My body is spinning slowly as the sticky substances binds me tightly; so tightly my body cannot express my inner panic. I can hear it. I can feel it. It's coming for me, it's...

'Scream.'

I spring up. Cold sweats dripped down my forehead. My eyes shoot from side to side. Gurdel's house. My breathing started to slow to normal.

"Are you ok?"

I jumped at the child-like voice, my hand flying to my dagger, but pausing mid way when I realised that fact: 'child-like'.

"Frodnar, you scared me..."

His eyes bored into mine. It was clear he saw my... Episode. They've been happening for the last five nights... Since Faendal and I got back from Bleak Falls Barrow. Frondar's been the only one to see me after the nightmares, even woke me up once. I told him my fears and what had happened. He had had this romantic notion of adventuring, but after I explain what had happened, he became... No less enthusiastic to becoming a Stormclock or adventuring, but more sensible about it. He had asked me to teach him something's; I laughed and directed him to my current trainers.

" How come you are scared of spiders, but not dragons?"

A cheeky grin had sneaked its way onto his lips. I laughed at this but it almost felt forced, weak.

"No idea kid..."

"Well anyway, mum wanted me to tell you she wants to speak to you, said its important."

So it was time, I was wonder how long it would take her to ask. I wonder if she hasn't clicked till now, would explain why she didn't just ask Ralof before he left for Windhelm, but then again he is a known Stromcloak solider, so then maybe not...

"Tell her I'll be out in a minute..."

With that Frodnar retreated. A sigh escaped my lips as I peeled myself from bed. I found a small vanity mirror on the bedside table. The scar left by the imperial bitch had dulled from its red whelp to a less inflated white smudge. My neck still held a faint purple mark and scratch from the spider and Faendal; I had to explain that part to Camilla before she got the wrong idea. I didn't dare look at the back of my shoulder, I could feel the contours engraved into my skin, I did not need to see them.

"Nightshade!"

"Gerdur, Frodnar told me you want to speak to me. What's so urgent you couldn't wait till I was dressed?"

I questioned her as I slipped my armour on. I never leave home without it now.

"I-I need to ask a favour, it's important."

I kept silent as I strapped on my shield to my left arm, sword already resting at my hip.

"The dragon from Helga... It, it could attack here, Riverwood. I need someone to go and inform the Jarl of Whiterun; to ask for more guards, some sort of defence against- a-against dragons!"

I slung my bag over my shoulder as I turned to smile at Gerdur.

"Point me in the right direction."

"You're coming straight back, right?"

My heart warmed at Camilla's genuine emotion behind that question.

"Probably not straight away, but I will come back at some point, I swear."

A pout edges it's way onto Camilla's face.

"We'll it better be sooner rather than later because I think I might hear wedding bells soon! And I want you to be there!"

She whispered the last part to me but glances back at Faendal; who is patiently hovering behind his new beloved.

"Try not to die."

Faendal's voice was full of his usual jest, but his smile was forced.

"With the teachers I've had I'm sure I'll be fine..."

Like hell I would be ok but I'm hoping to be alive by the end of it.

"If you follow this path up and then down the mountain you should see Whiterun, it's hard to miss..."

I turned in the direction Gerdur was pointing in. She started to walk in that direction. I gave one last smile to Camilla and Faendal before following Gerdur to the edge of Riverwood.

"If I'm not back in a week..."

"You will be... My brother saw something in you, you'll be back."

Her words brought a genuine smile to my face. With no more words shared, I took that final step out of Riverwood, and the first one on my journey to Whiterun.

_

I don't know what I had been so nervous about. The journey so far has been nothing but a casual stroll. The sun has started to set, casting a blanket of orange across the valley. Judging from the last sign I should make it to the town before nightfall. Speaking of which... over the next ridge I finally saw it. Whiterun looks much bigger in real life than it did in the game...

"RAWR!"

A loud roar from a woman cut my admiration of the city short. At the bottom of the ridge there is a group of three fighting a...

"Sweet holy mother that's one big arse giant..."

It took me a moment to gather my baring enough to think to draw my bow. Repeating Fendael's instructions in my head; I drew an arrow while breathing in, aimed, then realised on the exhale. The power behind my shot made it reach its targets shoulder. It seems distracted by my hit, looking for the person responsible, leaving it open for those fighting close combat with it. I kept firing, mainly hitting its shoulders and torso. With a mighty swing to its legs, the creature was floored and then quickly decapitated. It seems the ground team had noticed me. They stare in my direction so I take this as a sign to approach them.

"Thanks for the help back there..."

The woman with the war paint speaks up. I simply nod in recognition.

"You should join the Companions, we could use a warrior like you."

It was the man who spoke up and suddenly it clicked. These were the Companions...

"O-Oh u-um, maybe. I-I'm not very experienced..."

I stuttered out with a small shrug. They share a look, I can't tell what it is supposed to say but they simply gather their supplies and start to head in the direction of Whiterun.

"Well if you change your mind, go to Jorrvask."

And with that they left, leaving me standing in a field with a giants dead carcass... lovely.

_

With the slight delay, it was dark by the time I reached Whiterun. I was exusted but I know I had to report to the Jarl before finding some place to rest. With that in mind I march up the stairs to... shit what was the name of this hold again? Dragons breach... no reach? Fuck it does it really matter? With a shake of my head and a sign I push past the large doors and march through to the main hall. None of the gaurds even spared me a glance. Bad at thier job clearly. The first person to ntoice my presence is a dark elf. Her blue skin is a give away. Her dour face just happen to be a coincidence I think. I look past her to see the Jarl sitting on his throne speaking to someone. Before I can get any further forward, the dark elf steps in front of me.

"What is the meaning of this interuption?! The Jarl is not taking any visitors!"

Her pronuncation was flawless. Makes me sound like a common pesant... oh wait...

"Gerder from Riverwood has requested I ask for aid for their town regarding the dragon.

I simply stated. The dark elf looks suprised at my request then she forwns.

"Well I am afraid we can barely look after our own walls at the moment..."

She looked hesitant. Her eyes flew between the Jarl and I as if she was debating letting me speak to him personaly.

"I was at Helgan."

I did not explain my statement, did not needed to. Her face lit up at it.

"Come with me the Jarl will wnat to speak to you personaly."

With that said, she turned about and walked up the small set of stairs to the Jarls chair. I followed and kept my head down. No need to drag attention to myself.
The dark elf went staright offer to the Jarl and whispered in his ear. I hovered a few steps away out of respect. The Jarls eyes turned sharply to me. He was not as old as I expected, however his eyes showed he has seen his fair share of battles. Their was a wairness about them that shawn through. Can't imagine the dragons helping that either.

"So, you were at Helgen? You saw the dragon with your own eyes?"

His voice sounded like a plead, like he wanted me to say no and that it wasn't real. I could not have that approach.

"I have fresh burns on my back from its fire if you wish to see..."

My voice came out a whisper. I had meant to come in sounding strong and experinced. Instead a sound like a little school girl. Damn.

"No girl, I... I believe you."

The Jarl sighs. He stands and the dark elf leaves my side and another human joins them. They argue about the war and how people will react to the dragon and troups being sent out. The dark elf asks for help to be sent to Riverwood and I smile, however that is short lifed as the human says it is not wise due to the imperials. Bastard.

"I will not sit by while my people die and my hold burns! Irielth, send troups to Riverwood at once!"

"Yes my Jarl!"

The dark elf said and bowed. Irielth. I'll need to remember that. As she passes me she sends me a small smile and I return it. A small victory for the people. The human at the Jarls side mummers something to him and then takes his leave, leaving me and the Jarl by ourself.

"Thank you, you sought me out to inform me off this of your own inititive. Take this as my thanks..."

The Jarl steps down from his throne and reaches into the chest beside it. He pulls out a leather amour set. It is clearly too big for me, however it is to a high quailty than the current one I have. I mutter a small thank you a bow. Not really sure on the protocols wth Jarls but he smiled in response so I asume that was correct. He gestures me to follow him.

"Come, I have another small favour to ask of you. One of which a person with your talents may be able to achive. We must speak to my courtwizard, Farenger."
My eyes whidened at the request. Shit! This was about that tablet-thingy from Bleak Barrows. Did I pick it up? I picked up so much crap and I haven't had the chnace to sort it. Riverwood doesn't have a lot of traders to sell stuff to. The Jarl leads me into a small room to the side where their is a man in a hood over looking a big pile of books.

"Faregner. I belive I have found someone to help you with your... dragon project."

At the words my body twitches involenterily. The Jarl makes it sound like some creepy arse experiement. Faregner looks me up and down, then frowns. He doesn't seems impressed by me but at least he doesn't question his Jarls judgement.

"Good. I need a stone tablet retrived from Bleak Fall Barrows I..."

I hold up a hand to stop him. He frowns at me as I dump my bag on his tabe and rake through my bag. It takes me a minute but lucky for me, there at the bottom, a stone tablet.

"Is this what you speak of?"

Both of the men stare at me in awe.

"How did you..?"

It was Farenger to ask the question. I shrugged my shoulds.

"A thief stole something of my friends. They were hiding out in the ruin so I decided to explore it and take whatever I find to sell... Good thing I didn't sell this though."

The Jarl lets out a loud chuckle.

"You keep suprsing me friend! Whiterun is in your debt!"

It was nice to see the Jarl so cheery. The wearniess in his eyes had lifted ever so slight at the news.

"A meal and a warm bed is all I require now I think. Do you know where I may be able to find one?"

I was careful with my wording. Not wnated to flat out ask and be rude but imply of what I need. The Jarl took the bait.

"No problem! My stewerd can set you up with a room and you are welcome to a meal in the great hall. It is the least I can do!"

My shoulders sag as I let out a sigh of relief and thank the Jarl. I spare a glance at the wizard but he is already muttering to himself about the stone. The Jarl calls over the human ass from earlier. He gives me the stink eye but none the less follows the Jarls request and shows me to my room. We walk up a flight of stairs in silence. He gesture to the door on this left and walks away. Rude bastard. I step inside the room. It is small, tiny actually, but the bed looked a lot comfier than Gerders spare one. I dump my bag on the bed, should be save in the Jarls compound, and head to the great hall. Food and sleep that the plan because if I what happens next is... I shudder and start to sweat at the thought. Nevermind, tonight I eat and sleep.