Chapter 3

Waking up with a stiff back and nightmares still fresh in my mind, I turn to see the sun has risen. Picking up my bag I exit the cave and find a path to my right leading down the mountain. Using Clairvoyance, I make my way back to Riverwood but along the way I come upon a shack with an old woman tending her garden, who I remember from playing the game was trying to start a coven of witches or Hagravens.

Killing her with an arrow to the back of her head, I steal all her alchemy ingredients I find. Picking open the cellar door I jump down and steal the rest of her alchemy supplies and many empty bottles.

Walking over to the alchemy lab I pull out and place all the ingredients I have on the table next to me. Holding my hand over the ingredients and using the magic I open the portal with, I'm able to tell what effects each ingredient has but not how they go together.

After an hour and a half of mixing and diluting the ingredients I manage to make a few potions of resist fire and fortify conjuration and damage stamina poisons. Feeling good that I've managed to make some potions myself for the first time I lie down and take a rest pulling out some bread, cheese and an ale for lunch.

Getting up I pull all the enchanted loot I've found and use the enchanting table to disenchant most of it except a necklace that increases two handed weapon damage and novice robes that increase my magicka regeneration. Taking out the soul gems I have, I find two filled petty soul gems. I lay a frost enchantment on both my Orc bow and imperial sword.

Climbing out of the cellar I head off back to Riverwood. Entering the shop around late afternoon, Camilla is the first to greet me and asks excitedly, "did you get the claw back?" "yeah, where's Lucan?" "oh, he's at the inn I'll go fetch him for you" "thanks." Quickly taking out the claw and some items to sell I sit down and wait for Lucan to get back.

Suddenly bursting in and making me jump is Lucan who shouts in delight "YOU'VE GOT MY CLAW BACK, OH THANK THE DIVINES FOR SENDING YOU." "How much trouble did you have getting it back?" he asks quietly. "The bandits weren't the main problem, it was the draugr that gave me a hard time" I explain to him. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect them to go that far in the tombs" he says sincerely, "anyway here's a reward for troubles and a bonus as an apology", he says handing me a big pouch of gold and a spell tome. After selling off the rest of the gear and head over to the Sleeping Giant inn.

Walking over to Orgnar I ask, "could I get a room for the night?" "talk to Delphine for a room, she's over at the alchemy table behind you, all I'm good for is food and rumours" he chuckles. "Well then, what rumours do you have?" I ask him while grinning myself. Suddenly he loses the smile and becomes serious and quietly says "there's been whispers. Of a boy, up in Windhelm. Name of Aventus Aretino. He's been trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood." Faking a look of fear, I ask him "any other rumours that don't send a chill down my spine." "Well there's that Shrine of Azura that the dark elves built ages ago south of Winterhold. Supposedly quite a site to see." "Now that's better and less creepy" I say. "Anything else" I ask. "No, but I do have a bounty letter the Jarl put out a few days ago" handing me the bounty letter from under the bar. "Alright then, thank you" "no problem." Turning away from the bar I ask Delphine for a room "20 gold" she says. Handing her the gold she shows me to my room and walks away.

Lying down in bed I read the bounty letter which tells me to get rid of all the bandits at a place called Halted Steam Camp and learn the spell Frostbite. Settling down in bed I say to myself "I could get used to this type of life I think" before drifting off to sleep.

Waking up at dawn I leave the room and buy some apples cheese and ale for breakfast. Getting up to go I ask Orgnar "do you have any empty potion bottles, Blisterwort and wheat?" "yeah." Buying them from him I spend the next 20 minutes mixing the ingredients to make some minor healing potions. Once outside I put my helmet on and walk to Whiterun.

After four hours of walking, using Clairvoyance so I don't get lost and killing two packs of wolves I reach Honningbrew Meadery just as storm clouds start to darken . Picking up the pace I start to run until I see a Giant being attacked by the companions. Drawing my sword, I run and plunge it in the back repeatedly while one of the warrior women swing a battle-axe in its throat bring it down.

Pulling my sword out of its back I wipe it on the Giants loin cloth and sheath it when Aela walks up to me and says, "you handle yourself pretty well, you would make a decent shield brother." "Joining the companion's aye. Might be a good idea to get some more training." I say "Good, you're a smart one who wants to learn and not just rush into battle, not many of them in our ranks." She laughs loudly. "Go speak to Kodlak Whitemane up at Jorrvaskr, he'll decide if you're worthy enough to join." With that the three companions turn to leave back to Whiterun

Letting them go ahead of me, I take a few minutes cutting off the Giants toe for alchemy later. Once finished I jog to the gates of Whiterun but the guards block my entry to the city and say "halt, city's closed with word of Dragons about. Official business only." "I have news about the attack from Helgen and Riverwood calls for aid." "Riverwood is in danger too? The Jarl is in Dragonsreach, at the top of the hill, go let him know."

Once the guards unlock the gate for me the first thing I notice when walking in is a tree in the middle of the street in front of the blacksmith. Walking up to Adrianne the blacksmith I ask her if she needs any help around the forge, when she asks me if I've ever made anything I tell her no. Five hours pass and the sun starts to set when she finishes teaching me to smith and sharpen an iron dagger, make and strengthen a hide helmet and my iron armour. Thanking her I go to the Bannered Mare to get a room for the night.

Before I'm able to walk in Brenuin the beggar walks up to me asks "can you steal a bottle of Argonian Ale for me new comer, I'll make it worth your while." "How can you do that, I doubt you have anything I want." I say quietly. He quickly shows me a powerful healing potion and says "I 'found' it in the temple, it's yours if you get me the Ale."

With a quick nod, I calmly walk in to see a guard and Jon Battle-Born arm wrestling and everybody surrounding them and placing their bets. Carefully sneaking in the side room, I steal the bottle and get out. Giving Brenuin the Ale I get the potion and he says, "thanks friend." Walking back in to the inn I ask Hulda for a room, handing her the gold she shows me to my room upstairs, thanking her I go to bed.

Waking up near midday I quickly grab something to eat from Hulda and make my way to see the Jarl. Coming to the doors of Dragonsreach the guards ask me "what business do you have in the Jarls court?" "I'm here to deliver a message from Riverwood concerning the dragon attack at Helgen." With a nod to each other the guards push the doors open and I walk inside.

The first thing I notice is how warm it is inside, I never really noticed how cold it was, probably thanks to dads Nord heritage. Noticing what I've just thought I realise that I'm half Nord and Half Breton and not for the last time I curse Alduin for ruining my life. Walking up the stairs I see servants sweeping, a large fire pit in the middle of the room with two long dining tables on either side and at the far end I see Jarl Balgruuf. Moving towards him I stop when his guard a dark elf with jet black hair named Irileth comes toward me with her sword drawn.

"What's the meaning of this? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors" she says menacingly. I've got news about the dragon attack on Helgen for Jarl Balgruuf" I say. "Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come with me, the Jarl will want to speak with you personally." Sheathing her sword, she turns around back to Balgruuf whispering in his ear while I walk up to him.

Jarl Balgruuf was a muscular, intense-looking man who looked to be in his late thirties to early forties. His hair was a deep almost gold blonde and a scar down the right side of his face. A golden circlet encrusted with jewels surrounds his forehead. His tunic looked to be made from the finest of materials and wearing a cape made of fur on top of it.

Speaking in a deep and commanding voice "so, you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"

"Yes, my lord, the dragon attacked Helgen and razed it to the ground, it headed this way and that was about 3 days ago now." "By Ysmir" he whispers, Irileth was right! What do you say now, Proventus?" turning to him. "Do we trust in the strength of our walls, against a dragon?" Irileth steps forward and says, "we must send troops to Riverwood at once, there in the most immediate danger." "But my Jarl, Siddgeir will see that as an aggression, he'll think we've joined Ulfric and are getting ready to attack him."

"Enough." He shouts. "I'll not sit idly by while a dragon burns my Hold and slaughters my people." "Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." "Yes, my Jarl" she replies. She salutes and bows before leaving. "If you'll excuse me, my lord I'll return to my duties" he says stiffly, bowing before he leaves. "that would be best" he says demandingly.

Turning back to me, he smiles and says "well done young man, you sought me out on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a great service, and I won't forget it." Rising from his chair he goes over to a nearby chest with two guards. Opening the chest, he takes out a suit of heavy steel armour and hands it to me. "Please, take this as a small token of my esteem" he insists.

"Thank you, my lord." I say, bowing. "There is another thing you could do for me" Balgruuf says quickly. "Suitable for someone of your unique talents, perhaps? Come let's find my court wizard, Farengar. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and…rumours of dragons."

Following Balgruuf to a room set to one side of the hall he calls out "Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help with your project. Go ahead and fill them in on all the details."

Farengar, a very slim man, not much older than Balgruuf, nods and bows as he leaves. "so, the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me" he starts. "Oh yes, he must be referring to my research on the dragons. Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me." With that I pull the Dragonstone out of my pack. "Oh, is this what you mean", I say innocently handing him the stone slab.

"Oh," he says surprised. "The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow! You already found it!" "you are a cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way." He says quietly while studying it.

"I've found the tablet for you, what happens now?" I ask quickly

"Ah" he smiles. "Well, that is where your job ends and mine begins. The work of the mind, you see. Sadly, not as noticed in Skyrim- "

Suddenly Irileth runs in shouting "Farengar, a dragon has been sighted near the western watchtower! Jarl Balgruuf wants to speak with you right now!" Turning to me she says, "you better come as well" before running upstairs.

"A dragon" Farengar says excitedly, "how exciting! What was it doing?"

"I'd take this more seriously if I were you," she says harshly. "If it does attack Whiterun I don't know if we can stop it."

It takes almost fifteen minutes to take my old armour off put it in the portal and put my new steel armour on.

"Ah, there you are young man, and I see you took the time to put your new armour on, good. I'm afraid there's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help once more. I need you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dammed beast. You survived Helgen, which means you've got more experience with dragons than anyone else here.

Biting my tongue, I was tempted to give him a word that my only experience with a dragon was running for my life, not fighting the cursed things.

"I haven't forgotten the service you did for me in retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar. I've instructed Proventus that you are now allowed to purchase property within the city." With a nod to one of the guards, they bring me an enchanted suit of iron armour. "And please accept another gift, I know it's not as strong as your old armour but it's enchanted so you may have some use for it."

"One last thing Irileth, this isn't a 'death or glory' mission. I need to know what we're dealing with alright.

"Don't worry, my lord, I'm the very soul of caution." She says assuredly but with a smile on her face. Heading down the stairs, I see Farengar sitting at his desk and I ask him "what spell books and filled soul gems do you have for sale?" looking at me surprised he says, "so you're a mage, as well are you?" getting up he walks over next to the enchanting table and waves his hand. Suddenly a chest appears out of nowhere. Seeing the look on my face while getting the things I asked for he says, "invisibility spell, and a paralysis rune so I can stop any thieves or kids touching my things." "what soul gem and spell do you want?" he asks, "candlelight and a common soul gem" I say. Once the purchase is done I quickly learn the spell, disenchant the iron armour and put an increase health enchantment on my steel armour.

Walking out of Dragonsreach and through the busy markets I make it down to the gate where Irileth has finished gathering the finest guards she could get. "We're so dead" one guard says quietly. "Alright men let's move out" she says and we leave. Out of the city, past the drawbridge and stables, we turn right down a cobblestone road.

Reaching a small outcropping of boulders Irileth calls us together and says "I can't see the dragon right now but it definitely has been here. Spread out and look for survivors. We need to know what we're dealing with." Putting my helmet on and unslinging my bow we spread out.

Walking to the tower a guard runs out scared out of his mind and yells "NO! stay back! It's still here somewhere! Hroki and Tor got grabbed when they tried to run for it."

"LOOK OUT" one of the guard's yell "here it comes." Taking a resist fire potion out of my pack I drink it and get ready for the fight of my life.

I pull an arrow out of its quiver and wait for the dragon to get close. Flying in front of Irileth I fire arrow after arrow in the beast with the other guards while only a few manage to hurt it Irileth's lightning spell manages to more damage. Retreating to the air it wheels around and strafes the ground with a stream of fire catching me and Irileth. Thanks to my potion the fire stings but doesn't do much damage. Looking at Irileth it didn't seem to do much damage to her, probably due to her inborn fire resistance.

After what seems like forever, the dragon is finally too injured and too tired to fly anymore. I sling my bow, cast Oakflesh and summon my familiar then ready my Warhammer and charge in. With my familiar keeping it busy for a second I use the wing as a ladder and climb up on its back and move to its head. With all my strength, I bring the Warhammer down on its head and with a final weak roar it speaks in a language I barely understand "Dovahkiin, No! is all I hear before the dragon goes down for good.

The guards surround the broken and bloody beast and let out a roar of cheers, one of them slapping me on the back.

"Never seen someone fight like you!"

"you're a true warrior, you are!"

"I can't believe that we really killed a dragon!"

Suddenly everyone pulled away as the dragon ignited from within. Staring in awe at the soul erupting from the dragon's body, consuming me without heat. With the dragon soul flowing into my body I feel a more powerful euphoria then when I absorbed the knowledge of the word wall at Bleak Falls Barrow.

Once the dragon soul settles down I suddenly know a lot more than I did a few moments ago. The dragons name was Mirmulnir, which means 'Allegiance Strong Hunt' he was in hiding since the Merethic era and the word that I read FUS means force. Looking up at the late afternoon sky I shout FUS.

Coming back to myself, I see everyone standing around in awe, a guard saying that I'm dragonborn, like the heroes of old. Irileth voiced her doubts saying we didn't need some mythical hero to kill a dragon.

I quietly walk over to the dragon and pick off some loose pieces of bone and scale and a pouch of gold that it ate but leaving the guards armour I head back to Whiterun.

Getting to the gates of Whiterun just as the sun sets a set of voices envelop the air causing thunder and the ground to shake with one word "DOVAHKIIN!"

"Fucking hell" I whisper to myself as I enter the city and jog up to see the Jarl, "they could've sent a letter."

Talking to the Jarl I feel slightly annoyed that he praises only me in taking down the dragon, I wouldn't have been able to do it without help. "Go to High Hrothgar, see what the Greybeards can teach you" says the Jarl finally winding down. "You've done me and my people yet another great service Dragonborn" he says. "It gives me great pleasure to give you the title of Thane of Whiterun. It's the highest honour I can give you that's within my power.

With a wave of his hand Balgruuf summons a guard to hand me the axe of Whiterun. An orc war axe that's enchanted with a stamina drain. "I present you with this war axe from my personal armoury as a token of my esteem, and I'm assigning Lydia as your personal housecarl. We are honoured to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn."

"Well, Proventus back to managing our Hold, eh? Letting that be my dismissal, I walk down the stairs and almost collide with Lydia.

"Sorry my thane. It's alright Lydia let's just go to the bannered mare to have dinner and rest for the night, then we can discuss everything I need to do, alright. That sounds fine by me my Thane."

And with that we eat a meal of venison, cheese and carrot and wash it down with some Black Briar Mead. Before heading up to my room I ask Lydia "do you want me to pay for a room for you? No need thane I have a bed roll I can use. Are you sure? Quite sure, my thane". Once I lay in bed, all the exhaustion from today hits me at once and pulls me to sleep in a matter of seconds.