Chapter 9: Introductions.


Unfortunately, Alduin had a change of heart when deciding where to go. She gave a sigh as she made a choice to take me to where the Dragons had been largely hiding out at, Skuldafn.

I had suggested that we go there just so we could get the whole thing over with. She had "Just wanted to spend time with me." As she stated. But agreed with me that we had to go. It was going to be weird having to be around so many Dragons or few though my only concern was getting away from this cold air.

I could see ancient Nordic ruins on a mountain through all of the clouds as our arrival became imminent.

I calmed myself for the meeting, I know I would be fine especially with Alduin around though I suppose she didn't want to be here herself….

I could see Dragons flying about almost aimlessly, and I saw many. Their sizes made it seem as if there were close to a thousand Dragons here and perhaps there were that many just waiting.

She seemed to take me off to a more isolated area of the mountain the ruin was on as she Shouted a few names that I did not recognize at all, not that I had known any before her…...Personally at least.

She began to land as I now spotted the silhouettes of 4 other Dragons that were almost as large and powerful in appearance as she was.

The wind seemed to calm down as the approaching Dragons landed as well, I could now see their appearances. I recognized one of them, the one with the Red scales. I could see a slight smile on his Draconian, non-humanoid face.

A female Dragon was taking place by his side almost protectively in a mirror of Alduin with me. The other ones regarded me with curiosity, though they seemed to recognize me in a sense. I figured Alduin had originally talked about me with at least one of them but it seemed she had spoken to the rest about me in particular.

An almost awkward silence went about before Alduin spoke.

"Kinsmen. This my most wonderful mate Ruigus, you knew him as the Dovahkiin." She said, almost gesturing me with her wings with a surprising bounce to her movements

"Uh hi." I said, taken aback by the introduction and the presence of all the Dragons around me. All but one of them seemed happy, the one with the horns so sharp it rivaled Alduin's looked on with a blank expression. The one with the black and red scales that looked very fearsome giggled at my greeting, I could identify her as a female if it were not so clear to tell before.

"Well? Introduce yourselves to him!" Alduin demanded.

"Odahviing, you have run into Ruigus yourself." She said, starting with the red scaled Dragon over to the left. At least he was a familiar face, or snout face rather.

"Of course Thuri, Dovahkiin it is good to see you again. I am Odahviing, Thuri's best. I am pleased to see you are well after our last meeting and as Thuri's mate." Odahviing said respectably.

"And this is my mate." He said, motioning with his wings towards the female with the almost similar looking red scales. Her rather softer face expression was smiling.

"I am Lokyolkriaan, and my mate is Odahviing. The same way you are Alduin's, and she has talked quite a lot about you. I can already see why you took a very important piece of her heart Dovahkiin." The Dragoness said kindly.

"Thanks I guess." I said meekly. The other Dragon that seemed to almost resemble Alduin edged a bit closer to us.

"My name; dear adorable little Dovahkiin is Faaskunven. And I do like the sight before my eyes." She said with a seductive tinge, Alduin growled.

"Knock it off, or are you asking me to make you suffer?" Alduin threatened the mischievous Dragon before she gave a quick giggle in response, the giggle sounded almost thunderous.

"I am only just teasing the handsome human, it's credit where it's due. I am happy to lay eyes on you boy." She said with a little less teasing and more modesty. I stopped a tiny laugh.

"The emotionless one is Wuthdeinkinbok. I would not mind him if he were you, he's always been like that." The Dark Dragoness said while motioning over to him.

He grumbled a little before speaking.

"Nice to meet you dovahkiin." I could detect no negativity in his words, but he did seem a bit more friendly in them come to think of it.

I could hear Alduin almost give a soft sigh before she spoke once more.

"I appreciate your respect towards me and my mate. Ruigus, you should be able to trust them as I have trusted them ever since the beginning of my ascent to power." She said, she seemed to be being hit by nostalgia.

"And one day we shall rule over more than anything we could have wished for back then." Odahviing nodded.

"We will Thuri." He said. Alduin seemed to contemplate something for a little bit.

"Hmm…I will need a moment to think about our next move. My mate I would suggest you talk to my friends while I fly about to clear my thoughts, it is best if you acquaint yourself with them." I nodded in response.

"Sure, it seems like a good idea for us both." I said to her. Alduin started to lift off after I finished my sentence.

"I will be back shortly!" She yelled, going off in a direction to the west of us over the mountain. The 'Circle' started to rest a little bit and would occasionally glance at me while I heard Faas talking to Lok as I first approached Odahviing, the one I knew the most out of them all.

"It has been a while Dovahkiin." He said to me while bowing slightly.

"Certainly!" I agreed eagerly.

"So…..What have you been up to? I'm pretty sure Alduin has already said everything that there needs to be said about me." The Dragon gave a slight mournful sigh.

"Nothing other than tending to this fortress and my mate, the most excitement I have had was when I talked to you. I would hunt but it seems my mate takes care of that already." His eyes shifted slowly from her to me again.
"I am surprised that Thuri has not tasked me with more as her most direct subordinate, I believe that even Wuthdeinkinbok is accomplishing more than me now." His voice became a bit soft.

"That Dov has more than his own share of work other than leading Alduin's finest Dov himself." He finished.

"He leads an elite unit of Drago-er I mean Dov?" I corrected myself in Thu'um.

"Indeed." Odahviing said simply.

"Huh." I replied, being simple as well.

"Honored Dovahkiin, if you ever need my assistance simply Shout my name, and I will come. Sometimes I and my mate will respond to you. Just be sure you do it outside somewhere, hard enough to hear as it is with all those young upstarts flying around." Odahviing said.

"T-Thanks. So you will be able to hear me no matter where I am outside?" I asked him. Shouldn't I be able to do that with any other Dragons too?

"Not everywhere, but Skuldafn is in a good position in this land. I would suggest not going too far South as by the time you get there Dovahkiin thuri, I would not be able to assist you." He said without blinking, and it was the first time I noticed that Dragons had eyelids, unlike any other creature I had seen. Though I guess it was a bit hard to notice these things when you had to worry and fight for your own life.

"I guess I should keep that in mind if I don't want to get ambushed by every enemy imaginable here in Skyrim in that area, but I think I can manage especially with Alduin next me, also I believe we will not be alone for much longer." I said while thinking about the Blades and the Imperial Legion. I think things will only get busier from now on.

"Of course. What else do you need of me?" He asked me.

"Nothing else, thank you Odhaviing." By the Divines it was getting cold on this mountain.

I now approached Wuthdeinkinbok, Lok and Faas were conversing with the other so I figured I would go for him next.

"Hello." I said warmly, the great horned Dragon stared at me.

"Greetings." He said with indifference. A tiny pang of nervousness hit before being put away by optimism.

"I am pleased to meet you myself. Tell me, what it is that you do?" The Dragon grumbled a bit to himself much like that one bitter old man Kvatch would usually do upon hearing bad news.

"A plethora of work, however not as much as I expected or would have liked." A rather thoughtful reply from him came.

"Regardless, what I do is take command of a unit of Dov that follow our Thuri's instructions with no hesitation. We still have yet to revive even one of them." It seemed that there were hundreds of Dragons still dead, I wonder how many had died in that war all those years ago. And how few of them were left.

"I have been tasked by Thuri to reconstruct this old city to it's old glory. I and the Dov placed under my watch are to complete it soon, a small step." If they were to ever recover it would take years.

"No doubt about that. I am not sure how we are all going to proceed with these…...Plans of ours." His gaze softened for a split second.

"I am certain you and Thuri will know soon."

"I could say the same as well I think, thank you." I said happily in contrast to his polite blankness of emotion.

"Well…...Until next time." I need to get used to talking to these Dragons sometime, I feel kind of awkward just from trying to converse with them.

Taking a glance at him while heading towards the two female Dragons who had still been talking all this time I noticed Wuth tying to get some sleep in as he closed his eyes and lowered his form to the ground.

Turning back around I almost walked face to face with Faas.

"Welcome Dovahkiin Ruigus, what can we both do for you?" The Dark Dragoness greeted with a smile matched by Lok. I tried to hold back a bit of a blush but I think it showed.

"E-Er N-Nothing, just wanted to talk that's all really." Faas giggled sweetly.

"About what then?" She asked, both her and Lok had their eyes locked onto me. I saw that Lok had the same green snake like eyes that Odahviing had. And Faas had Orange eyes. I managed to recover myself as I asked the next question.

"Well I want to ask you about Alduin." I said, looking slightly up at them, a nervous smile on my face. Faas smiled a little bit while Lok gained a concerned look.

"I just thought I could use your advice on her as odd as that sounds and I just want to know other things I haven't learned about her yet. I mean I know I should be experiencing and learning more about her from herself personally in our interactions…..But I just cannot help but think that I need to be sort of understand more of her I guess." I scratched the back of my head.

"I think I want to know more on why she loves me out of all things or any other individual you know?" …..That kind of is a depressing sentiment now that I think about it.

There was a silence for a moment before Lok opened her maw.

"At first she seemed to think not much of you at the very least in terms of being a threat, yet after one day she seemed to start saying some almost uncharacteristic things of her." I saw her pause for a moment. Faas opened her mouth but then shut it patiently.

"She said that she wanted to protect you, Dovahkiin. And I understand that she seemed to admire you." I blushed inwardly at the revelation, it was odd how the books on her had loosely said of her cruelty and harshness at times. I wondered if her defeat due to the rebels had changed her on a personal scale, no pun intended.

"….I see." I said with a bright smile, I still had no clue on why she did but I could perhaps understand one day.

"Our friend truly does have feelings for you Ruigus, while she has given no reason I think she has taken a subtle approach." Faas inputted, as if finishing for Lok.

"You will have to see for yourself." Faas said with a kind concern.

"I know. Now it's time to wait for her to come back I guess." I said, starting to lay my back against the ground.

"Does she usually do this?" I suddenly asked, causing the patient Dragonesses to go into motion.

"Yes. She may sometimes be quick to act but there are times where she contemplates on one thing before handling it. Our Thuri is smarter than any other being in the world" Lok said.

"It's good that she takes some time off then." Lok stared smiled while Faas sighed.

"Sometimes I do wish I had time off myself. It gets to all be such a droll all too quick." The dark red Dragoness said, staring off into the distance.

Lok said nothing while I rested myself on the ground, trying to get a quick nap.

"Ah there she is." I hear Odahviing say while I jumped up, I hadn't even felt the vibrations of his footsteps coming or any sound from him. I stared at him to try and manifest the reason that was possible but sure enough Alduin landed down rather elegantly in front of me and Wuth awakened with a thunderous yawn.

"I am finished. And I come to the conclusion that everything is following a correct path, though I trust that I will be able to accelerate both our status and position soon." She said to the four Dragons before turning to me.

"You are one of the Dov now my mate. None will dare ever to attack you, as if they would even try when I am with you." Her voice sounded cool and confident, and the group of Legendary Dragons nodded in agreement to her words.

"T-Thanks Alduin." I said, blushing. I saw her smile brightly.

"Don't think much of it my darling." She replied, almost suggestive at the end.

"I take it the meeting is adjourned?" Faas asked Alduin, somewhat crestfallen.

"Yes yes carry on as usual. In my absence I will leave it to you all to make your decisions as you choose to do so long as you work together in perfect cohesion. Now I must take my leave with my mate, I want to enjoy as much time with him as I can." All but Wuth smiled knowingly at that last sentence.

"Do you have everything with you?" Alduin asked me as I was dragged out of some abstract thoughts. I pulled out her armor and her sword, I saw a small grin on her face as she saw it. It was kind of funny how Dragons did their facial emotions. The other Dragons said their goodbyes and left us to ourselves.

"Hop on." She said, lowering down one of her wings. With a smile I did as she said all the meanwhile chattering my teeth due to how bloody cold it was. I was just thankful I stuffed some parts of my armor with cloth.


Alduin had transformed back when we made it back to Bleak Falls Barrow. I was about to give her back her items when she had something to say to me, albeit nude.

"Darling…When Faaskunven tried that…..Playful and joking flirt with you I couldn't help but feel as if she were infringing on us and our love." I stood in place, a soft expression on my face as her eyes were still locked onto mine. She was upset, even if by a little.

"I want to claim you once more, as I had….Back when we were inside your home." I blushed hard.

"Wh-What are you going to d-do Alduin?" I asked my wife. She smirked confidently and hugged me close to her, I was thankful that it was almost nighttime and we were in a hidden spot.

"I am going to suck every bit of what you have left out. I will not stop until I am satisfied and you are relishing in delight." She said, patting my head and rubbing it for a few seconds. Her scaled hand was soft as it trailed across she brushed some of my hair before returning down to holding my back.

I quickly realized she wanted to commit an act of Sodomy, a disdainful thing against the Divines.

"Al-Alduin it's Sodomy! I cannot do that and sin against the Divines!" I alarmingly said to the Goddess, but her smile grew ever lewder.

"Haha~ Rugy~Ru…..I am a Goddess myself, and a Daughter of two of them no less. I can do whatever I want with you~" She sang as I could feel her grasp growing tighter, but she knew not to crush me.

She seemed to giggle as her hands lowered down to my p, a bit of excitement went through me but I wanted to not go through with this…..At least not yet.

"Alduin…..Please." I begged her. Alduin's hands retracted and her face had a heart breaking sad expression. Even her ethereal eyes reflected this crestfallen state.

"Alduin, I would be happy to do it later but just not now." She brightened up, I thought I saw a hint of a tear in her eyes.

"A kiss?" She abruptly asked, I smiled.

"Always, no matter where." And her lips were on mine as pressed herself once more onto me. Passion stemmed from us both as the kiss continued. We continued to go through a good three minutes or more before we ended.

"I love you." Alduin said to me as a whisper and a declaration all in it's own.

"I love you too." I said, resting my head on her bare shoulder. I loved the feeling of her soft skin, even the scales….

I lifted my head up and stared back into her eyes, they sweetly glowed in happiness.

"Ruigus…." Alduin trailed.

"I never thought I would ever have a mate. For so long I never could fall for anyone you know? It was strange because I never really felt anything at all, I just wanted my own ambitions more than anything else I suppose. Though when I was defeated and was forced to go through time by those…...Cowards I inwardly changed." Her expression softened.

"The moment I laid eyes on you…...I felt a sense of peace….It was something I never felt before in my entire life. When I read your emotions and feeling as well as attitude I could tell you were…...different than anyone else, and your shyness at times really was adorable. I liked the feeling of you being enamored by me and I felt a sort of connection to you that wasn't unique just because you were the Dragonborn, it was your soul." Alduin finished with her hand taking mine to her heart.

"Forever…." She said dreamily.

"Mine." A possessive aura filled the air and I saw a quick glimpse of madness in her eyes.

I continued to stay silent for her. Alduin only giggled and tackled me down to the ground.

"I think we can go to sleep like this do you not agree?" Her body was the warmest thing I ever felt, it seemed she was able to change her body heat at will which was impressive.

"I do Alduin, thank you so much for everything." I think I made a bit of an understatement there. Either way she smiled warmly.

"I would take on the whole world for you." She said, her golden eyes were as beautiful lamps in the darkness around us.

"Actually, that is already what we are doing." My wife said, laughing.

I laughed along with her. I felt so safe and happy with her, although taken aback by the amount of craziness going on…...And her naked form on top of me.

After we finished laughing we said nothing, there was no need for words. We began to fall asleep soon after. But I couldn't stay asleep.

Her breasts were nearly pressing into my face and her tail would sometimes wrap around my legs too tightly, her wings were a comfort though, at least they would be outside of the armor but I did feel better than I would without her doing so.

Mara? What have you done to the both of us?

Instead of praying to the Divines that night I decided to try and pray to Alduin instead. I tried to say it all in a way she would have liked it, but I think I may have slightly messed it up.

Right before I closed my eyes one more time I thought I saw Alduin's sleeping smile get bigger.


The next morning she had already dressed out and was sitting on a rock next to me. I awoke to the sound of her humming gently. Her song-like voice was heaven to my ears as every other bit of her was heaven to the rest of my senses. I think she was about to break out into song as I woke up.

"Good morning my love." She calmly said. I rubbed my eyes quickly and yawned.

"G-Good morniiiiiing my love." I repeated slowly with another yawn.

"Awwww is the Dragonborn tired?" She teased.

"Yeah…..." I grabbed tiredly grabbed everything I had, even though most of it was already with me.

"Do you want to go back to Whiterun and begin our journey to the Imperial Camp?" Alduin asked as I sat down next to her. Her arm was wrapped around the back of my neck.

"Yeah, let's go when you want to." I told her, leaning into her embrace.

"I say we stay like this for a few minutes then go alright?" I received a head pat, my smile got wider than it usually was by instinct alone when she did that.

"Yay!" I said giddily with a giggle, I was in a bit of funny mood today. She raised an eyebrow with an amused smile.

"I didn't know you really liked me doing that." She said, cupping my chin with one of her now human fingers.

"…...I guess so." I stated. Her grasp on me lasted for a few more minutes before she let go.

"Let's get going." She stood up and stretched and I followed suite.

She seemed to be in a far better mood than yesterday.

I heard my stomach growl as we reached the foundations of the mountain, by the Divines I was getting very hungry.

"And let's get something to feast on, I haven't eaten in a while." Alduin grumbled to me. I brought my bag up to my chest and checked where I put the food at, most of it was rotten as I had not eaten it in days but I sure had a lot of drinks left, even wine. Thankfully the bread didn't mold on me and the Salmon was still in good condition.

"Welp, I should have thrown these out earlier." I said to myself despite Alduin being in hearing distance.

"What?" She said softly, curious. I pulled out the moldy and rotted food and shook my head as Alduin slightly cringed.

"I'm going to just throw it away now, no point in keeping it." I said as I discarded the food.

"Hm, we should have taken the chance to eat it before, perhaps we should go hunting on the way towards that city." Her head turned in the direction of Whiterun. I didn't think there was barely any grounds for us to go hunting on, I'd love to give it a try sometime for sure it's just that our location wasn't that good for it.

"I think I'll just buy something for us. I don't think there is a good spot for hunting in this area considering there really is no room and most of the Plains are just used for farming, we'd be hard-pressed to find something." I told her as she gave a small sigh.

"Unfortunate." Alduin said, walking side by side we began walking on the stone paved road.

As we continued walking her hand reached out for mine again and she allowed me to accept the hand.

She hummed while doing so and had yet another happy skip to her movements I smiled and I joined in to keep up with her, if anyone could have seen us we would have seemed so ridiculous.

With a finish and a laugh Alduin spoke.

"Alright, enough of that silliness."

Whiterun came into view seconds after. A memory of when I had first seen the great city manifested in my mind. It had been so long ago it seemed, or had it? I think it were a month or two ago when I first came here. And so much had changed….Too much almost.

I had first come alone when I walked through this same old path, but here I was, with Alduin. Inwardly, I smiled.


Not much else happened other than us enjoying a rather big breakfeast due to the generosity of the Inn owner and the amount of money I brought with me. I really liked Whiterun though I preferred the way Solitude looked, it seemed more elegant and quite frankly I always appreciated the sights of such things.

I started thinking about the Blades, for a moment I had stood, stunned at the possibility of them finding out Alduin's real identity. I am going to have to tell them sooner or later, I'll just see if it will be nasty or not. Still…..I wonder where that messenger was. Alduin had talked to him once if I remember correctly but where was he? Could he or she perhaps be some random person following us? I'll just have to indirectly ask someone if they are an agent and be subtle about it.

I guess I'll find who it is when I know it.

Going back into the fields of Whiterun we walked past the rotting bodies of those who had died in the battle, still left there and unattended to. Some were still in puddles of mud that had been created when it had rained the day Alduin…..Confessed her love.

The happy thoughts of that day were ruined as the last amount of bodies still laid in the dirt with those pained and horrified expressions.

I was just thankful we got out of there quickly. While Alduin was not affected by the sights as I was she did look concerned about me. I gave her a reassuring nod and a small smile and she took it for what it was.

Now, the way to the camp laid in enemy territory, we passed by a bunch of soldiers who said that the main village holding the roads that led to Dawnstar from the west was captured by the Stormcloaks at the same time they attacked Whiterun. Meaning the only safe route would be from Solitude itself. So me and Alduin made a plan, we were going to sneak through the heavily occupied town and depending on the size of the garrison harass them so they could be weakened for an Imperial assault to succeed.

There was a fort in the area as well, but that was out of the way and unimportant for the moment. Though the possibility of anything happening at that village meant reinforcements from it. The variety of options we had to cause distractions made mad grins appear on both of our faces as we plotted.

Though in the end we just decided that we would go with whatever there was to be seen. One piece of good news is that we did have cloaks…...Whatever good they would do as we would probably still be seen by any curious patrols the Stormcloaks most like moving around. Or perhaps the could be marching for another assault on the now refortified city.

Unlikely, but possible.

Now that I remember, we were actually going to sneak through the fields and cause a distraction by burning a huge amount of wheat and hay and run as quickly as we could towards the way out. Again, that's if they had a field of wheat and hay.

Not more than half an hour had gone by before we found the river, and no sign of any Stormcloaks anywhere. I think we had ourselves a free pass to get through.

"There it is, and none of those upstarts to be seen." Alduin said, venomous at the word 'upstarts'. I think that this rebellion that was going on now mirrored hers in a subtle way.

It was very coincidental come to think of it, she comes back in a time where all empires and kingdoms are teetering on the edges of collapse loosely similar to the times she was in.

Heh, back then the Dragons were overthrown by the Nords and now it seems Elves are going to overthrow the reign of humans or what remains of it.

"You know Alduin I've been thinking and it's kind of funny that you come back as soon as a rebellion starts, this was the perfect time for you to return. The more I think about it, I mean you'll be able to easily conquer all of this land in no time. And I don't mean just Skyrim." Alduin who was scanning around at the moment turned her head towards me as we walked quietly.

"Ha! That is certainly quite right. For despite what those meddling rebels did to me in the past I now have you and another chance to accomplish what I have always wanted." She said with a grin.

"Still…...I remain surprised by how many of us they were able to slaughter, especially considering how they all….Forgot about our existence almost." Her head dropped as if to hear something on the ground itself.

"I sense a presence, it is close!" She alerted me as I stepped onto a grey rock.

"Which dire-!" Suddenly the rock I stepped on rose up causing me to trip over, I quickly rolled away from it as I now saw a few Mudcrabs walking towards us. Alduin quickly thrusted her sword into the Mudcrab directly in front of me just as I was about to pull Dragonsbane from the scabbard and kill it.

"What are these creatures? They are horrendous to look at." Alduin reached for my hand and I took hers as I stood back up. The other Mudcrabs crawled slowly to us.

"Mudcrabs. Their pincers won't go through our armor but by goodness do they hurt if they get you!" I said.

"We probably shouldn't use a Shout too….." I said as she studied the encroaching creatures.

"Pffft, that would make things more fun." Alduin said with some sarcasm as she prepared a fireball.

"Should we really kill them all? Someone might notice, and…..It seems a tad bit excessive. Don't you think?" Her gaze switched from them to me as she put it away.

"Good point my love, I get carried away sometimes." They were about to get into pinching distance.

"We should probably go now…." I said awkwardly.

"Certainly." She kicked one away and started to run away with me. By the Divines this path was littered with them as more and more popped up from their hiding spots. 'The Stormcloaks must have been training an army of Mudcrabs' I thought jokingly to myself we seemed to get clear. I panted while looking back. No sign of any Mudcrabs, we had lost them but I think we stirred up the entire area.

Birds flew overhead and I spotted a few Deer and Elk run away, though I think it was from us.

"Is-There anything else chasing us?" I asked, using a tree as minor support as I leaned into it.

"No….I think we are clear." Alduin said while placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Oh I'm fine, just glad to have had a run like that, good exercise that was!" I said with a laugh.

"Ah it is always good for to stretch one's legs out." Alduin said with a tinge of wisdom.

"I always did like running Alduin." I replied.

"I am starting to like it myself, I must say this entire experience has made me like my Human forms better. I've had quite some fun with them." A grin appeared on her face as I blushed, her words sounded suggestive.

"Whence we get out of of our here and go find a more….Private area I'm claiming you once more, alright?" She asked me as her breathing got hot and heavy next to me.

"Y-Yes I'd love to!" I eagerly said, stifling a giggle.

"Good!" She said with a kiss on my cheek causing blood to rush to my cheeks.

After a few moments of silence I decided to break it.

"So do you think we went past that field? I think we must either be right near it or a mile away even." I said. Alduin looked up to the sky in contemplation for a few seconds.

"No…...I think we are next to it actually, let us go see and start a good fire." She finished darkly, an evil look came across her face. She would have looked terrifying if she hadn't meant well.

While I looked at her I suddenly remembered we had brought the horse, and it should be following us as well. It seemed to have a mind of it's own that was completely loyal to me, I think Alduin had said to me that it was a gift from one of the Divines, but she didn't say specifically who it had been, I think it may have been either Talos or…..Someone else looking out for me.

So far I had been guided by them. And I was thankful for it.

"Let's do it, besides this place could use a little bit of….Heating up." I said with a mischevious look. Alduin giggled.

"That's the spirit my love! There is nothing wrong with causing a tiny bit of suffering for our enemies." In just a few instants we had turned from good to evil. Great.

Starting for a small rise in the land I could see the fields, there was not a single soul in sight.

The field itself on the other hand was rich with wheat, hay piles, and other things and strange plants that I had not seen before. But I did hear of them, I think they called the plants "Corn" a silly name that was to me.

I wonder how it burned.

"Should we have myself Shout and burn it which would make more noise and bring more attention quickly which would be a double edged-sword or do you want to burn it with magic?" Alduin flashed a flirty smile.

"We'll Shout it out toge-"
"Good to see you my lord!" A friendly yet crispy sounding feminine voice came from behind as I turned wide eyed.

"Oh it's you, hello Agent." Alduin said to the disguised figure who was standing behind us hidden in the trees with us.

"Hello to you too Alavia." The figure then looked at me, I could tell she was definitely female. The only features of her face that was revealed at the time was silvery eyes.

"What is the matter here?" She asked.

"Oh it's just that we are going to set to this field and we are going to have to run out of here as quickly as possible because we are expecting for this place to be swarming with Stormcloaks. Right after we do so." I said to her as I wondered as to why she would show up now.

"Erm, you should probably get going before anything bad happens here." I said to her as she stood next to a tree unblinking.

"I'll escape with you. I have to follow you around anyways and I wouldn't be doing a very good job of protecting our Emperor to-be if I didn't yes?" She said with a friendly wink.

Alduin strode protectively in front of me.

"I do a good enough role and job of that thank you very much!" She said fiercely, almost growling and threatening to turn into one of her other forms. The Agent put up her hands on her sides.

"I know you do, it's just that I'm here to watch and assist and carry messages from the side. Besides, somebody has to keep an eye on that horse of yours, it's part of my responsibility now if the adorable thing gets into a dire situation." The Agent said, her black cloak was swaying in the wind and it seemed to be revealing pieces of Blades armor. She was well prepared for any fight and you pretty much had to be for the type of job she was in.

"Wait, you did go through the mudcrab horde correct?" Alduin questioned her, the Agent merely shrugged.

"No but I brought the horse alon-"

"Look can we just please start the fire!?" I yelled, too eager to get this started. Alduin and the Agent turned to look at me.

"We are lucky that the Stormcloaks are…...doing whatever Akatosh knows they are doing inside that town over there, though I probably imagine that they are busy getting drunk on Ale and all of that despite their loss yesterday. But that doesn't matter I guess. Point is we need to burn it and get out of here before someone bad shows up." I said. Though if we did take him out he wouldn't be able to tell anyone else….Actually then that means his friends would figure out something had happened to him and would have searched the whole area out so that was out of the question. A part of me thinks we might be able to handle whatever they throw at us however.

"…...Good point my lord." The Agent said politely. I couldn't help but think that my interruption had ticked her off but if there was any annoyance I didn't detect it.

Alduin looked at me for a moment, her countenance showed some renewed eagerness.

"Yes. Let us do it." Immediately a fireball was summoned in her hand.

"This will give them a bit of a nuisance to deal with." I said evenly.

"Let's burn it." I said to Alduin as flames leaped forth from her hand in an unending tide.

The plants and crops made cracking sounds as they were scorched and crumbled. Smoke filled the air and I coughed a couple of times as I breathed some in, the Agent did the same while Alduin seemed immune to it or was simply holding her breath.

"Alright, let us away!" I yelled to the two as I began sprinting in the direction to out camp.

"I'm with you." Came Alduin. Her voice was calm as ever, and she was running alongside me.

I gave a quick movement with my hand that signaled acknowledgment and thankfulness while it was to be expected I still felt like doing so.

The sound of hooves hitting a paved that could only belong to a Horse frightened me. We were still next to a road and if one of the Rebels were on horseback it would be bloody if the horseman managed to get any any comrades to hunt us down. We could most likely take them on, but sometimes it's better to be safer than sorry. Though I guess I might be a hypocrite in that regard.

I was about ready to pull out my sword and shield from their sheath's and attempt to kill the person on the horse when I realized it was the Blade's Agent riding it. She slowed down and kept a pace similar to ours with Trun, if that really was the Horse's name.

"Majesty! Hop on!" She yelled.

"Keep going! I'll be fine with Alavia!" I said to her while keeping up my pace.

"As you say my lord. See you soon!" She then rode off along the road to our left.

It seemed it was only for a few seconds before she disappeared out of our sight.

"Where'd she go?" I whispered to myself. With a quick glance I noticed that trees had obscured the road. This large valley was certainly great for an ambush in each of it's little 'corners' I guess is how one could put it.

Both I and Alduin kept running for about a minute when we heard some talking.

"Hey! You there stop!"

Immediately a patrol of seven Stormcloaks appeared right before us. Me and Alduin stopped dead in our tracks as they pulled out their weapons.

"Well!? Who are you and what are you doing here!?" The same man who had yelled before said to us. Me and Alduin stood silent with our hands at our sheaths while he made an audible gasp.

"It can't be! It's the accursed Dragonborn and the Black haired witch! Make them suffer!" He screamed as he rushed for my neck with his axe and shield in hand both ready to strike.

A slash across his upper chest was all that was needed to kill him. I felt a bit sad as I noticed the half terrified and vengeful look on his face. A splash of blood hit my face as Alduin killed two others in one strike.

I managed to parry a blow from another Stormcloak and kill him while his comrade managed to strike me in the chest but was unable to properly penetrate the armor and instead his sword was stuck. His death was quicker than the other man's.

We finished off the two that were left. I made sure to clean off my blade immediately after.

"How are you holding up?" I asked Alduin.

"Just excellent, that was a nice little fight that we just experienced." She said with a smile, she came over and put her hand on my shoulder as I sat down on a tree stump, from one that was cut off days ago. She sat leaned down, looking at her face I saw blood on her chin which seemed to have got on there after killing one of the rebels.

"There's blood on your chin Alduin." I said to her and she brought one of her hands to wipe her face off.

"Thanks, I've always got to look nice, though there are times where blood….Gets the point across." I raised an eyebrow.

"What?" She asked in a simple manner.

"Nothing" I said innocently while realizing something.

"Well actually…...You didn't ask me how I am after such a cataclysmic battle! Thy is stricken wounded!" I said mockingly with a mischievous smirk. Alduin gave a small sigh as she leaned on my shoulder.

"Alright then my silly little Dovahkiin. How are you?" She asked me.

"I'm just slightly shaken up from the fight, always am with these things. I don't know how you've gotten over it through all of those years you've lived Alduin."

She angled her head towards the ground slightly.

"Pride is a beautiful virtue my love." She said and I nodded. I'd have to talk to her about it later.

"Can you sense anyone else around here?" I asked of her. Her head moved up again as she stopped staring at the grass, with snowflakes landing on them.

"Of course." With a blink her ears had turned from that of a regular human's to that of a Dragon's. It was amazing what magic could do or rather, the powers of a Goddess.

I scanned the trees while she leaned her head in certain directions.

With a clasp of her hands her ears returned to normal and she then spoke to me.

"There are no Stormcloaks over in our direction as they are busy with that fire we started. I also hear prisoners that the Stormcloaks have taken prisoners in the form of Imperial soldiers, they are currently yelling for help and it would seem that we ran into their guards." Alduin said.

"Then we best check these bodies for the keys." I replied, standing up and proceeding to the body of the man who had seemed that he was the Captain of these Rebels posted to guard them.

And he had it right next to his pouch, I decided to leave it alone for once. He was a Soldier and perhaps had a family perhaps the money would go back to them at some point and goodness knows that I'll kill more of these rebels and loot them but perhaps this once I'll leave one alone.

"Got the key!" I said triumphantly to her.

"Checked the leader's body first? Smart." She said as she now observed it.

"I know the direction they're in, and they are on the way to the Imperial camp. Let us go release them from their bindings." Alduin said as she started in the direction of our imprisoned allies.

After a few minutes we had gotten so close that one of them could see us in while locked in a miniature prison that every village had with multiple cells. There were multiple people in each cell, they had Imperial armor still on but they were obviously disarmed.

"Oh thank the Divines! Imperials!" One of them yelled as we proceeded down a path towards them, I had the key in hand as I approached the first of the jail cells. The men began clamoring at the news of the soldier.

"Sir get up!" I heard a distinct voice in there say. I saw a movement in the cell I was heading towards as a man got up, an Imperial Captain.

I began unlocking the door as he spoke "Friendlies aye? Good to see you, I am Captain D'lliers and thank you for rescuing us." The door was opened and the faces of he and his three men in it had a look of happiness that was rare to see on one's face, it was that joyful.

"You're a blessing sir and lady, what are your names?" D'lliers asked.

"Ruigus Kessel Captain, I am but a newly promoted Champion." I introduced myself as I walked to another cell, it seemed that the three with him were finding weapons they could use. Alduin stood at attention with an authoritative look on her face.

"Alavia Kessel, I am a Tribune under the current command of Legate Rikke. You are fortunate that we happened to be passing by and caused a minor distraction to the rebels in control of this village." She said with a tone that matched her countenance and stance with her having one hand on her hips while the other one was next to her Ebony Blade. I heard D'lliers give a gasp at her rank.

"A Tribune? And you only have your Champion with you and nobody else?" He questioned her in amazement as I freed more and more of his men. A small cheer arose each cell I opened, and there was only three more to go out of twelve.

"Indeed so Captain, he is the only bodyguard I need and yes as I saw the thought go across your mind when you heard my last name we are married." Looking at the Captain I saw that he nodded.

"I am happy for you both sir. I owe you our lives for rescuing us this day, where are you off too if I may ask? Our current task as it was to hold this village can no longer be upheld unfortunately." The Captain said with sorrow. As I freed the last of the prisoners Alduin spoke.

"We are heading towards the Pale to regroup with Rikke and my troops that are already stationed there and waiting for us, I'd like for you and your men to come with us Captain." Alduin said, with her arms crossed.

"Of course, and thank you for freeing us yet again. We're happy to be put under your command and will follow you at once, I just need to find my weapons." D'lliers said. One of his men carrying a Halberd approached.

"Here it is sir." He said, handing him the weapon.

"Thank you Private." He then turned to face I and Alduin, I took place by her side.

"One thing before we go however. The nearby fort of Valkhing, has many more of our brothers and sisters imprisoned as well by the Stormcloaks. It was taken along with this village here. I'd like for us at some point to come back and retake the village and the fortress before the lives of our fellows are lost." D'lliers said with a salute.

"We will come back Captain and we will retake it all from the rebels, I only ask for your patience in that regard." Alduin said, returning it.

"Good then, it seems by boys have taken everything they need. Are we ready?" He asked.

"Take it up the chain Captain." Alduin said, motioning to me. I took a step forward.

"We should go now, before the Stormcloaks come back and discover us, I barely managed to fight against one army before. I do not think it wise to test our luck and our lives." I said to the Captain as Alduin agreed. The thirty eight soldiers I rescued ceased their talking as D'lliers motioned for them to get into formation. I noticed most of them carried swords and shields some wore heavier armor akin to Knights while some wore light steel, as well as a few with the new Crossbows weapons I had seen back in Whiterun.

As far as I heard Crossbows were developed after the war between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion in order to deal with heavier armor more effectively. And as it seemed those few days ago they worked well. Scanning across the formations of men I saw there were even a few Halberdiers as well as a single man armed with a mace. And a couple archers.

This would be a ragtag group but a good one.

"Men and Women of the Empire! Follow me!" Alduin yelled.

We began a quick march for a few minutes to ensure that none of the Stormcloaks would be following us. I was a bit surprised that we only saw that small group of Stromcloak prison guards and none of the other rebels. But I suppose we had done it all with great efficiency.

One question arose in my mind. Where was the Blades Agent?

Though it was later answered when we walked to find my horse standing next to a tree with a note on said tree with a knife stabbed into it in order to keep the note on.

Pulling it off and opening the note I read this:

Ruigus and Alavia,

I have left your horse here and have moved on. I will be around and keeping an eye out.

Good luck.

A Mysterious Friend

"Is this horse yours?" Asked D'lliers. To which I responded.

"Yes it is, we had an ally of ours bring it here." I said honest as could be.

"An ally?" He questioned.

"Yes." Replied Alduin.

"Let's keep moving, we'll have a break in a minute." Alduin said, mounting my horse and giving it a tiny kick with her Ebony boots that only now that I notice have Spurs on them.

And in that minute we took a break that didn't last all that long as we and the Captain decided that we'd best get to it by the end of the day.

It was a bit weird how it was so different in Whiterun than it was comapred to here with all of these snowflakes falling on our heads and having to walk in snow that reached up to your legs.


An hour or two later we had made it to Rikke's camp. It was thankfully large in it's size but I couldn't help but notice it was missing a good amount of men. We told the Captain to have the men get situated and rest.

A few of the Imperials halted us and allowed us into the main tent.

In there I saw a face I thought I'd never see in years.

"Ruigus is that you?" Said an older man, with gray and blonde short hair. A mustache and a naturally born calm face that could only belong to one man. One man that always had a scholarly and an intelligent air to him.

"Secantius!"


And that is where I will leave it off for this time. It is good to post another chapter again.

A few things:

First of all I am terribly sorry that I am four months late on posting the chapter and I mostly blame my own laziness for this.

Second of all I probably won't be able to respond to reviews as much anymore (Though I'm probably going to be wrong on that and I'll still answer) so yeah and apologies if I do miss anyone.

Third of all, my schedule is a bit bonkers again as for the foreseeable future I have work for a couple of hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

To Arkisenn: You know I remember seeing about this and I thought about it quite a bit. I think it is indeed quite a good thought as well as a good point, relationship wise I kind of want it to be how you said how it should be at this point as well as a slow full on respect I suppose is how one can call it between Alduin and Ruigus as lovers. Feel free to PM me if you want to delve more into this.

To Jack Vile Ripper: You're Divine too pal ;_;

To Veb: Sorry I was a bit late _

To Nix122: Certainly will keep continuing on it!

To Truthteller: I see as a lot more story as a good thing, I like to add as much into a chapter as possible.

To Lone. Fallen. Wolf.: Cheers man! And thank you. I pray the wait was not too long.

To Jason: Ruigus will think about it, if he wants to stay "Human" or embrace being a "Dragon" and Human.

To Justafan: He'll be granted that blessing by Alduin on a certain day.

To Veemon Fan683: I already have my files saved to computer and will safeguard them, thanks for the heads up!

To Kingslops: Want and receive my friend.

To Guest: Merry late Christmas to you!

To ArthurShade: Enjoy it friend!

To Godzilla King of Monsters: I'll keep working on this story until it is 100% completed, no matter how many obstacles or time it takes.

To Quintus Sertorius: Will do so, thank you for the encouragement as well as everyone else.

Merry late Christmas, Happy late New Year and every other holiday that I've forgotten about that's happened over these last few months.

As a side note, I discovered an old classic of a game called "Drakengard" it's quite amazing and I'm surprised that one of the endings to it leads to the events of NieR and NieR: Automata. I felt really smart after seeing the whole game through and it remains very unique and amazing with a nearly unforgettable cast and story. Even if the cast does not have much interaction.

Until next time!