Gerdur's Request

As Ralof and I ran down the stone path, I couldn't stop thinking about that dragon. Two things troubled me. The first was the fact that the dragons must be returning and that meant the end of the world was near. The second was the strange feeling about that dragon itself. Somehow I knew I would face it again. And also about the way I heard it speak. It was like I could understand it somehow... No. That's a crazy thought. I decided to try to forget about it.

"I'm glad you decided to travel with me to Riverwood, Shad." Ralof said.

"Yeah, It would be safer to travel together, and besides I didn't think your sister would trust me if I came without you." I pointed out.

"I agree, Gerdur has always been careful to trust others who are not kin."

We continued running on the stone pathway until we came to three strange stones near the cliff. I knew what they were. Three of the ancient standing stones that dotted Skyrim's landscape. Each one was said to grant a sign or power to those who accepted them.

"Three of the thirteen standing stones." Ralof looked at them with interest.

"Yes, I'd heard of them." I said.

"Then go ahead and see for yourself what they can do." Ralof said.

I already knew which one I wanted to accept. The sign of the mage just like my father. I looked for the carved shape of an old wizard on one of the stones, and I found it. Then I proceeded to touch it and focus in my mind the acceptance of the mage knowledge. The stone started to glow and a ball of light appeared inside it. Then a ray of light shot up to the sky and I felt the knowledge enter my mind. I already felt like a stronger mage. This sign would allow me to learn magic powers faster than normal. Surely it would be useful.

"Mage eh? Well to each his own." said Ralof.

"I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father." I informed. "He accepted this sign many years ago."

It was exciting to think about that. My father had done what I had just done at this very spot years ago when he was training to become a powerful battle mage. I vowed to make him proud.

"Alright, lets keep going." I said.

"Yes, Riverwood is not far from here." Ralof informed.

As we kept running down the path, the only trouble we faced was a small pack of three wolves. I killed them quickly with my Flames.

After that we kept moving, but suddenly Ralof stopped.

"Why are we stopping, is something else wrong?" I asked quickly.

"No, I just wanted you to see that ruin up there. It's Bleak Falls Barrow. I never understood how my sister could stand living in the shadow of that place. Guess you get used to it." Ralof said as he pointed to the ruin arches across the river and up the mountainside.

"Forget that, lets go, we're very close now," He said.

We kept going a little while longer 'till I finally saw the village up ahead. It was a small, peaceful place next to the river where the mill was spinning.

As we entered the village, I saw an elderly woman claiming she saw a dragon fly over the Barrow to her grown son who didn't believe her. I wanted to tell him she was right, but that wouldn't help anyone. Besides, we didn't have time. We needed help from Gerdur.

I followed Ralof onto a wooden bridge behind the mill where we turned and saw a Nord woman working.

"Gerdur!" Ralof was joyful to see his sister. I couldn't help but feel somewhat resentful or jealous. Gods I hoped Shara was alright.

"Brother! Mara's mercy, it's good to see you!" Gerdur was very glad to see her brother alive and well. He was a Stormcloak after all.

"But, is it safe for you to be here? We heard Ulfric had been captured." She was worried as well.

"Gerdur I'm fine. I am now at least." Ralof replied. Gerdur still looked worried.

"Are you hurt? What's happened? And who is this, one of your comrades?" She referred to me. I must look like a Stormcloak since I was wearing their armor.

I hoped Gerdur would trust me.

"Not a comrade yet, but a friend. I owe him my life in fact." Ralof answered. Surely that would be enough to make Gerdur trust me.

Gerdur looked at me unsure and I nodded with a small smile. She nodded back.

"My name's Shadrin Darkbane of Solitude, good to meet you Miss Gerdur." I said respectfully.

"Likewise. Well met Mr. Shadrin."

"You can call me Shad, my friends all do." I informed her like I did Ralof before.

"Then it's good to meet you too, Shad." Gerdur said.

After a quick pause, Gerdur spoke to Ralof again.

"Brother, what's wrong, you look very shocked about something."

Ralof came close and whispered to Gerdur in case anyone else heard us.

"Gerdur, is there a quiet place where we can talk? There's no telling when the news from Helgen will reach the Imperials."

"Helgen? Has something happened?" Gerdur asked.

"Yes, but I can't speak of it here, we three must speak in private." Ralof responded.

"You're right, follow me." Gerdur said.

"Hod! Come here a minute. I need your help with something." She said to the man working on the wood sawmill structure.

"What is it woman? Sven drunk on the job again?" Hod asked a little irritated.

"Hod. just come here." Gerdur ordered.

"Wait, Ralof! What are you doing here? Uh...I'll be right down!" Hod said hastily.

Gerdur led us to a small clearing across from the sawmill where a large tree stump lay. Ralof sat down exhausted. I did too. We were both tired out because of what we had been through earlier. We were about to speak when a young boy with a dog came running up to us.

"Uncle Ralof! Can I see your ax? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?" The boy asked excitedly.

He certainly has a lot of energy and enthusiasm I thought.

"Hush Frodnar, this is no time for your games." Gerdur said strictly. "Go and watch the South road. Come find us if you see any Imperial Soldiers coming." She ordered the boy.

"Aw, mama, I want to stay and talk with Uncle Ralof!" Frodnar complained.

Then Ralof spoke up kindly to his nephew.

"Look at you, almost a grown man! It won't be long before you'll be joining the fight yourself!" He said to raise Frodnar's spirits.

"That's right! Don't worry Uncle Ralof, I won't let those soldiers sneak up on you!" Frodnar declared eagerly as he ran with his dog to the South road.

Then Hod came up to us.

"Now, Ralof. What's going on? You two look pretty well done in." He asked.

He was right. We were exhausted.

"Yes. I can't remember when I last slept," Ralof sighed.

"Now... Where to start? Well the news you heard about Ulfric was true. The Imperials ambushed us outside Darkwater Crossing. It was like they knew exactly where we'd be. That was... two days ago, now. We stopped in Helgen this morning, and I thought it was all over. They had us all lined up to the headsman's block ready to start chopping." Ralof explained.

"The cowards!" Gerdur said resentfully.

"They wouldn't dare give Ulfric a fair trial. Treason, for fighting for your own people. All of Skyrim would have seen the truth then. But then, out of nowhere, a dragon attacked!" Ralof continued.

Gerdur and Hod's eyes went wide with utter disbelief and fear.

"You don't mean, a real, live...?"Gerdur asked nervously.

"I can hardly believe it myself, and I was there." Ralof said to confirm it.

"As strange as it sounds, we'd all be dead if not for that dragon. In the confusion we managed to slip away. Are we really the first to make it to Riverwood?" Ralof asked in disbelief.

"No one else has come up the South road today, as far as I know," Gerdur answered.

"Good. Then maybe we can lay up for a while. I hate to put your family in danger Gerdur, but..." Ralof wasn't sure if he wanted to take the risk.

"Nonsense. You and your friend are welcome to stay as long as you need to. Let me worry about the Imperials. After all, any friend of Ralof's is a friend of mine." Gerdur said looking at me kindly.

She approached me and gave me a key to her house saying I could stay as long as I liked, and to let her know if there was anything else I needed.

"Thank you, Gerdur. I would like some food. And a bed for tonight would be welcome." I said with gratitude.

"That won't be a problem, I'll let them into the house and, you know, show them where everything is," Hod said to Gerdur.

"Hmm. Help them drink up our mead you mean." Gerdur mumbled. "You are most welcome Shad, but there is something you could do for me and all of us here. The Jarl of Whiterun needs to know that there's a dragon on the loose. Riverwood is defenseless. If you go to Whiterun and tell them this, I'll be in your debt." Gerdur requested.

I paused for a moment then smiled. "I will do that for you; to repay you for helping me here. I'll leave first thing tomorrow." I informed Gerdur kindly.

"Thank you Shad. You truly are a good friend to us."

The next morning I gathered provisions for the trip to Whiterun. I spent a good restful night at Gerdur and Hod's home in Riverwood. It was time for me to head out for my journey to Whiterun.

"Do you need anything else?" Gerdur asked me.

I checked through my supplies one more time. I had food, a bedroll for the night, a weapon, and enough clothing.

"Nope, It looks like I have everything. Thank you again for everything, Gerdur." "And i'll see you again soon Ralof, all of you. I'll join the Stormcloaks someday soon."

"That's great, good luck Shad, Talos guide you on your adventures." Ralof blessed.

It was official: I was now a Skyrim adventurer. I would travel all over the province.

"Thanks Ralof, and Talos guide all of you too. Farewell."

With that I left out their door and onto the stone road. Ralof gave me a map of Skyrim and marked the location of Whiterun on it. I couldn't wait to make more new friends, do tasks for others, and become strong.

This is the life I wanted to have...

And that's chapter 3. Sorry I took so long to write this. I was simply busy with other things and couldn't take the time to continue enough. I had originally planned more for this chapter, but that will have to wait for the next chapter which will be called: Bleak Falls Barrow. Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope you liked it!