small thing could hold that many coins and-"
"Are you quite done yet," Weiss asked in an amused but exasperated tone. When Lydia didn't say anything Weiss decided to take her chance and press on. "You needed new armor so I bought you some. As for the expense, the way I see it, you are my personal bodyguard. In essence I own you. I cannot have my personal guard using substandard equipment, and money has no real consequence to me. As for the pouch it's linked to a stockpile of gold coins that will transport the exact number of coins I desire based off what I tell it. Now here's the key to the house. Try not to burn the place down."
And with that Weiss turned towards the gate and walked out into the late afternoon.
Lydia sighed as she went back into the house and sat down. Well, she thought, it may have not started out as she had dreamed it would, but at least she was still here. And it some ways it was even better, after all never in Lydia's wildest dreams would she receive a custom suit of first class armor by a stunningly beautiful lady.
Lydia jerked up. Where had that thought come from?! She hadn't been attracted to a girl since her young teenage years. Plus Weiss may be stunning but her personality and attitude where such a pain that there was no possible way that she could be attracted to the prickly Dragonborn. Could there?