We made our way down the mountain side following the road that followed the river. The road opened up into a valley. A gorgeous site it was. The city of Whiterun rose up from the distance. It sat atop a large hill in the middle of the valley. The view took my breathe away. "Is this the first time you're seeing Whiterun?" Soldin asked. I nodded. The landscape was dotted with farms. It looked so cozy. "Ah! Honeymead brewery. Delicious mead. Not as good as Black Briar but good. Occasionally a beauty might be around too. If you know what I mean." He said with a nudge. Faendal made a sound that sounded like he was suppressing a laugh. I ignored the comment.
At the farm next to the brewery was a giant rampaging through the crops. A group of people were attacking it but it looked like they needed help. I rushed to help them throwing flames at the beast. An arrow whizzed by from behind me sticking into the giant's stomach. "This isn't our fight, girl!" Soldin called to me. After the few hits the giant was down.
A woman with war paint smeared across her face walked up to me. "You fight pretty well. You'd make a good shield sister."
"Shield sister?" I asked.
"We are the companions. We are a noble group of fighters." She explained.
"Sounds like a waste of time. You should just join the Stormcloaks," Soldin commented.
"Well, no one asked you." She said hotly. She looked back at me. "If you want to join, talk to Kodlak." She and the other companions left for the city.
I looked at Faendal, who put his bow away. "I just wanted to help," I said with confusion.
He shrugged, "I guess they were impressed by your initiative action"
Soldin clapped his hand on my shoulder and pushed me towards the city gate. "They call themselves noble but I guarantee you they have ulterior motives." He said, "As I said, sounds like a waste of time. If you want to do a noble cause. Join the stormcloaks. Although that archer. I'd like to get to know her." I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and shook my head. Ralof was right. He is harmless just a little off.
"I think you talk that way to seem like you get a lot of girls." Faendal commented.
Soldin raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Well, that Camilla girl spent the night at the inn last night if you catch my drift." He said with a sly smile.
"You bastard!" Faendal punched Soldin causing him to stumble a few paces. Soldin pulled out his mace. Faendal had his sword out. The gate guards were watching us. I jumped into the middle of them.
"Stop! Stop it." I commanded. "You! Stop antagonizing Faendal!" I said poking Soldin in the chest. "And you!" What should I say? Faendal did have justification to punch Soldin in my opinion. But the situation was escalating quickly. "Calm down." Soldin and Faendal stared at each other. I was afraid they would ignore me but finally Soldin lowered his mace.
"As I said before I did you a favor. That woman is no good." Soldin said turning away and heading for the gate. "Also, consider yourself lucky I respect this little elf." Soldin entered the city leaving us outside. Faendal sheathed his sword and rolled his shoulders.
"He respects you? The way he treats you? Treats all women?" He scoffed. I could only give him a sympathetic smile. I was surprised to hear that this giant nord with a deep scar running down the left side of his face and a blind eye respected me.
We followed after Soldin into the city, "He's only with us until we talk to the Jarl." I assured Faendal. i had a feeling that Faendal didn't quite believe me and honestly I wasn't so sure myself.
The city of Whiterun was cute. I loved the comfort that the city seemed to have. A small but bustling market made up the lower level of the city. I loved hearing the calls of the market stall owners. Faendal was excited to see another Bosmer at one of the stalls. They began discussing their different hunting styles and places they hunted. "Faendal. The jarl." I reminded him. He reluctantly followed up the stairs where a giant dead tree dominated the area. I'm sure it was beautiful at one time. A man in front of a statue was preaching quite loudly about someone called Talos. I've heard Ralof and Soldin both say this name. "Who's Talos?" I asked Faendal.
"He was some nord emperor who the Nords say became a god when he died. The Thalmor has banned them from worshipping him." He explained.
"Who are the Thalmor?" I asked.
"You're kidding!" He asked. I shook my head. "I'll explain it another time. When we have some free time."
Soldin waited for us at the top of the second flight of stairs. "Dragonsreach. The Jarl's quarters. Let's get this over with." Soldin said. He pushed the doors open to the palace. We were inside a grand a hall. Two long tables ran along each side of a long fireplace that sat in the middle of the great hall. Just beyond a man with blonde hair and beard sat on a throne underneath a dragon's skull. A dark elf ran up to us sword out "What is the meaning of this? Jarl Balgruuf isn't seeing any visitors."
"We were at Helgen when the dragon attacked. It was heading this way." Soldin explained. She looked over the three of us for a moment before allowing us to speak with the jarl.
"What is so important that you have to interrupt my court?" Jarl Balgruuf asked.
"We survived Helgen. It's most likely destroyed. And the dragon was headed in this direction." Soldin explained again.
"You were all at Helgen when the dragon attacked?" Jarl Balgruuf asked astonished.
Soldin made sure he knew that Faendal was not with us, "No. Only myself and the snow elf." Balgruuf's eyebrows raised at the mention of snow elf.
"Riverwood has asked for your aid, Jarl." Faendal pipped in.
"Riverwood is in trouble? Irileth, send a group to Riverwood at once!" Balgruuf commanded.
"The jarl of falkreath will think of this as a provocation-" the man standing next to the jarl started.
"Would you have the citizens of the hold defenseless?" Irileth demanded.
"Enough! I will not see my people helpless. Send guards to Riverwood at once." Balgruuf demanded. The dark elf left. "Now. You've helped my hold more than you think. There is one more thing I need to ask. Someone with your skills could help my court wizard." Balgruuf stated more to Soldin than to the two of us. He stood up and headed to a small room on the side of the great hall before we could answer. "Farengar, these people can help with your research. Good luck." He said and left.
Farengar was a weird man. He seemed preoccupied and didn't realize we were there right away. He wore robes with a hood covering most of his face. The most predominant feature of him that I could see was his mutton chops. I wasn't sure if they were intentional or if he had just forgotten to shave. "Oh! Yes, you can help me get a stone. Well, when I saw get I mean delve into a ruins where it may or may not be." He said. There was a conceited tone to his voice.
"Where is this stone? And what's important about it?" I asked.
"Ah leave the important stuff to me. The stone is in Bleak Falls Barrow. It's not too far from here."
Soldin threw up his arms in frustration. "We have to go back!"
"Wait! You mean this stone?" I asked Faendal to take the stone we had placed in his satchel and handed it to Farengar.
"The dragonstone! This is it! You're cut from a different cloth than most of the brutes Jarl Balgruuf sends me." farengar exclaimed as he took the dragonstone from Faendal.
"What about an award?" Soldin asked. Soldin didn't even want to take the stone! I thought.
"Ah, yes. A compensation. Talk to Jarl Balgruuf for that."
"Farengar!" Irileth's voice came from outside the small room. She ran in. "A dragon has been spotted! Report to Jarl Balgruuf at once! You three should come too." She said to us. We followed her up some stairs behind the throne where Balgruuf was talking to a guard.
"You're here!" Balgruuf exclaimed, "A dragon has been spotted at our watch tower. Go and kill it! You were at Helgen. Maybe you know something that can kill it." Balgruuf said with hope.
"Killing a dragon! This is more like it!" Soldin expressed. But we didn't know anything about the dragon! We ran! How can we help? It didn't make sense, I thought as Soldin ushered me out of Dragonsreach after Irileth. Faendal was always close to my side which made me feel comfort but I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. We ran after Irileth and a few guards out the city and toward the smoldering remains of the tower. We were going to attack something that could destroy a tower? That could destroy a whole keep? I felt the whole world was going mad! And Soldin looked like he was at home with this idea. Faendal seemed more unsure but there was a hint of excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"No! Get back! The dragon is still here somewhere!" A guard called out from the tower. The distinct sound of a dragon's roar echoed through the valley. "Oh, kynareth! Here it comes again!" The dragon swooped in towards the tower and shouted fire. I ran and hid behind a broken wall covering my face into my hands. I was panicking. What could I do to help? I heard the sound of stoneflesh being used. I looked up to see Faendal standing near me. Magic! My panic made me forget about my skills. I stood up and used stoneflesh as well. The dragon landed near us shaking the ground like an earthquake. Once I had my balance I ran to the side of the dragon keeping out of reach of it's giant mouth and sprayed frost at it. I felt as if nothing was happening but the dragon did seem to move more slowly so I must have been helping in some way. The tail whipped around towards me. I jumped back falling to the ground but avoiding the tail. Arrows rained down onto the beast from the dusk air. I jumped up and started spraying the frost again. I didn't know what else to do!
The dragon turned towards me. He looked right into my eyes. "Yol toor-" Oh, Auriel! This is it! I'm dead! Soldin jumped onto the dragon's head and began bashing it with his mace. The dragon tried to shake him off but Soldin clung onto anything he could somehow managing to stay on. "Back up, little elf!" He yelled at me. I ran to the dragon's side and shot fost into the dragon's eye. The dragon shook it's head but again moved more slowly. My frost must be doing that! Soldin slammed his mace into the dragon's eye. It cried out and fell for a moment.
"The dragon is weakened! Let's finish this!" Irileth called out. The guards charged at the dragon with their weapons drawn. Swords, axes, maces all stabbed and beat the dragon. I continued to spray the frost until my head began to feel light. "Dovahkiin no!" The dragon cried out as he fell at last.
"The dragon! It's dead!" The guards cheered. But something started to happen. The dragon began to glow as if it were on fire. The glowing fire felt as if it was rushing into me. I felt the power and the knowledge of the dragon entering my body. It scared me and yet seemed so familiar. Once the glowing disappeared only the bones of the dragon remained. Soldin towered over me. Was he there the whole time? He winked at me when I looked up at him.
"FUS!" He shouted. A force pushed the dragon bones further away from us.
"By the gods! The dragonborn!" The guards surrounded Soldin looking at him in a new light. As if he was a god himself. Dragonborn? The guards described to us Irileth, Faendal and I what the dragonborn was since we weren't nords.
"Dragonborn." I tasted the word. It seemed so familiar but I didn't know why.
"Dragonborn or not. Here is a dead dragon. We need to let the Jarl know about it." Irileth claimed. "You should go since you're something special to the Nords." She said to Soldin.
He shrugged and patted me on the back. "Ready to go see the Jarl, little elf?" He asked.
I shook my head. "No. I - I need to rest my head for a little while. I just want to get some fresh air out here for a while."
He patted my head and started towards Whiterun. "I'll wait for you at the Bannered Mare then. Don't forget!" He said as he walked away.
Faendal stood next to me. We watched Soldin disappear into the darkness. "Where do you want to go?" He asked gently. I didn't know where I wanted to go. I just needed some time to think without being around a group of people. Too much had happened in the last few days. I haven't been able to just stop for a moment. I started walking towards Whiterun but I kept off the path walking through the valley below the city. Faendal followed close behind. He didn't interrupt the silence which I was thankful for but then… I'm sure he had a lot on his mind too. I bet he didn't plan on leaving Riverwood or what happened between him and Camila. He must have cared a lot for her.
There was a small stream that flowed away from the city. I followed it towards the city stopping at a small pond near the wall. I leaned over the water and watched the reflections of the moon and northern lights. It was beautiful. A dragonborn absorbs the souls of dragons. Everyone thought Soldin was the dragonborn. But what had that feeling been earlier? And his winking? He knew something. Knew more than he let us thought. He did always seem intrigued by my actions. The shouting in the Helgen keep that seemed to make the soldier burst into flames. The glowing words inside the barrow. He also seemed to know what the dragon written language was. Was this why he wanted to travel with me?
What had he shouted at the tower? Fus? That was what was written on the wall. Did he know how to shout before? Did I have the power to shout? Was what I did before in Helgen shouting? Could I shout before I lost my memories? I was so confused. So many unanswered questions and no way that I knew of to have them answered. I glanced at Faendal. He had his back to me. Must be deep in thought as well. I looked back at the water, "Fus." I said lightly. The water rippled. On the other side of the small pond dust flew into the air. Did I do that? I thought excitedly. I stood up and stretched. "Are you ready to go back into the city? Sleep sounds great. And food too!" We hadn't eaten anything since the breakfast he made that morning.
Faendal turned and smiled "Sure, let's go" No matter how kind, gentle or genuine his smile was it couldn't hide the sadness that always seemed to be behind his eyes.
We walked up the path to the city when the ground began to quake. Dragon?! "Dovahkiin!"
The quake ended and the shout dissipated. Everyone around seemed on edge. We watched the skies waiting for what we thought was a dragon but none came. The guards sheathed their weapons after a minute and continued their patrols. "I don't think it was anything." Faendal said uncertain. I relaxed as much as I could which wasn't much since we had battled a dragon just moments ago. We continued up the stone path to the city gate passing by a few guards as they made their rounds. "No lollygagging!" One of the gardes stated as we passed.
we entered the city. The streets were quiet. Everyone was either in their house or at the tavern. Only a few stragglers, guards, and the street beggar walked the streets. Ahead dominating the market was a large wooden building. the lanterns around it gave it a welcoming glow. a sign above the door said "The Bannered Mare" with a horse bucking underneath the words. Faendal and I entered the tavern and was greeted by the owner behind a counter. "Welcome! Pull up a chair! We just added logs to the fire so it's nice and warm."
The tavern was crowded. People were drinking from tankards and dancing to the music of a bard. The tavern was dominated by a large firepit in the middle of the room. Two large benches sat on the sides of the pit. A couple of small tables and chairs sat around the other sides of the pit. Chairs and tables dotted the rest of the tavern. Most of the seats were occupied. We found an empty small table next to the fire. Faendal took in a deep breath when we sat. whether it was to smell the delicious aromas of food and mead or from exhaustion, i wasn't sure. Without Soldin around I was aware for the first time just how quiet of a companion Faendal was. "Can I get you something to drink or eat?" A pretty dark skinned woman asked as she approached us.
Faendal's mood perked up at the sound of food. "Mead and venison."
The woman glanced at me, "Oh, um the same but also something green?"
"We have the best grilled leeks in town." she exclaimed with a smile. She glanced at Faendal.
"What? Huh?" Faendal was flustered as if he had been deep in thought, "Oh, no. Not for me." She left at that leaving us in silence. He watched the fire flicker in the pit. I studied his features more closely now that we weren't running through ruins or chasing dragons. The way his long silver hair framed his face, the sharp features of his face, his ears that poked through his hair, his dark almond eyes that reflected everything he watched. He was so handsome to me. But how old was he, I wondered. How old am I? And what did he do before Riverwood? Why did he stay in Riverwood? I was pretty sure I knew the answer to the last question. I realized then that we had met only a day ago. My face went red and my heart raced.
"Are you ok? You look scared." He commented. Scared! This was the moment the pretty woman brought our food and mead. I grabbed the tankard and downed it. I didn't want him to look into my eyes and see what I was thinking. His eyes widened in surprise when i put down the empty tankard.
"I'm fine." I squeaked. a second tankard of mead was placed on the table next to me. I looked up to see the pretty woman wink at me. Did she realize what was going through my head? I must have been staring at him like a girl with a puppy crush! I picked up the second tankad and began drinking the mead. Faendal's eyebrows raised. My mind wandered to the crumpled mass of a man that i had woken up next to. Basilio. I wanted to find out who he was. A frown spread across my face.
"Feeling sick?" Faendal asked. I shook my head. "That's surprising." He mentioned with a smile.
"I want to find Basilio. He might know who I am." I said.
"Basilio?" Faendal asked with a frown. Something flashed in his eyes. Jealousy? I explained all I knew which wasn't much. "It sounds like he could be an Imperial soldier. If so they may have taken him to Solitude." Solitude. That name had a familiar ring to my ears.
"i want to go there." I nodded. My head was starting to feel woozy.
"We'll head there in the morning after you've slept off all that mead." He laughed. I joined the laughter. It was nice to relax and to see Faendal actually smile. My hand rested lightly on his.
A chair scraped across the floor. soldin plopped down at our table. "So you showed up!" He called out. My hand moved from Faendal's at Soldin's appearance. "It's time to have some mead!"
"Our share of the reward?" Faendal stressed.
"oh, yes, yes. You're reward. Not going to let that slide are you, wood elf?" Soldin took out a purse of coins and handed it to Faendal. "250 gold pieces. Should get you through a few nights with a warm meal." Full tankards replaced our empties ones on the table. Soldin picked one up and took a large swig from it. I picked one up but the tankard left my hands before I could take a drink. Faendal placed it back onto the table.
"She's had enough for the night." Faendal stated.
"Nonsense! You haven't had enough mead until you're falling out of your seat!" Soldin retorted. That tension was back.
While I would like to have another mead I agreed with Faendal. "We do have a long day tomorrow." Soldin shrugged and grabbed the tankard for himself.
"You're not going to join those companions are you?" Soldin asked with a tint of disgust in his voice. I shook my head. "Good! Waste of time. If you want to do something noble you should join the Stormcloaks."
"stormcloaks? The blue uniforms?" I asked. Soldin nodded and explained the war to me. "It doesn't sound like my war. we're going to Solitude to look for the man I woke up next to." Soldin glanced at Faendal. But it was only a second.
"You're going to the headquarters of the army that tried to chop your head off?" Soldin asked. I nodded. "You're either brave or stupid. But it looks like our companionship ends here. Shame. I was hoping to get to know you a lot better." Soldin began to laugh. We enjoyed the singing and merriment of the night until Soldin bade us farewell. "Next time we meet I hope we're on the same side of the battlefield.
Faendal helped me to the room. I had trouble walking and stumbled into the room. I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed. "You are a lot worse than I thought you would be." He said.
"I snuck a third tankard." I confided in him. His arms were wrapped around my waist. I looked into his eyes and wanted to taste his lips. But I was so tired. I slumped onto his chest and felt him chuckle. He helped me to the bed where I curled up to sleep off the mead.
