Forging the Heart's Desire
Chapter 12
The crowd scattered, desperately seeking shelter from the dragon. Most were so frightened that they were running into each other, screaming. Balimund finally spotted Jarl Elisif just as the general quickly led her away to the Blue Palace. His mission far from his mind, the smith stared at the winged monster that had perched itself on the courtyard balcony.
Pale, grey scales and black spikes were illuminated by the fire before the great beast inhaled, releasing an icy blast that extinguished the flames of the burning Olaf dummy. The creature took flight again, circling the cobblestone square.
"HI FEN DIIN JOOR!" The Dragon inhaled again, breathing ice towards the largest gathering of terrified citizens. Guards shouted at people to move, trying to direct them to safety.
Alyssa took on a fighting stance, despite being unarmed. Gods, she hated Frost Dragons. She was a Breton; she had no resistance to the cold winds of Skyrim, let alone the deadly frost breath of the flying bastards. She moved forward, but was halted when she felt someone grab her arm.
"Run!" Balimund was attempting to get Alyssa to get out of there, but she didn't seem to want to move away. Had she lost her mind?
"Let go of me, Balimund! Help the guards get everyone to safety!"
"Don't be daft, woman! You have to get out of here!" What did she think she could do?
The dragon swooped towards the people again, screeching that horrible sound. He was toying with them; playing with his food.
"My Thane!" Alyssa and Balimund turned to see Jordis the Sword-Maiden rushing towards them, weapons in hand. She passed Alyssa her Nightingale bow and a large quiver of Ebony arrows. Damn. The shock enchantment may help, but the frost enchantment was useless against the icy beast. She needed to invest in a fire-enchanted weapon. Luckily, her skill with a bow was practically unmatched.
The Sword-Maiden equipped Alyssa's Gaulder Blackbow and her own set of arrows. She notched an arrow, awaiting her Thane's command to attack the circling dragon. Alyssa untied her cloak, letting it fall to the ground. She had absolutely no armor, but at least she was armed.
Balimund stood in awe. Alyssa showed no fear, no hesitance. She too readied her bow. The motion drew his attention to her chest, where the Amulet of Mara shimmered in the moons' lights. Is that-?
"Ready!" The Thane's voice was strong and commanding. The Dragon made to land on the ground to devour those unlucky enough to be trapped. "Fire!" They released their hold, arrows sailing into the winged monster's back. It reared back in agony, turning its attention to its attackers.
"HI FEN BIIS VOTH HIN LAAS BAANAHK!" The dragon took flight again, sweeping around to lay into them with its deadly breath.
Balimund saw a small girl huddled next to the corpse of a guard, right in the path of the approaching beast. He dashed for the girl, managing to free the steel battle axe from frozen fingers and yank her out of the way just in time to avoid the freezing blast. He tucked her into the alcove of a nearby house, out of sight. He rushed back to find the Thane and her housecarl sending arrow after arrow into the massive creature, joined by many of the guards who had finally succeeded in ushering the people out of the square.
Gods, she was amazing! Her ability to lead and command rivaled some of the best in Ulfric's regime. Still, she was without protection. He needed to get her out of there. Just as he reached her, the ailing dragon landed before the fighters. It swung its tail, knocking everyone about, including Alyssa. Slammed against the foundation of the square, she shook her head trying to clear it. Balimund had been thrown near a house on the opposite side. His newly-obtained weapon was missing.
The Dragon turned its full attention to the frail-looking Breton woman. She had been the one shouting at the mortals. She would die first. It lumbered towards her, letting her know her time had come. Finally able to see straight, the woman looked into the cold, yellow eyes of the winged demon.
Balimund stared in horror. Gods, get up, get up! He forced himself to stand, despite feeling unstable on his feet. He was banged up, but it mattered little when the woman he loved was looking death in the face! Staggering, he reached towards her, despite being too far away. Gods, he was too far away.
The Dragon reared its head back like a snake ready to strike. Alyssa's eyes met Balimund's briefly. In that split second, she had communicated so much to him. The last thing was:
I'm sorry.
"YOL..." Balimund stared as Alyssa's voice shook the ground. 'No…'
"TOOR" 'It's not possible…'
"SHOL!" '… Dragonborn…'
An enormous blast of fire greeted the face of the attacking dragon. It flailed helplessly, its skin burning and charring. It fell backwards, eyes becoming sightless.
As the dragon continued to burn away, a bright, white light flowed from the remains to the Breton sitting on the ground. Gasping, her body seemed to lift slightly as her eyes closed. The light continued to swirl around her until dissipating. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking back into the present. The housecarl, fully recovered, pulled the Dragonborn to her feet. "Are you all right, my Thane?"
Alyssa nodded, then remembered Balimund. She turned towards him, the man just standing there, face deadpan. It was as if he was staring into her soul- or that of the dragon she just absorbed. She stepped in his direction, but he backed up. Her heart nearly broke at the small motion.
"Balimund?" She continued her approach slowly; this time he stayed in place. She stood a few feet in front of him, eyes full of regret. This was not how she wanted him to find out. This was the worst possible way! Everyone who witnessed her take a soul looked at her like she was just as frightening as the monster slain.
She didn't know what to say to him. It all seemed too late. Still, he deserved an explanation.
"… I found out when I was in Whiterun, when that first dragon after Alduin showed up and attacked the watchtower." She looked at the ground, her hands- anywhere but his expressionless face. She couldn't bare it. "I didn't know what was wrong with me until one of the guards said... said I was Dragonborn. Then the Greybeards called… they helped me better understand what was going on, and what I had to do… what I have to do… I wanted to tell you for so long. I was going to tell you tonight…"
She looked up, unable to take his silence. "Balimund, please say something…"
Still he stared at her. Her eyes ached as she held back her fear and pain, clutching at her chest. "Balimund, please!"
He looked at her amulet. He could feel the ring almost burning him through his pocket. The Dragonborn. He had almost asked the Dragonborn to marry him. Gods, what a fool he was. He shook his head, trying desperately to understand everything. It was too much. He couldn't… he had to get out of there. He needed to breathe, to think… he couldn't do that here.
Alyssa watched as the Nord shook his head. He looked down, then turned in the opposite direction, heading towards the inn. She watched him until he was out of sight, then continued to stare at the space he had been. Nothing. He had said nothing to her. He couldn't even look at her! Her legs finally gave, the Dragonborn falling to the ground as tears raced down her cheeks. Jordis ran to her side. "My Thane? Are you alright?"
No, she wasn't. She felt broken. Mara, it hurt so much. Death at the claws of the dragon would have been a mercy compared to this. Unable to hold it in, Alyssa sobbed, grief racking her body.
The housecarl was at a loss. She would gladly bleed for the Dragonborn, but Jordis didn't know what to do for… this.
"Come on, My Thane." She pulled Alyssa to her feet and led her towards Proudspire Manor.
