A/N: Starting from this chapter, I'm going to start putting more twists (adding some AU elements) into the story. Nothing jarring, I will still mostly follow the main cannon story line as well as the companions, but just enough to make things interesting...
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Dragonsreach was still impressive, holding a certain "awe" to all who visited the great building. Even when the servants were extinguishing some of the candles and getting ready to retire for the night.
"Ah, I see you got my message," the wizard greeted once Ronna was in the doorway to his office. "Good. We've been waiting for you."
She didn't have to ask "who's we" because at that moment a figure emerged from the back room and stepped forward. The figure was clad in all leather armor with a hood covering half her face. There were no need for introductions, Ronna had met her before.
"Delphine," she acknowledged. "I'm surprised to see you here."
"As am I," the blonde-haired Breton replied. "I was supposed to see you in Kynesgrove, remember?"
Ronna's gaze flickered between the two before settling on Farengar, "Is this the urgent matter you needed to see me about?"
"Indeed," the wizard responded. "Delphine was concerned about your whereabouts."
"Thank you Farengar, but I can speak for myself." the Breton meant the words as a dismissal, but the wizard stayed where he was.
"I am aware. However, I too have some business with the Dragonborn." He turned to grab a large wrapped bundle and several letters.
The fancy design and matching bow on the outside of the package let Ronna know who the sender was before reading the note. From Radiant Raiment.
"While I understand your need for secrecy, Ronna Dragonborn. I was hoping by now, you would have found another address to send your deliveries too." He nonchalantly handed over her things, but the tone in his voice belied his annoyance with being used as a courier service.
Ronna ignored his gripe and took the bundle and letters.
Heavy. She thought as soon as she touched the package from Radiant Raiment. Her excitement grew as she remembered what was contained inside. My new armor!
Correction-the dragonborn's new armor!
Part of keeping her identity hidden was to don a specific set of armor when she went on Dovahkiin business. When she first started out, Ronna wore simple hide armor and a full cowl. Not the best in protection, but it was cost effective. At the time, buying potions was more of a priority. Besides, combining the armor with a flesh spell seemed to suffice.
It wasn't until Ronna saved Taarie from a dragon attack and the Altmer shrieked, "You're the dragonborn and that's what you're wearing?!" that Ronna reconsidered her attired. Not that she had a choice in the matter. As soon as they were safe, the Altmer tailor dragged Ronna into her store and wouldn't let her leave until she was properly clothed.
From then on, the owners of Radiant Raiment supplied her with clothes, armor, and other accessories at a deep discount.
Although I'm pretty sure the sisters generosity has to do with wanting to style the dragonborn than saving Taarie.
"Now that piece of business is concluded," Delphine's voice brought Ronna back to the present. "Mind leaving us for a bit Farengar? I would like to talk with her alone."
"You mean do I mind leaving my quarters so you can discuss something I might have an interest in? No, not all," His words dripping with sarcasm, the wizard abruptly turned to make his exit.
On his way out he mumbled something about "being reduced to an errand boy" and "his study used as a secret hideout".
"Now then, on to the matter at hand, Kynesgrove, remember?" Delphine's voice was stern and reminded Ronna of a teacher she wasn't fond of back at the Bard's College.
Refusing to be intimidated by the older woman, Ronna drew herself up to her full height, "I do remember. I also recall something about ancient beings being brought back to life."
Delphine let out a sigh, "Is that what kept you? We've been over this. It's not some crazy theory I came up with, but a fact."
Ronna was apprehensive of what the innkeeper told her back in Riverwood. However, there wasn't much time to think on it, there were other matters she needed to attend to.
"I don't doubt your sincerity Delphine, but I needed to give the horn back to the Greybeards. Afterwards, I had another issue to deal with." Making sure a certain infuriating man didn't know who I really was.
The Breton gave her a condescending smile, "You mean reinstating your membership among the companions?"
So she has been keeping tabs on me.
Ronna frowned, "Spying on me isn't the way to win my trust Delphine."
The other woman gave her a pointed look, "I hardly think I'm the first person to spy on you. And if you really are Dragonborn, the number of people watching you will increase dramatically. You will need people who can move in the shadows and aid you without being sighted by your enemies. If you believe only one thing I say, believe this-you will want me to be among your list of allies."
Ronna let out a breath, the woman sure knew how to make a convincing speech. "I'm surprised you still doubt my abilities. I'm sure you talked with Farengar and he told you what happened at the Watchtower."
Delphine nodded, "I did, but I still need to confirm it for myself. It's easy for people to misinterpret things. Especially when they don't know what they are dealing with."
Ronna decided to skip asking the older woman to explain herself. She knew Delphine wouldn't say anything anyways. Not until I prove myself at Kynesgrove. She didn't like traveling with someone she barely knew, but Ronna did believe Delphine didn't mean her any harm. At least, not yet.
And sooner or later I will need to go to Kynesgrove. If only to confirm Delphine's theory.
"How much time do we have until the resurrection happens?" Ronna asked.
"By my estimate two weeks," Delphine answered, "Three at most if we're lucky."
"Alright, give me some time. I need to come up with a plausible excuse for leaving Jorrvaskr."
"Actually, I already thought of one." At Ronna's shocked expression Delphine continued, "It's not a coincidence I asked Farengar to send for you. Here is what you need to do…"
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She certainly is very pushy. Ronna thought as she descended the steps from Dragonsreach.
Although, she had to admit, the Breton did come up with a sound plan.
Ronna was to tell the companions Farengar had requested her aid in retrieving a magical artifact from the College of Winterhold. The great warriors of Jorrvaskr did not deal with handling magical items, so it was plausible the wizard would hire someone else. If questioned as to why Ronna's services were requested in particular, Delphine suggested revealing her part in retrieving the dragonstone.
"The best lies are mixed with a bit of truth," The woman advised, "So mention your success with assisting Farengar in his dragon investigation. They should come to their own conclusion as to why he would seek your help again."
"I'm not entirely comfortable with this part of the plan," Ronna remarked, "Wouldn't it invite suspicion as to why I was aiding Farengar in the first place? I would have to talk about Helgen and telling the Jarl about the dragon. From there it would be easy to connect certain events and deduce I am the dragonborn."
"Did you not hear what I said earlier?!," Delphine snapped "Go ahead and tell them about Helgen, everyone knows there were some survivors. Also there were multiple Whiterun residents who know it was you who warned the Jarl about the dragon. So count on the companions already knowing those bits of information."
"However, nobody except those in Dragonsreach know about the dragonstone," The Breton continued, "Use that to your advantage. Inform them Farengar had you scouring the ruins for the dragonstone while the dragonborn was revealed at the Watchtower."
"So I couldn't possibly be at two places at once," Ronna summarized the point.
The older woman nodded, "And thus not the dragonborn."
Delphine went on to reassure Ronna that rumors would be spread throughout the city to further establish the lie. The timeline of events would be skewed in her favor.
The two women concluded their business by agreeing to meet in Windhelm before making their way to Kynesgrove. Sadly, the new armor Ronna received from Taarie and Endarie had to go with Delphine. It was best not to take such a distinguished looking package back to Jorrvaskr. Doing so would only bring about all kinds of questions.
By the end of their meeting, Ronna firmly believed Delphine used to be part of some espionage work. The Breton was far too at ease with developing this plan and making sure all loose ends were covered.
Maybe I should recruit her as an alley after all. Ronna thought as she paused to tuck the letters she received from Farengar in a small bag. She certainly knows how to keep a secret.
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She was on the landing where the water emptied into the pool below, when a loud yelp echoed throughout the city. The words were muffled, but she made out the words "YOU" and "WHAT?!". From there she guessed something bad happened and the yeller was not happy.
"What was that? Did that come from Jorrvaskr?" A passing guard asked her. "Think there's trouble?"
"I doubt it," Ronna replied. "Probably someone got upset their bread was eaten. It wouldn't be the first time there was a response like that."
The guard chuckled and was about to say something when the sound of metal hinges swinging open reverberated up to them.
They watched as one of the doors to the great mead hall flew open and a familiar grumpy dark-haired Nord came marching out. He was followed by a taller version of himself and instantly, Ronna knew the men were Vilkas and Farkas.
Still, it unnerved Ronna to see Vilkas in such a state. There's only one person I know of who could anger him that much -
As if confirming her thought, the man in question suddenly turned his head in her direction and set his light colored eyes on her.
Oh sh-!
Ronna wasn't going to wait around, her instincts were warning her to either Shout or run away. And since Shouting wasn't an option...
"Mind helping me back up the stairs? I forgot something in Dragonsreach," She asked the guard sweetly.
"Oh! Of course, dragonborn!" He eagerly lent his arm for her to lean on.
"Please, call me Ronna," She responded. "At least in public."
"Oh right, the Jarl said...sorry," The man faltered.
She glanced back to see Vilkas was already making his way past the statue of Talos. What did he do?! Jump over all the steps from Jorrvaskr?!
"Don't worry about it," She smiled. Silently, she was cursing the guard for not moving faster.
"Um, right. Thank you dr-um Ronna," The guard seemed to enjoy testing her name. "Hmm...Ronna...Ronna...that's a nice name…"
"Is that right?" She risked another glance and saw Farkas grab his brother's arm and bring him to a halt. Internally, she cheered.
"I'm Erald, I would be honored if you call me by such." He pointed to a pin with two crossed swords behind a dragon on his sash, "You can recognize me by this."
"That's interesting," Ronna absently stated. She was looking at the front door of Dragonsreach. Trying to judge how much further she had to go.
"I'm glad you think so!" Erald went on to explain the meaning behind the pin and how he got it to commemorate the battle at the Western Watchtower.
"Wow," Ronna said when there was a pause in the conversation.
Her eyes went back to the twins. Vilkas was now struggling to get out of his brother's grip and was extremely close to breaking out.
Panic started to sink in.
"I'm sorry Harold, but do you mind if we walk a little faster? There's a chill in the air."
"Oh, yea sure," The guard's voice sounded crestfallen, "And it's Erald."
"Right, right."
To Ronna's horror, Vilkas broke free and was now at the bottom steps.
I'm not going to make it to the door in time!
Swallowing her pride, Ronna decided to move on to her backup plan-she latched onto the man at her side and hoped Vilkas thought twice about murdering her in front of a city guard.
"Um something wrong?" Harold-Gerald -Erald- whatever his name- asked.
She didn't have time to respond, what felt like a blink of an eye, Vilkas had suddenly caught up with them.
"Thank you for helping, guard," His voice was even, but Ronna wasn't fooled. Vilkas was most dangerous when he appeared calm. "But I can assist her down the rest of the way."
Briefly, Ronna wondered if it was too late to pretend to faint.
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A/N (again): I'm pretty sure "human shield" isn't on the list of duties for a city guard, but the Dragonborn is supposed to be an exception to all the rules, right? ;)
