(Told by Melody Hawke)
This never happened before I became the Dragonborn. Normally, men would try to catch my attention by a few lines of which I would ignore and be ignored in return. Since I helped slay that first dragon and been called Dragonborn, both men and women are paying attention to me and trying desperately to grab mine. Just, basically, yelling the song about me instead of singing it, is a new one.
"You'll know, you'll know the Dragonborn comes." The man looks like an overly-dressed bard; this is going to be good.
Everyone in the room claps and cheers for him, but he's keeping his attention on me. Might as well talk to him before it get's really awkward.
"You're not a bad singer." Better be nice, he looks as though he takes pride in his work.
"Forgive me, my lady," He slightly bows, I can see where this is going, "have I the honor to speak to the Dragonborn?"
Knew it. "Yes, you have." Wonder what gave me away this time.
"By the Divines!" He's clearly happy. "It is delightful to be standing in your presence."
"Why," Need to stay my tongue; be nice, "thank you."
"Today, we witness a living legend among us, none other than the Dragonborn herself." Oh no, now he's announcing my presence; Bishop's gonna love this. "Our hero, our hero indeed who claims this warrior's heart. I told you, I told you and the Dragonborn came!"
"The living legend," This will hopefully be the one and only time I say this, "needs a drink."
"If I could just have one moment of your fine company, my lady. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alec." This is the part where I'm trapped in conversation.
"And what does a bard want with me?" I try my best to smile as I sneak glances around trying to find Bishop.
"I have spent so much of my time studying your adventures." Excuse me? "From terrors at Helgen to your endless eradication of the Dragon menace."
Again, excuse me? Hardly anyone knows about the fact that I was in Helgen when this all started.
Alec continues. "You are our hero. Your strength and humility brings hope to every heart in Skyrim. We bards sing your songs so that out children's children may remember the glory of the Dragonborn, savior of Tamriel!" I haven't really saved anything yet, let alone a whole country. "Though, meeting you I see no account of your beauty has ever given you the justice you deserve."
There it is. The flattery. I'm really starting to pick up on that, but I still have to be nice. Got a reputation to uphold now.
"Thank you, that's very kind." Keep it together, Melody.
"Kindness holds no place over honesty. I speak only the truth." Alec is really pushing it. "You are truly inspiring, a beautiful muse for the beating heart of a musician." I sense a love confession coming up; just got to remember to breathe. "Please, you must come to a special performance I'm arranging here in Windhelm. I would be delighted for you to be my guest."
"Unfortunately, I have to head out early in the morning to a nearby village to slay a dragon. I need to save my energy for tomorrow, therefore, I cannot go out tonight." Hopefully that will do it.
"It'll be tomorrow night." Alec says that a little too eagerly.
Of course it is. "I'll see what I can do."
"Just you wait, my dear!" Alec is almost cheering. "I am so pleased to share the experience with you. I will see you at the palace, my muse."
He takes my hand and places a kiss on the back of it. Now he walks out of the inn as I finally spot Bishop in a corner. I can't tell if he enjoyed the show or if he wants to strangle Alec.
"Were you here the whole time?" I ask, trying not to sound angry.
"Eh, long enough." He admits. "So 'muse', are you really thinking about coming back here tomorrow night to see whatever that bard has in store for you?"
"Depends."
"On?"
"Oh, I don't know. If we survive the morning. If we just happen to pass through. If we are so bored out of our minds that we say 'hey, let's go see a bard's performance that is dedicated to the Legendary Dragonborn. Oh, wait. That's me!'" I say sarcastically as I chomp down on some bread.
"Heh, who knew it would take a bard to make you regret being the Dragonborn."
Do I regret it? I do hate the attention, the songs, the dragons, but had I not been the Dragonborn, then maybe Bishop would have left or been killed before we looked for the Dragonstone. I wouldn't be close to him like I am now. I also wouldn't have gotten a disappointing first kiss, but, win some, lose some.
"Being the Dragonborn has it's ups and downs, I won't lie, but there are still things that I wouldn't trade to be normal again." I smile.
"Like?" Now Bishop is getting curious.
"I'm not telling." I gesture my lips being sealed and as a result, Bishop huffs in defeat. "What did you think of the bard?"
"Bards." He growls. "As if he'd know anything about letting women come for anything. His voice alone is enough to send them running into the opposite direction."
"Aww, is someone jealous?" What am I saying? "I'd like to hear you do better."
"I swear, I'd sing about you myself if it got him to shut up."
Really? "I would pay to see that. Do a duet with Karnwyr!"
Karnwyr barks in agreement, but Bishop laughs sarcastically. "Yeah, nobody could get me drunk or pay me enough to do that."
"Uh-huh. I bet you otherwise if you drink rum again and try to wash it down with all kinds of ale and mead like you did after we met Jack back at Solitude." I giggle, remembering how silly he was.
"Yeah, starting to remember pieces of that night, still blurry though." He says as he finishes up his food.
I look at him, unsure if I want him to remember the kiss or not. It might not have been important to him, but I can't help but make it important to me. Every once in a while, I want to tell him, but then again, he may just laugh and make jokes about how his drunk self was my first kiss.
"Come on," Bishop stands up and extends his hand to me. "We got a dragon to slay in the morning and a lot of preparation before the torture we'll endure tomorrow night."
I laugh and take his hand, letting him help me up and take me to our room."
...
The sun has risen and we're already on our way, but thoughts are on my mind. Not just of the dragons, but the war that's going on.
"Alright, Princess." Bishop catches me off guard. "What are you thinking about?"
"Eventhough the dragons are rising from the grave, the war between Stormcloaks and Imperials is still happening." I start to explain.
"Yeah, so?"
"So, even if I defeat the dragons, the war will end up being my problem. People will wonder whose side the Dragonborn favors." I look to Bishop beside me. "I've been on the sidelines all my life and now I'm caught in the middle."
"What are you getting at, Princess?" Bishop steps infront of me and stops.
"So do I join the Stormcloaks or the Imperial Legion?" I ask, wondering what his opinion is.
Most Stormcloaks hate elves, but they are just trying to free they're homeland, plus Bishop is a Nord. On the other hand, a good portion of Imperials treat elves with respect and hope to bring order. I still feel like there is something missing in all of this, but I really would like to hear what Bishop has to say if the occasion should arise.
"Ladyship, listen," Bishop sighs, "if you fall to the enemy I can't defend you from an army! Though I hate to admit it, but even that wouldn't stop me from trying."
That is certainly a surprise, I'll try to joke around to ease the tension a little. "Bishop, I didn't know you cared."
"You silly girl, you have no idea how I feel and I'd rather keep it that way." What? "The less you know, the better!"
"Bishop, I care about you too." More than you know. "You don't have to keep anything from me."
He grabs my shoulders almost to the point where it hurts. "Listen! I can't lose you to anything! I can't and I won't!"
His face is so close. His eyes with serious worry. I can feel his breath on my cheek.
"Bishop..." All I can say is his name in a worried tone.
What's gotten into him?
"Enough talk!" Bishop pushes me away, realizing what he was doing. "Do what you will, foolish girl! You don't need me to defend you! I know you're strong enough to do it yourself." He starts to walk ahead before allowing me to speak. "I'm done speaking about this."
What was that all about?
"If I didn't know any better," Delphine appears out of nowhere, "I'd say you two make an interesting couple."
"We're not-" I start to say, looking nervously to Bishop.
"Yeah, not... um-" He's appears to be just as embarrassed.
"I said 'if I didn't know any better' not that you are a couple." Delphine says. "Come on, Kynesgrove is just up the hill."
We continue behind Delphine, but I can't shake what Bishop just said. Would he actually try to protect me from an army? Does he truely believe in my strength? What does he really feel about me? Why does the possibility of losing me hurt him so much? I guess I better make sure we both survive this if I want any answers.
"Wait. Something's wrong." Delphine alerts us as a woman come running from the village.
"No, you don't want to go up there! A dragon... it's attacking!" The woman is in fear.
Normally, I'd want more information about the dragon, but I can sense that the village isn't in danger yet. The dragon's presence is at the burial ground and it's... familiar.
"Get some place safe, we'll take care of the dragon." I tell the woman as I start running.
I just hope we're not too late.
"Sahloknir! Ziil Gro Dovah Ulse!" That voice; there's no mistaking it. "Slen Tiid Vo!"
"That doesn't sound good." Bishop states as he runs a few steps behind me. "Princess, did you understand any of that?"
"They almost sounded like shouts." I try to explain as we hide behind some rocks. "From what I understand, the first word it's a name. The rest are like a necromancy dragon shouts."
I peek around the rock to confirm my theory. The black dragon is flying above a dragon skeleton growing itsts flesh. I tense up.
"Steady." Delphine tells me. "I don't know what's happening. Let's watch and wait." She studies the scene. "This is worse than I thought..."
Her voice trails off as the reborn dragon speaks. "Alduin, Thuri! Boaan Tiid Vokriiha Suleyksejun Kruziik?"
If I'm right, he just said, "Alduin, king. Arrive the moment to restore authority in an ancient manner?" Or maybe something along those lines? But now I have a name for my demon of Helgen. Alduin.
"Geh, Saloknir, Kaal Mir." Alduin replies and turns in my direction; he knows I'm here. "Ful, Losei Dovahkiin?"
I step out, no point in hiding anymore. I remain silent and face Alduin.
He continues to speak. "Zu'u Koraav Nid Nol Dov Do Hi." I kinda wish I studied up more on Dovahzul. "You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah."
Was I that obviously? I wish I had a snappy comeback like I would normally do. Guess in the face of danger, I get cold feet.
Alduin turns to the other dragon, Sahloknir, if I'm not mistaken. "Sahloknir, Krii Daar Joore."
I don't have to guess what that means.
Sahloknir looks to Alduin "Dii Drog. Daar Joor Vahdin Meyz Zaam?"
He just asked to make me a slave? I'd rather die!
"Zu'u Fen Neh Kos Hin Zaam!" I declare as my markings start glowing, my bow ready, the souls inside me stir, and both dragons are surprised for just a moment. "Fus, RO DAH!"
I use my Thu'um again Sahloknir. He flies up, ready to attack. Alduin flies off, but I doubt that this will be the last we've seen of him.
"Damn it, woman! Are you ill-minded or something?" Bishop yells at me as he readies his own bow.
"Let's focus on the dragon now and have you two yell at each other later!" Delphine shoots her own arrow at the beast.
She's right. But I have the feeling that after killing this dragon, it won't be the end of our problems, but the beginning.