Ch. 7 Things to Come
I won't lie to you all, some parts of the next few chapters are probably going to be fillers but I can't do it completely between the Dragonborn and Alduin or else there would be no story. That being said, I enjoy the great attention this story has gotten and thank you for your support and I hope it continues well into the future!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all characters are copyright of Bethesda. MaChaoJustice, you had better finish the next chapter or else Aldy will find you!
"So the reports were true." Legate Rikke said as she and a platoon of Legion soldiers were stopped outside of Whiteruns gates.
"Yea, five dragons come from nowhere and do absolutely nothing but sit there." A guard said as he shrugged.
"That's not completely true; we did find a torn apart corpse behind the Dragonborn's house." A second guard said as Rikke raised an eyebrow.
"And you didn't investigate it?" She asked curiously.
"Was the same person who asked about the Dragonborn's adopted kids. He was caught by the dragons trying to get into the house." The second guard replied.
"I think I understand." Rikke said. "Do you know where Legate Marius went?" she asked with her arms crossed.
"High Hrothgar, if memory serves something about being challenged." The first guard said.
"When he returns, send him to Solitude." Rikke said as she turned around to address her troops.
"100 septims she forces him on date when he returns to Solitude." The first guard told his buddy.
"I'll take that and say that he is the one that forces it on her." The second countered as they both snickered.
-Scene Change-
Alduin grunted as she opened one eye and squinted when the sun shone directly at her. "Dur krein." she said as she felt a small object resting at her side just underneath her wing and she didn't need to look to know just what or who it was. "He may not be a true Dov but he does have his moments." Thinking back on their little battle got her mind racing about the fact that he nearly won and she would've had to reveal her most guarded secret and yet she couldn't think of a convincing reason to keep it hidden from him. 'Perhaps he has earned the right to know but it feels like it isn't time yet but soon it will be and I will show him just how…affectionate…dragons can be.' she thought as she lifted her wing and Marius got a face full of sunlight.
"Can someone shut the blinds?" He said as he moved his hands into his face to block out the sun.
Alduin had to suppress a small chuckle as Marius yawned before sitting up and opening his eyes. "Did you sleep well, Dovahkiin?" She asked as her voice became calm as he yawned again.
"I actually slept really well…you know you are comfortable for a dragon with scales." He said as her lips quivered with a repressed snarl.
"I am not a pillow!" She said heatedly as she swung her tail and got him across the face and Marius went face first again into the snow for the third time in the last day.
Odahviing let out a laugh as he observed them. "They do certainly fit together if their morning habits are like this."
Paarthurnax only put his head down. "Pogaan korosend saraan fah niin. Will they survive or will they fall?"
"You always were…lingrahso to many." Odahviing said in return.
"That may be but you cannot deny that I have reasons to be." Paarthurnax stated solemnly. "He came to learn and learn he did but now I fear that his new goal will bring more harm than help."
"Do you believe in him?" Odahviing asked suddenly.
"Geh ahrk nid. I believe in his goals but I do not believe that he could convince many to see." Paarthurnax said in sadness.
"Joor are short-sighted, especially when it comes to those that do not follow their way. He may have to strike down those that were allies to get his point across." Odahviing said as Paarthurnax grunted.
"That is why I am hesitant to fully believe in him." Paarthurnax said as they both fell silent as Alduin took off and left Marius on the mountain.
-Scene Change-
"It's quite amazing to see how everything quickly went back to normal. It's as if the dragons aren't even there." Balgruuf said as he had a lull in court.
"The guards have been getting bored with crime becoming non-existent and that the usual skirmishes with bandits have dropped but they aren't complaining." Irileth stated as she read a report.
"I am more concerned with the fact that he failed in his quest." Proventus said as he gave a sigh.
"Don't be too sure on that. I have yet to receive reports that the World Eater has attacked anywhere." Balgruuf said. "She might be alive but she has yet to continue her path of destruction."
"Something must've happened wherever they fought. Irileth, I want you to inform the guards that I want to speak with him when he returns." Balgruuf said as she bowed.
"It will be done my Jarl." She responded before she went to carry out his orders.
"I want to know just what happened in Sovngarde and find out just what is going on now." Balgruuf said to himself. "Proventus, go find me any books from the library about dragons. I have a feeling they might be important."
"Of course my lord." Proventus said as he left.
-Scene Change-
Marius trekked through the forests of Skyrim without any real destination except for home. The library in Solitude had been a huge bust and he doubted that any other place would have what he was looking for. "I really wish the Blades weren't thorough in their belief to destroy anything related to dragons." He said as he wandered towards Whiterun. "Wonder if the kids tore the house apart yet; Lydia is a great housecarl and all but babysitting isn't what she is for."
"Well now, looks like someone is a little lost." A voice said as a person dropped in front of him. The person was covered in black and red robes and the tone of voice meant that he wasn't a normal bandit. "And where are you going on this fine day?"
Marius sighed weary. "I already know who you are and why you are here so if you don't mind can we just get this over with?"
The assassin sneered. "Arrogance is deadly."
"A dragon is deadlier and a dead man says "what"." Marius said as he readied his Thuum. 'Don't need to waste my time on this.' He thought with internally.
"Dead man says what?" The assassin repeated before a blast of fire engulfed him.
"Exactly." Marius said as he looked at the blackened corpse of the assassin. "The Dark Brotherhood will apparently accept any idiot these days." Marius shook his head and continued walking.
-Scene Change-
"We will need to go around High Hrothgar to reach the summit." Esbern said as he and Delphine finally reached Ivarstead.
"Is there any way to do that?" Delphine asked as she looked at the mountain that separated them from their prey.
"Not that I know of but the Greybeards do have to sleep like everyone else so when it comes to that we can move through their hall silently." Esbern replied. "Let us rest for the night before we do anything." he said as she nodded and they moved to the inn.
"So tomorrow could be the last days of the Blades." Delphine said as they took a seat at the bar.
"Yes but at least it will be because of our war against the dragons and not by the hands of the Thalmor." Esbern replied as he took a swig of mead. "Will history ever forgive the Blades for our role in the dragon's downfall?"
"No one would ever understand why it had to happen. They will only blame the Akaviri and the Blades when the truth comes to light but no one will know why." Delphine explained as she too took a drink.
"The archivists always knew that a day would come when the secrets we kept were released." Esbern said. "We can only hope that people will keep an open mind about why."
"I'm turning in for the night." Delphine said as she walked away and Esbern sighed.
"Maybe the Dragonborn will forgive us for what we are going to do but I doubt it. The Blades justice must come before anything." Esbern said as he downed the rest of his drink.
-Scene Change-
"I don't know why you have to do this. You hate kids remember?" Arnbjorn said as Astrid packed a bag.
"Mercer has offered us a substantial payout if we take the Dragonborns head. The reward is well worth the headaches." Astrid replied as she finished packing.
"Make sure you bring back some trophies." Arbjorn said as she walked to the door.
"You know I will…try not to go wild while I am gone." Astrid said as she walked out of the door.
"Hunting a human with a dragon's soul; I envy her that she gets the contract and I don't, I could use a good hunt." Arnbjorn said as he gave a nasty smile. "I wonder how long she'll be gone."
"My guess, a few days at the most." Nazir said as he walked up. "All she has to do is slip a knife in his neck while he's asleep."
"Simple but effective, I like it." Arnbjorn said as he stepped to the door. "I'm going to follow her and help out. I need some fun as well and hearing girls scream in agony is a favorite pastime."
-Scene Change-
Alduin felt the wind beneath her as she flew into the blue sky. She felt free and happy but she felt alone. "Shame that the Dovahkiin can't fly or else he would be here." she said with sadness in her voice. "Hmmm, if that reverses my form could it work on reversing his?" she said to herself as she flew on. Her thoughts then turned to her oldest lieutenant and headache. "He should be grateful that I left him alive after his actions." she said angrily. "If it were any other dragon then they would be nothing more than a carcass on the ground. The Dovahkiin thinks highly of him though and that is the only reason he still alive." She perched herself on a rock overlooking the plains of Skyrim. "This would make a great nesting ground." she said as she looked around before a dragon landed beside her.
"Thuri, we have received some news from the town of Whiterun. Some joor tried to enter the Dovahkiin's house without permission and it was believed that he was targeting the young ones." the dragon said as Alduin's head did a sharp turn to look at him.
"And?" she snarled out. 'There will be five less dragons if they failed!'
"The attacker never made it inside and he was found the next morning; he was completely mauled and torn apart." the dragon replied as Alduin gave a satisfied snort and turned back to the plains.
"Good….." she said satisfied. "Return to Skuldafn and tell them we are moving soon."
"Yes thuri." the dragon said as he took off.
"If they can be convinced that it is for the better than we might have something to give the Dovahkiin some credit to work on." Alduin said to herself.
I am going to end it right here. I apologize if this feels rushed but combining work with strep throat isn't fun so I really haven't felt well this entire week. I did try though and I hope that is enough for most people. The part with Rikke was really just comedic relief or my attempt at it so don't think anything is going to happen.
Read and review and don't forget to check out my other stuff!
Translations from Thuum . org
Dur Krein – Curse the sun.
Pogaan korosend saraan fah niin – Many events await for them.
Lingrahso – Depressing
Geh ahrk nid – Yes and no
