Applauses for my betas thefluffyone93, Fragment of ring and CryptIXeeper.

Under strange skies

Chapter three

The road ahead of me

Nice day, khundakar, we have your table ready, the divinities are already waiting.

Nice day, suchi-el, the world-nirn cannot be mapped, so forward your dismissals to the eight givers.

Afternoon, Ae, I hope all is well in the world of modern folklore.

Afternoon, Aurbis, the reports are true, there is a type of zero still to be discovered, all critics agree.

'A Type of Zero Still to Be Discovered' - a traditional Dwemeri children's rhyme -

"Now I know you are just pulling my leg!" He answered, falsely offended, "I can believe the flying ships. I can even believe the dragon riders! But, a lion with bat-wings? That's just silly."

"Of course not!" She insisted, "My mother's familiar is a manticore. I wouldn't lie about that!"

Of that nature had been the conversation that Louise and Hadvar started little more than an hour ago.

After escaping the ruins of Helgen and a rushed snack consisting of the little bread and cheese that the legionnaire had managed to acquire inside the fortress, the two companions started to tell each one's respective life stories. Hadvar had started, telling Louise about the Empire, Skyrim, the Great War and the Civil War. She had done her part telling him about Tristain, Halkeginia and Reconquista, omitting the more uncomfortable details about her experiences at the Academy. It was when she started explaining Albion's peculiar geography that Hadvar's eyes opened wide, and what followed was a long explanation about everything Louise knew about the inner working of the flying ships. The conversation inevitably focused on their military applications.

"Easy, easy, I believe you. Enough madness happened already in one day for something like bat-lions and four legged dragons to surprise me." He said snickering.

Louise wasn't sure if she should have felt insulted or not. But she accepted that that was simply Hadvar's sense of humor. A very bad one, in her opinion.

"You are just trying to make me feel better." She grumbled, "If you are not going to believe me just say so to my face." Crossing her arms, Louise got past him, giving her back to her companion.

"Hey, Louise, calm down." Said Hadvar, this time with true concern, "I was just kidding."

He sped up to reach her. But before catching up, Louise turned around and Hadvar could see she had drawn a big smile on her face.

"Me too."

He didn't want his laughs to attract unwelcome attention, so he remained quiet.

"Come on. I'll feel better once we're under cover in Riverwood."

Together they continued with their path. Louise's legs were still killing her, but the more relaxed (or at least less frenetic) march they had adopted, did wonders to alleviate her sore muscles. She couldn't dismiss either the fact that, mid descent, the snow had given its place to solid ground and greener pastures. With the flowers and the little wildlife she could see in the distance, Louise thought that it would be a wonderful place for a short stroll on horseback.

After surpassing a small hill, and behind a last group of trees, the mountains opened into a huge valley crossed by a river with crystalline water. Louise came to a stop, mouth agape.

"Wow."

"Impressive view, isn't it?"

Just to the north she could see a small town with smoke coming out of the chimneys. It looked like a nice place, but what had really captured the young girl's attention had been the majestic mountains to the west, and the impressive constructions at the top of one of them.

"What's that?" She asked, pointing the ominous structures.

"The ruins up there? That's Bleak Falls Barrow."

"Really?" She asked incredulous, "That's how they are called? Who gave them that name?"

"No idea, someone that didn't want people to go up there I guess. When I was a boy, that place always used to give me nightmares. Draugr creeping down the mountain to climb through my window at night, that kind of thing. I admit, I still don't much like the look of it."

"What's a Draugr?"

"An undead." Louise shivered visibly, "But do not confuse them with zombies, I once made that mistake in front of an imperial battlemage and she spent a whole afternoon explaining to me the difference. I forgot everything the next morning." Hadvar didn't find it necessary to clarify he had woken up in that very mage's bed.

The little town of Riverwood was certainly lovely, with an ample main street and comfortable wooden structures in the same style Louise had seen in Helgen. She could see that not everyone was asleep, as there was some movement inside some houses, but at the late hours of the night the pair had arrived, the streets were empty.

Following Hadvar through several small passageways, Louise finally found herself in front of a big building of stone and wood. Next to it a forge had been installed.

"This is the house of my uncle Alvor." Hadvar explained. He stepped forward and knocked the door vigorously.

"Who is it?" Answered a harsh, female voice from the inside.

"Sigrid, it's me, Hadvar! Open up, please."

A few moments passed before the door opened and the woman Hadvar had called Sigrid came from inside it. She was in her mid or late forties and had brown hair. She gave her nephew a big hug.

"Hadvar what happ… by Mara! You are a mess! Are you all right?"

"It's a long story, aunt. My friend and I," He said pointing at Louise, "almost didn't make it out of Helgen alive. Is Alvor here?"

"At the tavern, but what happened? We heard there was an attack on Helgen. Were the Stormcloaks behind it?" She asked in whispers, visibly worried.

"It's more complicated than that. I ask you to get some food ready while I go for Alvor, I'd like to tell this story only once. Can you look after Louise until we get back?"

In hindsight, accepting to take care of the girl hadn't been the best of her ideas, but Sigrid had always felt a lot of affection for Ana's son and couldn't say no.

That's why she now found herself in the current mess.

"It's a giant lion with bat-wings."

"That's so awesome!"

The spoiled girl not only had utterly refused to help in the kitchen; that it wasn't 'proper of her' she had said, but also had driven her mad with stories about some foreign kingdom Sigrid had never heard about (and she considered herself more knowledgeable than the average Nord). The worst part was when Dorthe, woken up by the noise, decided to climb the stairs to see what was happening. It was already difficult to try teaching gardening to a daughter that had the dream of becoming Skyrim's greatest blacksmith. It should had been obvious that hanging out with a girl armed and armored like a legionnaire would only serve to fill her head with more crazy ideas.

"Dorthe, dear, why don't you help me setting the table?" The mother asked in the most diplomatic tone possible.

"But mother, Louise is about to tell me about the flying island!" The younger girl pouted.

"It's true, we are talking, but I must say that your daughter is a fantastic hostess. It's nice to meet such an educated country-girl." Said the girl that seemed to believe she was the High Queen herself.

"See mother? I can't help you if I have to take care of the guests."

"Fine! You go and play with your friend. Your father and I are going to have a talk later."

It was at that moment that the door burst open and the happy voice of the mentioned father, a big man with an equally big belly, greeted the occupants. Hadvar entered behind him.

"Sigrid! Love of my life! How are you?"

"Don't you sweet talk me, Alvor. Can you help me with our daughter?"

What followed was a long, long argument between the two parents, each one blaming the other for spoiling their daughter. At first Louise got worried, but Dorthe reassured her saying that was a daily routine at her house.

With dinner served and the discussion left for later, the family sat at the table. The meal was a strange mixture of meat, cabbage, potatoes and several other vegetables. Normally Louise would have complained about such a simple dish, but as soon as she sensed that delicious aroma, her belly took over and, spoon at hand, she got down to the job of devouring her portion.

Alvor, seated at the head of the table, decided it was time to get some answers from his nephew.

"Now, then, boy. What's the big mystery? The last time we heard from you, you had been assigned to General Tullius' guard. Now you appear at our doorstep with a princess or something like that…"

"I'm not the princess!"

"A Count's daughter or whatever! It's all the same thing!" Louise got red with fury, but decided that eating was more important than arguing with that uneducated commoner, "And you look like you lost an argument with a cave bear. What happened in Helgen?" Alvor finally asked.

The legionnaire swallowed the spoonful of food he had gotten to his mouth and set the spoon aside.

"Well, I don't know where to start." He took a sip of water from his cup to clear his throat "With Louise we met this morning, she can tell you her story better than me." The girl nodded with her head while finishing her own food, "We were about to execute Ulfric when we were attacked... by a dragon."

For several seconds the table went silent.

"A dragon? That's... ridiculous. You aren't drunk, are you boy?"

"He is telling the truth!" Exclaimed a furious Louise, "That thing was real!"

"Husband." Sigrid interjected "Let him tell his story."

"I'm sorry." Said Alvor embarrassed "Please, nephew, continue."

"Not much more to tell. This dragon flew over and just wrecked the whole place. Mass confusion. I don't know if anyone else got out alive. We two almost got killed several times."

"Maybe the Gods smiled to us and that thing ate Ulfric."

"I doubt we are that lucky, uncle. It attacked just when we were about to execute him. I believe it was rescuing him." Said Hadvar, somber at the prospect.

"Do you believe the Stormcloaks somehow found one to help them?"

"No." The voice of Louise startled them. She remained thoughtful, but finally decided to speak "Hadvar, I didn't tell you this, but I saw Ulfric after the attack."

"What? Where?"

"Inside one of the towers. I… ran for cover and found him there. The dragon blew up part of the tower and killed one of his rebels. It almost killed him too."

"Are you sure?" Asked a concerned Alvor, "Maybe it was a trick."

"I know exactly what I saw! He was as surprised of the attack as everyone!"

The men remained quiet for a while.

"If that's true and the dragon is someone else's servant, thing will just get more complicated."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I need to get back to Solitude and let them know what's happened. Louise needs to find a mage to get in touch with her home."

"A mage?"

"Yes… I…" Explained Louise trying to find the right words, "had an accident with a spell and ended up here."

"You mages always make a mess of everything." Said an irritated Sigrid "Anyway, there isn't a single mage in all Riverwood."

"Doesn't old Hilde know a thing or two about magic?"

"Would you trust that woman?"

"… Good point." Hadvar took another sip of water before continuing "In any case, we are tired. I believe we should make our plans tomorrow after a good night's sleep."

Louise couldn't agree more.

After finishing dinner, it was quickly decided that Louise would share Dorthe's room at the basement. Her room was warm and welcoming, and filled with a collection of various dolls and wooden weapons (what a strange combination) and a small bed Louise rapidly sat on to.

At first, the noble had been pleased with the idea. The girl had been very polite, showing the right behavior while at the presence of a noble.

Now Louise just wanted her to close her mouth.

"Papa says I'm not ready for weapons, that's why he keeps me making lots of horseshoes and hobnails. But one day I will make my own sword! Or maybe an axe. And then, once I start earning my own money maybe mama will stop bothering me with all those girlish things she insists in teaching me. Or I could make my own armor and go out in adventures! I could go and kill dragons. Did you really see a dragon? What did it look like? Did it have big teeth?"

'Founder's mercy, how can she keep talking without breathing?'

"And Louise? Louise? Louise? Louise?"

"What?!" Exclaimed, feeling what was surely the beginning of a headache.

"When did you join the Legion?"

"I did what?"

"Join the Legion. That's a legionnaire's armor; everybody knows that if you use that armor is because you are with the empire." Said the girl, in a matter of fact tone.

"I didn't do anything of that sort. Hadvar gave me this armor to protect myself."

"Oh." The girl sighed, disappointed, "I was thinking I could join too. If they let you in at fourteen they would surely let me in too."

"I'm sixteen!"

"Doesn't look like it."

"Mph." She grumbled "Besides…" Louise remained thoughtful for a moment. Remembering the horrible day she just had and how she ended in that place.

"Ah?" Dorthe hurried her.

"Besides, I wouldn't join them. My loyalty is to my kingdom. To Queen Marianne and Princess Henrietta. I wouldn't sell my loyalty for anything."

"Do you miss them? Your family and friends?"

"Of course not!" She said prideful, giving Dorthe a confident smile "As the noble I am, I won't let such a small hindrance like this stop me. It's just an obstacle that I will surpass like any other."

"You're very brave Louise."

"Of course I *yawn* am!"

"Are you tired?"

"Very. It was a very long day. I just want to rest now."

"No problem! I'll bring more bed sheets."

Dorthe ran to one of her room's corners where she had a big leather trunk. She opened it and from its inside she pulled out several sheets and bedspreads.

"Done! I will make your bed and…"

"Zzzzzzzzz…zzzzz…zzz"

At some point, while Dorthe was searching through her trunk, Louise had undressed and had got very comfortable inside her host's bed. Now she was snorting peacefully.

"Aww."

Without letting that discourage her, Dorthe prepared a second bed next to the one Louise had taken over.

With a round of applauses, the assembled students celebrated the summoning of Guiche de Gramont's familiar. A giant mole that was quickly named Verdandi.

'How appropriate' Thought Louise, comparing the grotesque creature with its master. How was it possible for Montmorency to remain with that idiot? Everyone at the academy knew he chased after every girl that piqued his interest. With his attitude and way of dressing, Louise sometimes wondered if he only fancied women.

"Well done everyone! Now, is there anyone else who hasn't performed the ritual yet?" Asked Jean Colbert, one of the best professors the Academy had and a square class fire mage.

"Louise hasn't Mister Colbert." That… that voice. That Founder forsaken voice that more than once Louise had dreamed with strangling. It belonged to Kirche von Zerbst, a foreign student from Germania. Their two families had been enemies for generations, so it was natural for the two girls to be deadly rivals. Louise hated the fact that the Germanian was one of the best students of their year, a fact Kirche never failed to remind her.

"Ah, yes, please come over here Miss Valliére."

With nervous steps Louise separated herself from the multitude of students, walking towards the center of the outskirt where she was supposed to summon her familiar. But Kirche, of course, hadn't finished with her.

"I would tell you to not get nervous Valliére, but what's the point? We all know how this is going to end, don't we, Zero?"

Some students started laughing and others started whispering among themselves. Louise wasn't going to let that harlot treat her like that! With confidence, she turned to face her.

"You will see! You will all see! I'm going to summon the greatest familiar ever. My familiar is going to be the king of all dragons. You will see!"

But the answer to her bold statement was a generalized guffaw.

'Idiots, they are all idiots'

It didn't matter that she knew by memory most of the books they had studied, and several others she had taken from the library. It didn't matter that she knew more about theory, history or geography than any of them. Only the Gallian girl could compete with her! The only thing that mattered was that in her sixteen years of life, Louise de la Valliére had never been able to cast a single successful spell.

In all history, there had never been the case of a noble failing her summoning. Would she be the first one? Was she really ready for this?

'No, no and no! I will prove them what I'm capable of.'

The Germanian had summoned a magnificent salamander and the Gallian an impressive wind dragon. Louise wasn't going to be less than them.

She got in position, raised her wand and pronounced her enchantment.

"Hear my pledge Pentagon of the Five Elemental Powers! I, Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Valliére, following my fate, command you to appear before me my divine, beautiful, wise, powerful servant!"

Booooom!

A tremendous explosion, the biggest she had ever caused, throwing her backwards and forcing her to drop her wand.

There was so much light.

What had happened?

She wanted to see.

But smoke saturated the air.

Her eyes burned, her sight blurred with tears.

'What…?'

Then fire, and screams.

"What is happening?"

The smoke cleared, and she found herself surrounded by corpses. Colbert, Kirche, Montmorency and many others whom she never cared enough to learn their names.

"No, no!"

And then she saw it. She saw her familiar. A huge and repugnant dragon, black as night. That thing had killed them. Her mistake had killed them.

The dragon moved towards her, crawling over her wings because it didn't have forearms.

Louise tried to run, but something stopped her. The bloody corpse of Kirche grabbed her between its arms and with a crooked grin of pain and mockery it asked, "Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Yol… Toor… Shul!"

Louise woke up with a start. Her breath was agitated and her back was drenched with sweat.

Only a small oil burner at the corner of the room illuminated the darkness that surrounded her. At first she didn't recognize the room she was in. The walls were of crude wood and the bed was incredibly uncomfortable. Then she remembered.

"Founder."

A tiny part of her had been keeping the vain hope that everything had been just a dream. She had been hoping to simply be in bed, sick, and all this just a hallucination provoked by her feverish mind. But the pain of her tired muscles, the wounds on her hands and the smell of smoke that still followed her, were all too real.

She looked to her side and relaxed when she saw that the child Dorthe was sleeping peacefully. Her nightmare hadn't wakened her up.

After much effort Louise managed to get back to sleep; with tears rolling down her face.

The sound of steps around the house was what finally woke her up. She spent a long time looking at the ceiling, remembering the promise she had made to herself the day before about not getting out of bed.

"Louise! Are you up yet?" Called a voice from the stairs.

Louise recognized her immediately. That was Dorthe, daughter of the blacksmith Alvor.

'She couldn't have waited five more minutes?'

Hearing how her steps were getting closer Louise quickly rose up and cleared the exhaustion from her face.

"Louise, how are you?" Asked the hyperactive child, now standing right next to the bed.

"Good morning Dorthe. I find myself fine. But I'm still a bit tired and I will remain in bed a few more minutes."

"Oh, ok. Mother just wanted me to tell you that the bath is ready, but if you wish to…"

Before finishing her explanation, Louise was already on her feet, clothed and going up the stairs. Dorthe had never seen someone moving that fast before.

The 'bath' (if one could really call it like that) that Sigrid had prepared for her, was sadly much simpler than what she had been accustomed to. Here there weren't big stone bathtubs decorated with fine tiles. What she got instead was a small wooden tub, placed inside one of the ground floor's rooms, and the water looked like it had been used by several people before her. That was probably the case, she thought, disgusted. These commoners didn't have the means to heat big amounts of fresh water, so they surely just kept reheating the same water until it was useless.

'Why didn't that Sigrid woman wake me earlier?'

Completely relaxed with the steam, she barely noticed when someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Louise asked sleepy.

"It's Sigrid; I'm taking your clothes to wash them. I'm leaving a dress here for you to use in the meantime." Said the woman of the house from the other side of the door.

"Thank you!"

It was nice to be well attended to for once. No need to worry about the servant talking about 'the zero this' or 'the zero that'. Not that they ever talked loud enough for Louise to hear them, but she knew they did!

She remained there until the water got cold.

Now wearing a dress of, surprisingly, good taste, Louise sat at the table with Alvor and Hadvar.

"Well!" Said the blacksmith "Now that we're all here, we can begin."

"Aren't we going to wait for the rest?" Asked Louise.

"My dear wife is washing the clothes and Dorthe is playing with the neighbors. Besides, this mostly concerns only the two of you."

"So, what are our plans?"

"My plans," Started the legionnaire, "are to remain in Riverwood for some more days. A Khajiit caravan is in town and they told me that in two days they are parting towards Solitude. I'm going with them."

"Sound fine, but what about the mage that was supposed to help me?"

"Alvor spoke earlier with Hod, the town's lumberjack; this afternoon he is sending a load of logs to Whiterun and we organized to send you with him."

"And what am I going to do there?" The noble asked with some doubt.

"I have some friends in Whiterun." Alvor answered, "If you introduce yourself to the castle guards saying that you witnessed Helgen's destruction they will surely take you to the Jarl. Even more if you tell them that a dragon did it. Then it's just a matter of finding the court's mage Farengar. He is… an eccentric man, but he is always interested in studying the stranger cases of magic and I'm sure your case will pique his interest."

"I don't really like how that sounds." She admitted, embarrassed, "And why can't I go with the merchants too? Isn't there any mage that can help me in Solitude?"

"Well, yes, but the road is long and treacherous. Besides the Khajiit only accepted to take me because I can be useful as a guard if something goes wrong."

"Oh, please, I can take care of myself perfectly fine."

"Yes, but Louise…"

"Where are they?"

"They set camp near the river up north, just past the town's entrance." Answered the blacksmith.

"Then it's settled!" Affirmed Louise, rising from her chair "I will go talk with them and convince them to take me too." That way I won't need to part ways with Hadvar so soon.

With great speed Louise rushed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

"And what are you laughing about nephew?"

"Greetings, young customer! How can Ri'saad help you?"

"…"

"If I cannot serve you, I am sure that one of my other traders can do so."

"…"

"Was there anything you needed or is our business complete?"

Not even ten minutes later the door burst open again, and through it come a very disturbed Louise.

"Giant. Cat."

"Ah, yes, that." Hadvar received her with a smug on his face.

"Giant. Cat."

"And I understand they can talk too."

"Why didn't you tell me?!" She finally burst.

"I wanted to, but you didn't give me the time." He tried to explained, amused by Louise's state.

"What's her problem with the Khajiit?" Asked Alvor, raising a bushy eyebrow.

"For what we talk about her land, they don't have Khajiits nor Argonians there."

"What a strange place."

"You are the strange ones!" Shouted the infuriated girl, "Living alongside elves and giant cats..."

"That can talk."

If looks could kill, Hadvar would be six feet under by now.

"So." Alvor interjected, "Did you reconsider Hod's offer?"

"Yes." She answered, "I decided that I will go with the lumberjack to Whiterun."

"That's great. You better get prepared then, this afternoon you are parting."

"Yes." She said, not very excited.

The rest of the day passed in the blink of an eye.

The dress that Sigrid had lent her ended up being very comfortable for such a cheap material. From the conversations she heard, the woman had bought it for Dorthe, but the girl had completely refused to wear it. It looked like it was already difficult for her mother to convince her to dress like a girl every day.

After an abundant meal of meat and vegetables (again), Louise had tried to get a quick nap, but Dorthe had other plans and spent the afternoon asking her all sorts of questions about Halkeginia. At first Louise had found that annoying, but after a while she had to admit she really liked talking about her home country and her life with the nobility.

She might have embellished some details. But just a little.

"Louise!" Called Sigrid, coming down the stairs "I bring you your clothes. Get ready; it's time for you to leave."

"Ohhh, is it time already?" Asked a sad Dorthe, "I will miss you."

"I'm afraid it is, I must go and see that mage so he can help me with returning home."

"Wait, I know what to do!" Exclaimed the girl as she exited and dashed to one of the corners, where she had a pile of books and dolls.

Taking the moment, Louise unrobed and started to dress in her own clothes. Sigrid not only had washed them, but she also had sewed the holes and even had put leather patches onto the elbows of the shirt. It wasn't as good as new, but Louise was tremendously grateful for the gesture anyway. Her uniform was the only thing she had from Tristain. It was nice to know she would be using it for a while longer.

It was when she was about to fix her helmet that Louise noticed she had also donned the leather armor.

'I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.'

"I found it!" Shouted Dorthe.

"What did you f...?" Before finishing her question the girl had put a thick book on her hands. Louise opened it and noticed it was completely blank.

"It's a journal. When Frodnar told me that all adventurers had one I asked dad for one. But I never used it, so I'm giving it to you."

"I... eh... thanks." Said Louise, trying to sound as convincing as possible, while putting the book inside her pack.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else?"

"I'm fine Hadvar! I don't need more." Louise reassured him. Her pack had gotten very heavy with all the food Alvor had insisted her to carry. "Aren't you coming to see me off?"

"I better not. I don't have the best relationship with Gerdur and her family."

"Oh. Then I guess this is the goodbye, isn't it?"

"I suppose it is. You will take care, won't you?"

"Of course! You have nothing to worry about!"

The two friends, who had met under some very peculiar circumstances, gave each other a strong hug before parting ways.

"Bye Louise!"

"Farewell Miss Valliére, hope you find your way home."

Dorthe and Sigrid were also very polite.

'What a nice family.' Louise thought while following Alvor to the town's exit, where a huge cart pulled by four big oxen was waiting for her. The cart was loaded with logs, each one at least five meters long.

"Ah! Good afternoon!" Called a voice from the top of the pile, "So that's the famous Louise I hear so much about?"

"Good afternoon Hod!" Shouted Alvor happily.

"Good afternoon mister Hod." Louise greeted him while the lumberjack was jumping back to the ground "Can I ask you how you know who I am?"

"There aren't many girls with pink hair around these lands." He said, "Besides, Dorthe has been telling my son Frodnar some stories about you."

"Hehe, yes." She smiled a bit embarrassed, thinking about what parts of her stories that girl had told.

"Well, I leave her under your care, Hod." Louise and Alvor bade farewell. Maybe she was more affectionate than a proper noble should be towards a commoner, but she didn't care.

Louise climbed up the cart and sit to the man's right, fixing her bag between them.

"Ready to meet the capital of Whiterun Hold?"

"The most I could ever be!"

"Let's get going then!" Hod grabbed the reins firmly and the oxen started moving.

While thinking about what to do during the trip, Louise remembered she had something in her pack. After a quick search, she pulled out 'The Book of the Dragonborn', opened the first page and started reading.

…

A/N: I want to thank all my reviewers, favs and followers, and big thanks to my family that make all this possible with their continuous support.

Now, to answer some guest reviews:

Grammar Fairy (I should have done this last chapter, but I forgot): Yes, the title is a reference to an obscure concept of TES' lore.

Nyamu: For now thing will remain canon, only compensating for some gameplay mechanics. But don't worry, the train wreck will happen. Of course she will get a 'Void' book! There is a very handy book that contains all necessary knowledge, and she can acquire it for the low, low price of some sanity points.

Guest: I'm trying to make this a more lore-friendly(ish) TES fic, there won't be CHIM for anyone anytime soon.

That's all for now folks!