LAST TIME

Balgruuf nodded. 'Hero of Kvatch – I mean the Champion of Cyrodiil, your secret is safe with me. Now. Let's have dinner together. I'm sure Proventus can get you two comfortable clothes and organize a bath so you two can freshen up for dinner,' he said. Eilen sighed in bliss. A warm bath was being promised to her after nearly threatening the entire court by almost turning into Deirdre.

'I must find a way to prevent the near-transformation of Eilen,' Hadvar thought as he looked at Eilen's happy face as she talked to the Dunmer housecarl. 'She needs peace.'

THIS TIME

'Miss Elsinfaere,' a soft voice said at her door. 'I have brought your iron armour from Warmaiden's. It has been fixed and polished and engraved with the symbol of Whiterun, signifying you as Jarl Balgruuf's friend.'

'You may come in,' Eilen said as she fastened the laces of her off-the-shoulder blue dress with the leather corset. The skirt's customary apron was removed, leaving her with the maroon skirt in full view. Her short and comfortable brown boots looked as if they had the symbol of Radiant Raiment on it, which made her think 'Valuable clothes... Nice.'

The Breton maid walked into the room and placed the armour on the small table by the door. 'Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes, milady,' she said in a kind tone of voice that seemed a bit out of practice. Something was obviously bothering the maid, and it had been going on for a while. Eilen noticed her eyes were red.

'What's wrong, friend?' Eilen asked, not knowing her name.

'Nothing,' the maid said evasively.

'Sit, friend, and tell me your troubles,' she said, using Stendarr's gift. She sat down on a chair and the maid sat down too.

'What is your name, friend?' Eilen asked.

'Fianna,' the Breton said. She sighed and ran a hand through her white hair – even though she was not old, it was as white as snow. 'It's nothing, really. Just wondering how my family is in High Rock,' she said.

'Come now, Fianna. It most certainly can't be nothing if you've been crying,' Eilen soothed.

'Alright,' Fianna said, tears welling up in her eyes. 'My brother is sick, and my family has fallen on hard times – that's why I'm here in Skyrim, working as a maid. But I don't have enough money to go travellin' to Solitude an' take a ship to High Rock,' she wailed. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wept. Eilen noticed the scars – where did the scars come from?

'I'll talk to the Jarl to let you take leave and I'll pay for your passage to Solitude and High Rock. I'll even pay for a guard to accompany you,' Eilen said, wiping the tears away from the young Breton's eyes.

'Why do you care so much, Miss Elsinfaere?' Fianna asked through her tears.

'We are kin, Fianna. High Elves are related to Bretons through blood, so I feel sad that one of my own have fallen on hard times,' Eilen replied.

'You are unlike any Altmer I've ever met,' Fianna said with a short laugh. She smiled, and Eilen rejoiced in the fact that the small Breton was finally happy.

'Thank you Miss Elsinfaere!' Fianna said gleefully and hugged Eilen.

'No problem,' Eilen replied, and added 'And call me Eilen.'

The Breton maid bowed before leaving.

'Thank you, Eilen,' she said, respectfully.

~

'Could you pass me the fire salts, Eilen?' Hadvar asked for the second time that evening. Farengar snorted. 'Lay off the fire salts a little, friend. You'll regret it later.' His voice was respectful but joking.

Eilen's hand was moving the fire salts back and forth in the air. 'Want it?' she said, moving it towards him. 'Or not?' she said, moving it towards her plate.

'Not,' Hadvar said, going pale. 'I'll settle for the normal salt instead. Could you pass that to me, rather?'

Eilen smirked and handed him the wooden bowl of normal sea salt. 'Here you go,' she said, winking at him. Hadvar flushed all the way into the collar of his doublet. Irileth sniggered. This was going to be an interesting dinner, indeed.

'So,' the Jarl said, looking at Eilen. 'How did you get to Skyrim?'

'I walked,' Eilen said simply. Hadvar nearly dropped his fork. Irileth almost choked on her apple cabbage stew. Dagny looked mortified. Frothar looked at her in an admiring way. Nelkir stared into space with his normal glare. Proventus actually spluttered, almost losing the bread he was gnawing on. Hrongar grinned a grin so large his face could've split in half. Balgruuf just smiled and gave a light laugh.

'It's good to see an elf that doesn't expect bowing and scraping and carts and horses,' he said, looking at her with nothing but approval.

'I walked from Bravil,' Eilen said, looking carefully at Hadvar. 'I walked all the way to Darkwater Crossing in exploration. I recently got my enchanted backpack back from the ruins of Helgen, by the way. I went for an early morning walk. Thank the Divines it wasn't discovered for what it was and sold.'

'This backpack,' Irileth said, ignoring the "early morning walk". Eilen was an odd person, even for an Altmer. 'Why is it so important to you?'

'Martin gave it to me,' Eilen answered, looking forlorn.

'Martin?' Dagny asked.

'Martin Septim, last Dragonborn emperor of Cyrodiil.' Eilen's voice caught on "last."

This got Nelkir's attention.

Dagny dropped her soup spoon.

'Gee, lady! You're quite old! But you don't look old,' he said. He added the last upon receiving a soft hiss from Irileth.

'We Altmer live long lives,' Eilen said evasively. Then she dipped her small loaf of bread into her apple cabbage stew.

'Nelkir,' Dagny said in a soothing tone – which Eilen had not expected from her, as Eilen saw Dagny as a spoiled brat. 'You never comment on a lady's age,' she said sternly. 'No matter how brave or strong they look,' she added, looking admiringly at Eilen.

'Thank you, Dagny,' Irileth said approvingly.

Dagny smiled.

'Miss Elsinfaere,' Fianna said softly.

'Yes, Fianna?' Eilen said, turning in her chair to see the Breton maid escorting a courier to the table.

'This courier said he needed to see you urgently. I tried to tell him you were busy eating dinner, but he insisted to see you. He needs to leave Whiterun soon,' she said.

'Alright,' Eilen said upon receiving a nod from the Jarl. 'Bring him here.'

'Miss Elsinfaere,' the courier said. 'I have something to deliver, and it's urgent. Red envelope and all.' His voice was timid, and he spoke very fast – as if scurrying from place to place had an effect on his general speed.

He handed her not one, but two red envelopes, bowed to the assembled court and scurried out of Dragonsreach.

'Miss Elsinfaere, you may be excused if you wish,' the Jarl said upon seeing her face go deathly pale. 'I'll have Fianna bring your second course and dessert to you in your room.'

'Thank you, my Jarl,' she said, her voice shaking, and rising shakily from her chair. She walked unsteadily to her room, and as soon as she was in her room and the door was closed, she ran to her bed and tore the one open.

'Miss Elsinfaere.

It is with deep regret that I inform you of your granddaughter's death. The Thalmor found her guilty of being one third Imperial and two thirds Altmer and executed her.

I hope you are well and I am sorry for your loss. She has been buried in your family's cemetery in Bruma.

Termna Aediath, your Steward of Rosethorn Manor.'

Eilen's tears fell freely. Eilen's own granddaughter, one of the last with Septim blood. The other being her daughter, born many years ago. Such a young Altmer, her granddaughter Alwya, only ninety. Not even married or in a relationship. She opened the next one with shaking hands.

'Miss Elsinfaere.

I have more bad news. The Thalmor raided the house yesterday – and almost killed me looking for you. They want to kill you for deserting the Dominion twice, and almost found out Joarelie's location. I thank Auri-El that they have not. She sent word telling me to tell you that she is where "skies shine with green and blue."

Termna Aediath, your Steward of Rosethorn Manor.'

Eilen screamed. Joarelie was in Skyrim, and there was no telling which hold she was in. She was beautiful, more Altmer than Imperial, but she had Martin's personality and had his blue eyes. There was also the chance of her being the Dragonborn everyone was babbling about – the one who could save Skyrim from the World Eater, Alduin.If the Thalmor had intercepted this letter... Eilen shuddered.

Eilen couldn't let that happen. Eilen wanted to find her and ship her off to Akavir, where cherry blossom trees bloomed and the Akaviri lived peacefully. Hidden from people for hundreds of years, but peaceful. If Joarelie told them she was descended from a Dragonborn, they would surely protect her. Wouldn't they?

Eilen didn't realise she had fallen asleep until she woke up, cradled in Hadvar's arms.

'Hadvar?' Eilen asked. 'Did you read my letters?'

Hadvar nodded gravely and hugged her tighter.

'I mourn the loss of your granddaughter,' he said sadly.

'I am sorry I didn't tell you about my family. I just didn't see the point – they were both in Cyrodiil, safe from me. Turns out Alwya wasn't,' she said, glaring at the red envelopes.

'I didn't know Elenwen, almighty Ambassador of Skyrim was your cousin,' Hadvar said.

'She's the… First… Emissary, if I'm not mistaken. Not an ambassador.'

'Same difference,' Hadvar said and looked at Eilen.

'Joarelie… You used your daughter's name as an alias. Where did "Saelinlock" come from?'

'My mother. Her maiden name,' Eilen said.

'It's time to be off. Don your armour, pack your backpacks. I'll tell the Jarl we're leaving,' Hadvar said, kissing Eilen's forehead.

~

'You shouldn't get involved in a human's life, Eilen,' Deirdre hissed.

'You have no idea what I am going through, Daedroth. And you never will. It's not like you lost your granddaughter a few days ago.'

'Ah, but that is where you're wrong,' Deirdre said, and Eilen could hear the grin in her voice. 'For, you see, I am you and you are me.'

'Shut up. I am not in the mood for your mind games, Deirdre.'

'Suit yerself, Yer Majesteh. Suit yerself.'

Eilen's eyes became focussed again as Deirdre left her alone. Hadvar was looking at the scenery, the wind blowing through his short brown hair. The cart driver was taking them to Solitude, where Hadvar would officially leave the Legion on good terms.

He didn't notice her looking at him, so she carried on. The way he looked at the tundra cotton plants along the road and how he looked at each tree and house and mine they passed was full of interest, and Eilen found herself looking at Hadvar in that exact way.

'See something you like?' Hadvar said, smirking, not looking away from Skyrim's landscape.

'Maybe,' Eilen said. The carriage driver giggled. Eilen blushed and looked away.

'Eilen,' a voice said, which was awfully familiar. And nearby. 'I am sorry about Alwya. '

Martin.

'How are you speaking to me, Martin?'

'Why, I am right next to you.'

Eilen gasped. Hadvar's head spun around to look at the new passenger. Martin was there in his priest robes, his arm draped over Eilen's shoulder.

'Great,' Hadvar murmured.

Eilen was close to tears. 'How…?' she asked.

'Father Akatosh,' he said simply. Then he kissed her hand.

'It is good to be back, even if I don't know how long I have.'

~

'Molag! Stop spyin' on 'er!' Sanguine screeched. 'She's mine, but she doesn't know it yet!'

'No way,' a soft, melodic voice said. 'She will complete my quest first.'

'Shut it, Azura. No one cares about your Star!'

'Speak for yourself, Miss Kilkreath-Temple-Is-Cursed-By-Necromancers!' Mephala shouted back at Meridia.

'My Beacon was stolen!' Meridia barked.

'MY CHAMPION IS A WUSS!' Boethiah screamed.

'MY MACE SITS RUSTED IN AN ABANDONED HOUSE!'

'WHERE'S MY LADY?' a Bosmer in rags shouted.

'In Skyrim,' all the Daedra Lords said in unison.

Silence. The Bosmer left.

'SILUS ISN'T DOING THE MYTHIC DAWN ANY JUSTICE!' Dagon screamed, breaking the silence.

'My Blade is hidden in Dragonsreach... And Nelkir is being stupid.'

'BARBAS RAN AWAY AGAIN!'

'TOO MANY MEN DREAM ABOUT MARRYING EILEN!' Vaermina shouted, her purple hands rubbing her temples.

'I wish I were stronger,' Malacath said softly.

'NO ONE CARES!' Hermaeus Mora shouted. 'I hold Miraak in my grasp! The FIRST DRAGONBORN!'

'Eilen is not a CANNIBAL!!' Namira screamed in dismay.

'CHEESE!' Deirdre screamed.

'YOU'RE MEANT TO BE IN SKYRIM!' Nocturnal exclaimed.

'She doesn't wish to be a werewolf in my realm…' Hircine growled.

'Eilen shows no interest in Skyrim's Thieves Guild… I need her to kill Mercer Frey,' Nocturnal muttered.

'Eilen's almost completely immune to diseases,' Peryite said mournfully.

'Oh, shut up, Peryite!' all the Daedra said.

Deirdre morphed into the original 'Sheo look'.

'Sorry, lads,' Sheo said. 'Eilen told me to go away. Cheese for everyone! Eat and be merry! Or I'll pluck yer eyes out! Ha-ha! Or would you prefer Eldaon?'

'There is no order or intelligence in this place,' a soft male voice said from the corner. Jyggalag.

~

'Lady Mara, your tea,' a handmaiden said.

'Thank you,' Mara replied, looking into the looking glass. She touched a finger to it, and it became a screen with which she could look upon Eilen. Her blessing was going strong – people loved Eilen.

'Eilen? Are you okay?' Martin was asking as Eilen wept uncontrollably, Hadvar looking on in pity and sorrow.

'No,' Eilen said in between sobs.

'Mara, Talos is trying to… Hey. Are you spying on Eilen Elsinfaere again?' Dibella said, walking in.

'Yes. And what is Talos trying to do?' Mara replied, brushing her long dark hair before putting her headdress on.

'He's trying to get me to wear clothes. Isn't this alright anymore?' Dibella said mournfully, looking at the cloth wrapped around her body. The white flower in her handshining with a soft light.

'Definitely not,' Akatosh said. He was walking down the passage when he heard Dibella and Mara talking. He spied the screen. 'Oh, Mara. Why?'

'I'm having fun,' Mara said archly. 'Besides, weren't you curious too?'

'I can't speak for Akatosh, but I can certainly speak for myself,' an accented voice lilted from the corner. Julianos had randomly appeared out of the blue again.

All the Divines in the room got a fright.

'I am curious.' Julianos' voice was a slow, lilting monotone with a musical quality to it.

'Oh, why don't all the Divines just invade my room?!' Mara screamed, straightening her headdress and rubbing her temples.

'I can certainly help there,' Zenithar said. 'Whassup?'

'Don't speak like those teenage Imperials, please, Zenithar,' Talos said.

'Florentius, don't go there,' Arkay said, walking down the passage holding an amulet to his temple. 'No. No!' he carried on. 'Fine,' he sighed. 'Go into the dungeon, Florentius. It makes no difference.'

Stendarr walked through the screen. Mara, Dibella, Talos, Zenithar and Akatosh all groaned when the image distorted. They cheered when it came back. Stendarr looked over his shoulder and uttered a single word. 'Oops.'

'LOK VAH KOOR!' Kynareth shouted from the roof. Kynareth was clearing the skies. Mara hadn't noticed it was raining. She was grateful, though. Now that she looked closer, the image was much clearer. The rain and thunder was distorting the image.

Kynareth floated delicately into the room, her white and blue rock warbler on her arm and a sly smile on her face. 'Spying on Lady Elsinfaere again?'

'Kynareth. Look. Who let Martin back into Nirn?' Mara asked, waving her hand wildly at the looking glass. 'He's messed up Eilen's whole thing with Had-what's-his-face!'

'Hadvar.' Akatosh's voice was stern as he corrected Mara. 'And I let him back into Nirn. His granddaughter died a few days ago, for goodness' sake!'

'WHY?' all the Divines shouted.

'What do you want me to do?' Akatosh roared, slowly morphing into a golden dragon. 'Eilen was torn up over losing most of the people she loved in the last century or so.'

'Don't you see it's tearing her up even more?' Dibella asked, stabbing a finger at the image.

'That doesn't mean you can just… Zap someone back to life!' Kynareth said, her voice never raising above a whisper. The rock warbler chirped something and Kynareth stifled a giggle. Akatosh chose to ignore that. It was obviously a snarky comment.

'What do we do now?' Zenithar lamented. 'We can't just say "you're the ten-thousandth winner! Here! Your deceased Imperial Dragonborn Emperor husband is now alive!'

'I say we just roll with it,' Julianos said, copying Zenithar's speech.

Mara exploded. 'I tried to get her together with Hadvar!' she said, stabbing a finger at Akatosh. 'You ruined it!'She turned to Zenithar and Julianos. 'And you two! Stop speaking like that!'

Zenithar harrumphed. Julianos looked ashamed. Akatosh's golden eyes blazed.

'What else do you want? My express written apology?' Akatosh said.

'That would be nice,' Mara hissed. She tapped the mirror again, and the image disappeared. 'Now out,' she said.

~

'It's not Akatosh's right to let someone come back from the dead,' Eilen said. 'It's Arkay's.'

'I know that,' Martin said, his voice faltering.

'Then what?' Eilen said. Hadvar looked at them in what Eilen thought was jealousy. Eilen was sitting in Martin's arms, crying.

'The prophecy speaks of the Last Dragonborn. I come here as a messenger. Alwya was not the Dragonborn, and neither is Joarelie. Even though they share my blood, they are not full Dragonborn. They cannot absorb a dragon's soul.

'So they brought you back so you can kill Alduin?'

'No. I came to tell you that the operation you went through when you were kidnapped worked, in all its actual uselessness due to Akatosh's gift. You are the Last Dragonborn of legend. You, and you alone, can kill Alduin and save the world.' And with that, he was gone.

~

They arrived in Whiterun at midnight. Eilen pleaded with Hadvar to let them go back to Whiterun after he left the Legion. He eventually said they could.

'We need an inn,' Eilen said. 'There's no way the Jarl would be awake at this time of night.'

They rented two rooms in the Bannered Mare, and the next day, Eilen sprinted to Dragonsreach in full iron armour. Her new greatsword swung at her back as she ran up the stairs.

'Jarl Balgruuf!' she shouted. He was talking to Farengar and a Breton in shrouded clothing.

'Are you sure it's in Bleak Falls Barrow?' the Jarl was saying. As soon as he heard Eilen's voice, he turned around.

'Eilen,' the Jarl said in surprise. 'What is the matter?'

She couldn't tell them about what Martin said. She needed an excuse for her bout of madness. She fished something out of her backpack. 'This is for Farengar. I forgot to give it to him,' she smiled wryly.

The Breton in the corner sucked in a large and deep breath. 'That's it,' she said. Her voice sounded familiar. 'That's the Dragonstone of Bleak Falls,' she said in an awed whisper.

'Jarl Balgruuf! Farengar!' Irileth called. 'I need you two over here!'

They left the Breton and Eilen behind.

'Delphine? What on Nirn do you have to do with this whole dragon business?' she asked the Breton.

'Nothing,' Delphine said. 'And you don't either. So get out of my face.'

'Fine,' Eilen said as she heard Irileth call her. 'This isn't over,' she hissed, pointing at Delphine.

She walked up the stairs to the room where she had told the Jarl not too long ago about who she really was. A young guard was there, urgently describing a dragon. Eilen listened with half an ear.

'I need your help again, Champion of Cyrodiil,' Balgruuf said.

'I'd be honoured to help,' Eilen said, 'where do you need me to go?'

'The Western Watchtower,' Balgruuf said. The way he said it made Eilen auto-capitalise the words in her head.

'Then to the Western Watchtower I shall go,' Eilen said. She turned to Hadvar. 'Feel like coming with me?' She grinned, and Hadvar found himself grinning too.

'Why not,' he said, rolling his shoulder. He was still getting used to his newest set of leather armour He missed his Legion armour – it was comfortable, and familiar. But he had left that life behind to be near the Mer with the Talos earring he had fallen hopelessly in love with.

'You do realise you'll be killing a dragon, right?' the young guard asked Eilen incredulously.

'I realise that,' Eilen said, grin growing wider. 'I happen to be the Champion of Cyrodiil. If I can beat powerful Daedra, then I can certainly try to kill a dragon.'

The guard shook his head. He took his helmet off and ran a shaky hand through his blond hair.

'I'm not going back there,' he said, voice quivering. 'Sweet mother Mara, I am not going back.' His deep blue eyes were wide with terror.

'No one expects you to, Arn,' Irileth said in a soothing voice that Eilen never expected to hear from such a "macho" Dunmer.

'Go to the Bannered Mare,' the Jarl said, handing Arn a coin purse. 'Get some proper Nord ale, and some stew. You need it, lad.'

The guard nodded his thanks, bowed, and scurried out of the room. Irileth looked at his retreating form anxiously. Hrongar looked on and simply said, 'young love,' with a grin on his face as Eilen and Hadvar ran out of Dragonsreach, hand-in-hand.

~

'NO! Get back! Hroki and Tor were just grabbed by that… That beast!' a limping guard using his war-hammer as a makeshift crutch said, hobbling out of the watchtower.

'I'm here to help,' Eilen called out, running up the ramp made of rubble and displaced dirt.

'What could you possibly do against a dragon, Elf?' he asked sceptically.

Eilen shoved a piece of parchment into the guard's free hand.

"Champion of Cyrodiil, Eilen Elsinfaere, and mail can be sent via courier or sent to her holiday home in Anvil. Or through the portal in the Niben Bay. Tell the gate guard you're looking for Deirdre."

The guard scoffed as he read it. The Champion of Cyrodiil was an elf? That was never mentioned in the history books he ever read.

'Go right ahead,' he said. 'If the dragon kills you, it'll be your fault.'

Eilen climbed the stairs, feeling the cobblestones as she went along. The stones were warm, and in some places on the grass outside, there were flames.

When Eilen and Hadvar reached the top of the tower, Eilen squinted at the sky.

'Whatever was here is gone now,' she said. Hadvar looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

'Don't let that hear you,' a guard said, looking off to the east. Something was there, alright. Eilen and Hadvar looked east, and watched in horror as the dragon flew towards them.

~

'Hadvar! Look out!' Eilen screeched as the dragon prepared to roast him. Hadvar rolled out of the way just in time, but the guard behind him, however, did not.

Eilen yelled a harsh battle cry as she sprinted towards the dragon, greatsword prepared for a deadly blow to the dragon's head. She froze as he looked at her – those eyes full of unknown wisdom.

'Dovahkiin! NO!' he shouted as the Altmer delivered the killing blow. With a heavy heart, Eilen stabbed her greatsword into the ground, and looked solemnly at the dragon's corpse.

'You didn't have to die today, mister dragon,' she said sadly. She jumped as the dragon's body began to burn, the scales flaking off and disintegrating in the air. A multi-coloured swirl of raw power separated itself from the dragon's very bones as it spiralled towards her.

'Get back, Champion!' Irileth shouted, her voice hoarse. 'The dragon's making a last move before it dies completely!'

Eilen, on the other hand, was completely serene as all this was happening. The spiral of power hit her square in the chest, and she went blind temporarily, just as she had in Bleak Falls Barrow. The word fus suddenly held more meaning, as she absorbed the dragon's wisdom. He had a vast understanding of many other words, too, but they held no special meaning to Eilen. The only thing she heard was fus, fus, fus, FORCE.

Eilen lifted her golden face to the sky, and her green eyes opened. They seemed fiercer, and they seemed to glow with power.

'FUS!' she shouted. A translucent blue cloud roiling with energy hurtled forth as she shouted that one word full of power.

'It can't be,' one of the Whiterun guards whispered in a shaky voice. 'The Dragonborn is an Elf!'

'What now? Eilen murmured, confused. Hadvar was suddenly next to her, and in a flash, she was in his arms, her legs now in the air. He was holding her like she had just fainted – her head leaning on his shoulder, her arms around his neck. He held her close, and said; 'The Champion must rest. She has just slain a dragon, after all.'

'Hadvar, don't. I can stand,' Eilen muttered.

'You're as white as a sheet, Eilen. Sleep. I'll carry you back to Whiterun,' Hadvar said, smiling ever so slightly.

'You little…' she murmured as her eyes started to close.

~

'You're sulking, Eilen.' Hadvar sat down on a chair next to her bed in Breezehome, a house that was given to her after the Jarl heard about the dragon's death.

'Am not,' Eilen mumbled. She looked around the master bedroom, paintings, wood walls, vaulted ceiling and amimal fur carpets. Fur blankets.

'You killed the dragon. The Jarl gave us a house. You're the Dragonborn.' Hadvar shook his head. 'What more can an Altmer ask for?'

'Not to be spread so thin the sun shines through me,' Eilen groaned. 'I was perfectly happy becoming a hero once in my life. Now, I am one again.'

'The people need you, Eilen. You are the only one who can kill Alduin.'

'What if I don't want to?' Eilen asked. 'What if I become like any other Altmer from Alinor? Hm? What if I just decide to pack up and go?'

'You won't.' Hadvar's voice was stern. 'You won't, because it's not who you are.'

Eilen looked at him in shock.

DOVAHKIIN!

The whole house shook. Screams were heard outside.

'Eh? What was that?' a nearly deaf person shouted outside.

'What a delayed reaction,' Hadvar said, rubbing his chin. He grinned. 'Dragonborn, eh? Now which one's the dragon – your ma or pa?'

Eilen giggled. 'My father was known as The Elsinfaere Dragon, provably because of his temper…' She sighed. There was an awkward silence.

'So the Greybeards called you,' Hadvar said, breaking the silence.

'Great. Now I have to go to the Greybeards.'

'You were going to visit before the whole Dragonborn thing happened?'

'I was going to make the pilgrimage, yes.' Eilen's voice was a whisper. 'Martin always wanted to, and after Dagon, he had the chance. The Divines decided to let him live for a while longer. But, the people who wanted to make a Dragonborn that was not as… noble… as Martin was… They stole some of his blood and poisoned him, remember?' Hadvar nodded. 'They waited for my husband to die.' Eilen's voice was soft and her hands started shaking.

'That's horrible.'

Eilen nodded. 'And seeing him in that cart on the way to Solitude… It was unnerving. Even if he really isn't back. I know he's dead for good… But it still derailed me… Akatosh called him back, it seems. He hasn't been back.'

'My Thane? Are you finally awake?'

'Hadvar… Who is that?' Eilen asked as a Nord with short brown, almost ebony hair walked into the room.

'Lydia. Your housecarl.'

Eilen groaned. 'Housecarl?' She looked at Hadvar. 'Do I really need one? I've got you following me like a lost puppy, after all.'

'Yes, My Thane. You really do need me. And I can do much more than follow you. I can look after your house while you're away, and…' here, she looked at Hadvar for a while and then back at Eilen, 'any children you may have.'

Eilen laughed. 'My children are all grown up, Lydia. Joarelie's one hundred and thirty odd years old already.' And Alwya… Alwya was only ninety when she…No. Eilen shook her head. Don't think, don't feel.

Lydia said nothing.

'Eilen, the Jarl said to tell you to see him once you woke up.'

Eilen rubbed her forehead. She was getting a headache. Deirdre was trying to argue with a dragon's soul. She wanted to tell her it wouldn't work... But she couldn't interrupt Deirdre at all. To acknowledge her now was to turn into her.

~

'The Greybeards have summoned you to High Hrothgar,' Balgruuf said, looking impressed.

'That they have,' Hadvar said, grinning at Eilen.

'Why has Eilen not been speaking this whole time?' Irileth asked, looking closely at Eilen.

'The thought that Eilen can use The Thu'um scares her,' Hadvar said. 'Besides, she's been complaining of headaches and saying Deirdre's been too noisy since Eilen absorbed Mirmulnir's soul.'

Balgruuf nodded. Hrongar and Proventus seemed confused. Finally, Eilen spoke, but her voice was no more than a murmur.

'Hadvar, we must go to Cyrodiil.' Her voice was soft, almost too soft to hear.

'Why?' Proventus asked.

Eilen's eyes flashed crimson. 'None of your business, Steward,' she growled. The Thu'um was laced into every word, and Dragonsreach shuddered with each syllable.

'We can only wish you well for your journey, Thane Elsinfaere,' Balgruuf said, nodding solemnly.He saw the mad glint in her eyes. As much as he disliked Proventus, he didn't want his tombstone to read "Death By Deirdre".

With that, they left Whiterun behind, to journey to Cyrodiil.

~

As they walked, Hadvar asked Eilen why she wanted to go to Cyrodiil, of all places. Especially now.

'I need to visit an… old friend,' she murmured. She tapped her head. 'He can help me with Deirdre.'

~~~

Alrighty! So a lot of stuff happened this chapter - we even got a glimpse of the Aedra and Daedra. My favourite bit to write was Arkay and Florentius... I think the old priest of Arkay isn't actually crazy, and Arkay actually does talk to him and give him advice. It makes for good comedy.

If anyone is wondering (since Martin just made an appearance and was relatively alive) NO he will not be returning to Nirn. Akatosh derped and the other Divines didn't like it. No bringing back the dead, Akatosh!

Akatosh: It was just one time.

Me: And now Eilen is somewhat of a spastic wreck. Bad Akatosh.

-Kynareth's rock warbler chirps-

Akatosh: Don't test me, bird!

Anyhow, read and review! Tell me what you think of my crazy story so far! Might upload another chapter tomorrow...