Hi guys. So glad you are enjoying Disa's adventure so far (and Ulfric Stormcloak's wet dream). I wanted to spend this chapter focussing on the depth of relationship between Disa and Brynjolf.

Sorry it has taken so long (and that it's so short) but I work a lot. So updates will come whenever I get chance. Thanks for your patience xx

Confessions

So much had happened in the few weeks since Helgan. In her seventeen years, Disa had never known so much adventure. She had been to Whiterun, to warn of the Dragon's attack. She had retrieved the Dragon stone and even killed her first dragon. She could not describe the feeling of the dragon's soul as she absorbed it into her body. But, the feeling felt so natural to her, it was as natural as breathing.

She had been summoned to the Greybeards, even had the honour of meeting their leader. She admired and had great respect for Paarthunax. He was a magnificent creature, as old as he was wise. Even though the conversation seemed very long winded, she learned something about herself that seemed impossible. Her mother had told her the tales of the Dragonborn. Rare individuals who had been born with the blood and soul of a dragon, but the body of a mortal, and can naturally learn and speak their ancient and powerful language, their Thu'um. Even the prophecy made good for a bedtime story.

The little princess would snuggle down into her silken sheets, as her mother, Queen Imalda, sat beside her. Kissing her daughter's golden curls, speaking soft words of love and comfort. Eydis would plead for a story, for time with her mother was far more precious to the child than anything. Imalda would smile a loving smile and give in to the pleads of the little princess.

"When misrule takes its place at the eight corners of the world
When the Brass Tower walks and Time is reshaped
When the thrice-blessed fail and the Red Tower trembles
When the Dragonborn Ruler loses his throne, and the White Tower falls
When the Snow Tower lies sundered, kingless, bleeding
The World-Eater wakes, and the Wheel turns upon the Last Dragonborn."

Now Disa had grown, and the prophecy was coming true. It seemed like a dream; that she would be the main character from her favourite childhood tales. Disa of the thieves guild, Princess Eydis of Skyrim, The Dragonborn. It was like some terrible fairytale. But, she did not need the handsome prince to save the day and whisk her away to some foreign land. She had proven that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

It was dark when Disa arrived back in Riften. It was just as it was the same as when she left almost a month ago. Slipping silently into the crypt leading into the thieves guild, she saw that most of the other guild members were gone, likely dealing with contracts and assignments. Making her way to the Ragged Flagon, she smiled fondly. This was home. Indeed, she did have some good memories of her life before the guild, however, the life of a princess was nothing compared to the freedom the guild provided. Here her life was her own. Here she belonged.

Sitting at the bar she rested her war axes on the table and ordered an ale. After the month that she had, she needed it.

"What have I told you about young women and ale?"

Disa chuckled at the all too familiar voice.

"I missed you, Brynjolf."

He sat beside her, taking a drink for himself. Studying her he took a sip.

"I hear you've been busy, lass. Dragons, a failed execution and not so much as a letter home."

Disa took a long breath. She had been expecting this. Although, she had hoped to catch some sleep before the paternal lecture. The Ratway tunnels ran all the way through Skyrim, so, of course he would have found out about her adventures from her guild sisters and brothers.

"Keeping tabs on me?"

"Disa, you are the closest thing I Have to daughter. I worry about you, lass."

She gave a soft sigh, pulling him into a hug. He held her tightly. He was not exaggerating. She had been his ward for ten years. He had been entrusted to raise her and keep her safe. Blood was not what mattered to him. Her own father was all to willing to hand her over to another man, property to be bartered for. Brynjolf had agreed to take her in. But, he had no idea the impact she would have on him. She was, for all intents and purposes, his daughter. Blood did not bind her to him, but the love he had for her was everything.

Hearing of her failed execution, he went into a blind panic. He had sworn to protect her and she had been captured and almost died. He knew it was too dangerous to let her venture into the world. He should have stopped her, forbade her to leave the guild. He was even prepared to march through the tunnels and drag her back to the sanctuary of the Guild. Instead, remembering that he had promised to trust her and let her find her own way, he sent a couple of junior members to follow at a distance. The reports that they sent back he struggled to believe. His beloved daughter had slain a dragon and become Thane of Whiterun. She was no longer the little girl he protected vehemently.

She had grown up.

"Sorry, Brynjolf. I just got side tracked."

"A dragon will do that, lass" he chuckled proudly.

She smiled as she pulled away from him.

"Dragons." she corrected "I killed more than one"

"I was so worried about you." He confessed, his face was now serious "After I heard about Helgan..."

"I know" she whispered "I'm sorry, truly I am. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"It's my fault. I should never have sent you to Cyrodiil in the first place. None of this would never have happened."

She shook her head; and kissed him on the forehead.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You let me find my own adventure. I've made a name for myself, I've killed dragons, bandits. I've been to the Throat of the World. Heck I even had a very, very, long conversation with an ancient Dragon."

"You talked to a Dragon, What did it tell you?"

"Apparently I'm the Dragon born."

She just could not help but be amused at his confused expression.

"Dragon born.. That's just a story."

"Apparently not," she shrugged "in all honesty, I was just drifting in and out of the conversation. Like I said he talked a lot."

He smiled as he tugged her long brown braid.

"So what brings you here, away from your new-found fame?"

"I missed you." She smiled sincerely, as she took another swig of her ale.

"Well it has been unusually quiet and calm without you lass."

"Oh, the anarchy." She giggled into her drink.

"Will you be staying?"

She nodded as she turned to gaze into his eyes.

"How long?" He asked, hopefully.

"Not sure." She breathed "A week, maybe longer. I just need to clear my head and work some things out for myself."

"Like what?"

She rolled her eyes at him. She knew him. This would turn into an interrogation. He was so very protective of her. It caused her no end of frustration. Although, she would never admit, she was very grateful for it. She took a breath, after all, it was best to just get it over with and tell him. She knew he would disapprove. There was nothing she could do about that. But lying to him just wasn't an option. Honesty was always paramount in their relationship.

"I'm considering joining the Stormcloaks"

"WHAT!?"

The need to justify herself was overwhelming. She needed him to understand.

"I knew you wouldn't approve, but this isn't about you. I think I need this."

"What? To get yourself killed?"

She shook her head and took his hand. Squeezing it tightly she continued, pleadingly.

"I'm sick of looking over my shoulder, hiding from the Empire. My whole life I have had to become somebody else. I want to be able to walk into the sun as me."

He sighed sadly, stroking her pale face with such gentleness.

"You want to be a princess again?"

"No, I want to let my hair down, seriously. I hate that I have to drink that potion. It tastes vile and makes my scalp ache. I just want to be me. I want freedom without the secrecy. No more potions, no more worries, no more hiding."

She wiped away the tears, threatening her bright blue eyes"

"No more lies" she whispered.

Brynjolf pulled her into another tight embrace. He hated to admit that he regretted the facade. She was a beautiful young woman with a remarkable personality. She deserved to walk in the light without fear of discovery. He breathed softly into her hair as he succumed to her reasoning.

"I love you like you were my own and I am so very proud of you. If this is what you need, then you have my support."

She smiled as she squeezed him back. Reluctantly, they released each other. She quickly finished her drink and headed back to the sleeping area. As she opened the door, she stopped and turned to face him and smiled.

"I love you too, Father."

Then she left; and he smiled proudly.

She really wasn't that frightened little girl anymore. She really had grown up.