This is a bit longer than usual and a bit later than I wished. Hope you like it!


Becoming a Legend


Hadvar huffed and said, "Don't call me captain…" Arturia smirked as she watched Hadvar down the ale she had given him. Hadvar glanced at her smug expression when the room started spinning.

"Wh-ha…?"

"Down with Ulfric! The killer of kings!

On the day of your death we'll drink and we'll sing…


Remember, all speech between dragons will inherently be in the dragon language unless there is a man/mer/non-dragon! Look for the 'DOVAH' at the start of a section that marks dragon POV

Chapter 6 RE – Lost in the shadow of the black wings unfurled.


Alduin's wings, they did darken the sky.

His roar fury's fire, and his scales sharpened scythes.

Men ran and they cowered, and they fought and they died.

They burned and they bled as they issued their cries.

DOVAH

I've developed a taste for charbroiled yak-cows and barbequed frost trolls. Both are surprisingly easy to come by and are quite filling. It's been some time since I dropped the Dragonborn off at High Hrothgar, nearly a month in fact, and I haven't seen hide or hair of her since.

I spotted those two legionnaires that caught my eye at Helgen a few days ago. The woman had been dragging the man into a mostly wrecked house when I flew over. I would have swooped down to get a closer look but the low-lying clouds were practically flooding the area. As much as it pains me to say it, I really don't like being cold. Sure the water is great if you're lounging in it in the middle of the day, especially in that lake southeast of Ivarstead, but flying in the rain really sucks. The water clings to you and the wind practically freezes it to your wings, making it harder to fly. And flying through snowfall and blizzards are ever worse!

*roar!*

"Dragon!"

I'd monologue more but I just spotted a young red below me swooping around a ruined fort. Intrigued, I lower my altitude and catch what he's screaming at the fort occupants.

"Dir med fin sunvaar hin kos, joorre!"

I stand corrected. She's attacking the fort. Hmm, I always wondered if there were any female dov around. Looks like I found one…

Just hope she doesn't try to kill me, like most females I run into…

Nedley, a lanky Imperial garbed as one of the many brigands of Skyrim, cowered in fear as the fort he and his fellows occupied. Far above the fort was red dragon that they had managed to piss off. Nedley shuddered as the walls shook and rubble fell around him. He had told those idiots not to mess with the beast; now look where it got them!

He knew it was a bad idea; after all, you never tickle a sleeping dragon!

His dear old granny, the Nine bless her soul up in Aetherius, had always told him that. He always thought it meant not looking for trouble but he never would have guessed she meant it literally. By Shor, whoever heard of a ticklish dragon?!

Well apparently this one was ticklish and his comrades had thought it funny to try and pat it on the neck while it was sleeping.

A blast of fire broke through the upper floors, causing the walls to collapse. When he opened his eyes and the dust settled, Nedley found that he was completely exposed to the attacks of the dragon. He spotted the dragon glaring down at him from above, so he did the only sensible thing at the moment: Nedley broke down and cried for his mommy…

"MMMMMOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMYYYY YYYY!"

I snorted when the shrill cry of a little girl filtered up from the fort. I would've been worried that child had gotten caught up in the angry gal's attack, but spotted the man who had squealed. Choking back a laugh, I swooped down a nipped the dragoness's neck and shot back up into the sky. I heard her shocked screech and the beating of her wings slowly gaining on me.

I let out a draconic-smirk as I lead the lass on a merry chase above the clouds, dodging blasts of fire all the while. After a good hour or so I could tell my pursuer was getting tired so I decided to let her off easy. I tucked in my wings and went into a steep dive towards the relatively warm waters of Lake Ilinata north of Falkreath.

Hearing her following at a much slower pace, I unfurled my wings a good mile above the waters and glided out of her way as she plummeted into the waters below. I wheeled around, watching as she thrashed angrily in the lake water. I would've taunted her if not for the fact that she had stopped thrashing and started sinking into the lake.

Fuck, she can't swim…"

Sighing dramatically, I dived into the water. Swimming as a dragon is a lot like slithering through the water. Floating under her, I guided her still body into the shallows and onto the shore. She crouched on the pebbled shore sputtering/glaring at me balefully. She looked ready to try and flame me again but just collapsed…

Hmm, what do I do know?


Two days prior - Falkreath Hold, Helgen , Captain Arturia's Cabin

Hadvar groaned as he came to. He groped randomly in the dark as he tried to regain his bearings. His wandering hands came upon something soft and warm so he buried his head between the two softest lumps of the pillow. He sighed and listened to the beating resonating from within the pillow…

Beating?!

Eyes snapping open, Hadvar bolted out of the bed and slammed onto the floor. The bed's other occupant screeched in surprise at the sudden loss of warmth, both Hadvar and the blanket.

"Gods Hadvar, what's going on?!"

Hadvar blinked at the shivering form of Arturia…a very naked Arturia.

"Ah, sorry..."

"Sorry my ass; get those sheets and get back in bed soldier!"

He draped the fallen sheets over both of them and settled back in bed, still a bit groggy. He laid there stroking her hair, silently trying to figure out how he got there when,

"I drugged your ale and we had sex…lots of sex. No close your eyes and go back to sleep, I'm bloody tired. You're bloody wonderful in bed Hadvar but a gal needs her rest."

He would've followed that order if not for the frantic pounding the door took at that very moment. Arturia bolted up, livid as a wounded sabre.

"…someone better be dying or Talos help me…"

Both got dressed and opened the door. Outside was a frantic Eirick stood there, blood seeping from a wound on his forehead.

"What's going on soldier?"

"B-bandits Captain! They're attacking us from all sides and outnumber us five to one! We've mounted a defense but I can't find Cpt. Hadvar anywhere!"

Arturia smacked the slightly delirious Nord and grabbed her armor and blade.

"He's in here with me! Get the troops into the keep yesterday soldier; Hadvar and I'll roundup any stragglers. Move it!"

Eirick nodded and bolted as fast as he could. Hadvar and Arturia, once armed, took off in separate directions, circling the keep and rounding up any soldiers they found. They met up at the keep and bolted the doors, securing everyone inside.

They moved further into the partially restored keep, passing the wounded and dying. They ended up in what was left of the fort commander's office with some of the senior soldiers.

"What's the situation Elsi?"

Elsi, a pale blonde Imperial in studded chainmail and the main strategist among them, pulled out a rough map of Helgen and pointed out several parts.

"We've taken heavy casualties; only twenty men are left able to fight. We've ten men wounded and nineteen dead. We've lost almost all our rations; only enough bread, water and dried meats to feed us for a week tops. Our main food storage was under the inn but the bastards were burning it last I saw."

Elsi dragged her hand across the map, a charcoal piece etching out X's in certain spots.

"They hit us hardest at the gates and completely slaughtered all the men we had on watch. They came under the cover of the morning mist and struck right as the guard was changing. *sigh* I don't see what we can do Cpt. Arturia…those doors won't hold too long and we aren't able to fight this many bandits off."

Arturia glared at the map, trying to figure out a solution when Hadvar spoke up.

"Farid, were you able to clear out those collapsed passages I mentioned; the ones leading through the caves?"

The Redguard who had been nursing a shallow cut on his arm started at Hadvar's question. He shook it off easily.

"We finished yesterday Hadvar, why?"

Hadvar smiled and yanked out another map, this one of the keep. Arturia was surprised to find that there were also a few new additions to the map, which she had drawn in the first place. Hadvar traced a path through the new sections.

"I found these caverns when I first escaped Helgen during the first dragon attack. I escaped through these tunnels. They lead out roughly a quarter mile north. If we're quiet, we can get the wounded out and to Falkreath."

Arturia let out a small gasp and beamed at the suddenly blushing Hadvar. Smiles appeared all around and the soldiers went about getting the wounded ready for transport.

"Brilliant Hadvar, another reason you're a captain. You really think ahead." "Thank yo-"

"Captains! They're breaking down the door!"

Both rushed through the halls. They found Eirick and some others barricading the main doors with whatever they could find. Thinking quickly Hadvar started issuing orders, surprising both himself and all the troops.

"Eirick, help Farid get the wounded into the caves below. Take fifteen of the able fighters and guide them to Falkreath."

The burly Nord was quick to obey and Hadvar turned to Arturia.

"Arturia, lead them and get the Jarl to send his guards to get rid of these bastards. I'll stay behind with the five remaining to keep them busy while you and the wounded escape."

She had been about to argue when Hadvar silenced her with a searing kiss. She stuttered an agreement and bolted deeper into the keep. Sighing, Hadvar and the five men that remained pulled out their weapons and shields. They prepared themselves as the barricade slowly fell apart, the bandits' battering ram slamming into the door.


DOVAH

So I fished the dragoness out of the lake and stayed with her until she woke up. And boy did she wake up; she took one look at me and I was slammed into the tree line by a shrill Unrelenting Force. I had barely recovered when she crashed on top of me and tried tearing my throat out.

It was familiar feeling to say the least…

Anyways, I tossed her off with a mild (-ish) Unrelenting Force of my own and pinned her long enough to get her to calm down. To say things were awkward would have been putting it lightly…

Daal-Frul-Vahkrut (Return-Ephemeral-Memory)

"Greetings, I am Krinvahzii, white elder and recently awakened. You are?"

"…Dunvenaaz…"

'Grace-Wind-Mercy?' "An apt name for one such as you."

"…red maiden and slave to Alduin…"

awkward.

Daal-Frul-Vahkrut

"…you say you are a slave to Alduin. Are you not a follower of the First-born, a willing servant of the World-Eater?"

The dragoness looked away pointedly but I persisted.

"If you wish to be free from the shadow of his black wings, trust in me. I too wish for freedom and can be counted as a friend to all those who oppose him. Merely speak your heart, Dunvenaaz…"

"…I-I do not wish to speak of such things! Leave me be!"

She roared and took off eastward and disappeared over the mountains. I sighed and took flight as well, heading south towards Helgen. I was curious about those two legionnaires, especially the woman. Something about her was very intriguing…her sword most of all.

Barely a minute in flight and I already spotted the female legionnaire. She was leading a caravan of injured soldiers to the town of Falkreath. Curious on where her male companion was, I titled towards Heglen and spotted the answer.

In the ruined courtyard of the keep were the legionnaire and three others. They seemed to have been cornered by a large group of bandits. I could see that that the four were exhausted and injured with no avenue of escape. Wait, make that just him; the others just got executed. He was fighting rather fiercely, taking at least twice as many bandits in exchange for each of his downed men. He was faltering though, his wounds taking their toll.

The brigands around him sensed the same thing and encircled him more closely, resorting to jeers, soft stabs and feints to keep him upright. That didn't seem fair…

Well, I was rather curious about him and the female with the sword. I didn't want either to die before I could satisfy that curiosity. With that in mind I decided to save the man and hopefully have a non-Greybeard mortal that would speak with me without trying to kill me/run away in terror.


Helgen Keep

Hadvar gritted his teeth as he forced himself to keep dodging their blades. He didn't know if he could keep this, this game up! His men were dead and he was sure to follow. The bastards were playing with him! Finally Hadvar stumbled and fell; this seemingly signaling the game's end. As the bandits closed in, he only had one thought:

'Arturia…'

Hadvar closed his eyes and envisioned her in all her glory; sorry that he wouldn't be able to see her at least one last time.

"Ha, the Imperial dog finally falls! Let's see if he bleeds just as good as his friends."

"Aye Gre-…" "Rrrooooaaaaarrrr!"

"What in Oblivion?!"

"Zu'u Krinvahzii! Bovul, fah him oblaan los het nivahriin joorre!"

"DRAGON!"

Hadvar's eyes bolted open and he looked up. There, coming right at them, was a white dragon! He was sure it was the same one that carried the Dragonborn off over a week ago. Body aching, Hadvar dragged his limp body towards one of the many piles of rubble, away from the scrambling bandits. Propping himself upon one of the broken stones, Hadvar could only gaze in awe as the white dragon slaughtered the brigands. Swooping down and lifting them away, drowning them in torrents of flame and ice; it was a completely one-sided massacre, just like the one that destroyed Helgen.

Finally the assault ended with all of the bandits dead or fleeing. Hadvar was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when the beast descended from the sky and landed right in front of him. Hadvar froze, staring right into its eyes, not daring to move an inch. He was ready to accept his imminent death when the beast spoke!

"Faas ni, joor fah zu'u aan fahdon."

"Ah, pardon?"

The dragon smirked.

"I forget that not many speak as dovah. Fear not, mortal for I am a friend."

"A friend? Can't say that I believe that; I'm not sure I can trust you not to eat me, friend."

"Hmm, how wise of you mortal. Then I swear upon Father Akatosh that I mean you and you ilk no harm. You have my word, mortal."

"Then call me Hadvar of Riverwood, Captain of the Imperial Legion"

"Krinvahzii of Monahven, one who opposes Alduin's rule."

Hadvar nearly choked on his tongue. The World Eater?!

"Wait, Alduin as in the World Eater? As in 'Bane of Kings' and 'hunger to swallow the world'?"

"Aye, twas Alduin who first appeared in this era, burning this town to the ground. He has returned to fulfill his oath and devour the entire world. I was among those who would stand against him; not all dovah follow Alduin of their free will. It is with the Dovahkiin that our hopes rest, for only through her may Alduin fall."

"If this Civil War continues, the Dovahkiin will not have the strength to defeat Alduin. With every death Alduin grows more powerful. Each soul is His to devour; none will reach their beloved Sovngarde."

Hadvar would have asked more but he heard a warcry from beyond the dragon. Both glanced behind and spotted Arturia charging with a dozen Falkreath guardsmen at her back. Hadvar saw Krinvahzii roll his eyes at the charging women and take off, swooping around Helgen and dodging their arrows.

"Hadvar!"

He turned back and Arturia slammed into him, trying to drag him away from the ruins.

"Come on Hadvar! We have to get away!"

"Arturia! *Hadvar grabs her, stopping her* Get them men to stand down!"

"Wha-…"

"Hurry!"

Confused, Arturia followed his orders and the guardsmen gathered around the two. They warily eyed Krinvahzii as he circled, coming closer with every pass. They nearly attacked again when the white dragon landed upon the crumbling wall, looking upon them from above.

Arturia, for the first time, wondered if Hadvar was insane. She watched fearfully as he got up and limped past the tense guards. She could see them readying their bows. Arturia wanted nothing more than to grab Hadvar and drag him all the way to Falkreath, away from this madness.

She was ready to do just that when he actually started talking to the dragon!

"Sorry about that, friend. Cpt. Arturia panicked when she spotted us."

To her immense surprise, the beast actually talked back. The sight caused the guards to nearly drop their weapons in shock.

"Hn, faas ni Hadvar-fahdon. It is laughable to think that they could actually harm one such as I!"

Arturia edged forward and grabbed Hadvar's arm, holding him as if the world was about to end and the ground about to crumble beneath their feet.

"H-Hadvar? W-what is going on?!"

He glanced at her and shrugged.

"Well, this dragon saved my life. It drove off the bandits after they killed my men.

She gazed up at the white dragon who was practically smirking at them both. Squaring her shoulders, Arturia stepped forward and bowed gratefully at him.

"W-well then, I thank you for your aid. I don't know what I'd do without Hadvar; Thank you dragon."

She straightened and the dragon's maw was but a foot from her face. Its hot breath stunk of sulphur and flame.

"You are welcome, Yol-vahdin. To speak truthfully, I did not aid him purely out of the goodness of my heart. Tell me, that sword you wield; what is its name? From whence did it come?"

Arturia was stumped; she didn't know how to take that.

"Uh, this sword is an heirloom of my family. 'The Flame of the West, Anduril' has been a treasure of my family for generations. None but a Lost-Saint may wield it. My ancestor, Arthur Lost-Saint was the one who first wielded it; no one knows where he got it."

'Hmm, so this is my mortal descendent…wait… Hadvar smells strongly of her and she of him… Both stink strongly of each other and neither share each other's blood… He's been bedding her?!'


DOVAH

"Hadvar-fahdon… I do not know whether to devour you, or praise you, for your insolence…"

"Wait, what?!"

We need saviors to free us from Alduin's rage.

Heroes on the field of this new war to wage.

And if Alduin wins, man is gone from this world.

Lost in the shadow of the black wings unfurled.