A/N: It felt a lot longer than it probably is, for some reason. But! Enjoy this one, and leave us a review, if you please!

Chapter 21: Mirmulnir

Delphine and Michael spent some time fighting later in the night, and this Solän'cae has no doubt that even her Delany heard them. This one's curiosity was too great to stay away, and so I had crept closer to listen to what they were fighting about.

Apparently it was about how much this Solän'cae and her Delany really knew about the Septims and the Dragonborn and who Michael really was. Even on this side of the door, I could almost feel the anger rising from the Septim at the insolence of this woman. She is a Blade, a protector of the Dragonborn and the Septim emperors, who is she to tell him what he should and shouldn't do? But I do not wish to be caught with an ear to the door, so I leave before the argument ends. Perhaps it is a good idea that Delany does not know of this, and give herself another reason to dislike this Delphine woman.

But aside from all that, Michael had managed to confirm what we knew about Al'Kardho, and added that he occasionally came to the Blades still, some two-hundred years after he had been declared an enemy of the citizens. Michael said that the last time he had heard of the Khajiit, the tomcat had visited Michael's great-grandfather before the old man had died in his bed. Michael said that he had been but a young cub, and only really remembered the black fur, the golden eyes, and the Khajiit braids and dreads with golden chains braided and twisted into the ends. Michal added that the Khajiit had seemed kind, but was, in the eyes of a cub, 'somewhat frightening'. Michael then added that he believed that it was possible that the Khajiit Champion was most likely a vampire, but could not say for sure.

We rode for Whiterun after a fairly calm morning and breakfast. If this Solän'cae hadn't known about last night's fight, she would never have guessed the Imperial was up so late. The innkeeper woman was also gone, for which this one thinks all three of us are grateful for. She irritates this Solän'cae with her flare for inappropriateness. Ah, speaking of – Astrid will be furious that I have been gone so long. This one has no doubt that I will have to investigate the madman-merryman Cicero. Ah, it is unfortunate. Perhaps he and I should kill her together….

But such thoughts I can only entertain so long in the presence of one who is of the old Septim blood. They know, see, too much. And Delany is still happy from her birthday yesterday, so this one is not yet willing to break that joy and take it from my Delany. It would be cruel, and something I would never, ever want to do.

And as this one's thoughts turn and wander, Whiterun comes into view in the afternoon. We leave our horses at the stables, and make our way up and into the city. The sight of the Gildergreen makes me hiss, and Delany touched my shoulder, offering a comforting smile. "You'll be able to save the Gildergreen soon, Solän'cae – I know you want to see this through to the end, but you don't have to if you feel the Gildergreen is more important," she smiled, her eyes growing sad when she looked at the tree.
I smiled at her. "This one knows. But it is true, I will see this through. I cannot start something and not finish it."
"I thought you'd say that," Delany looped her arm through mine. "Well, let's see what Farengar has to say about this Dragonstone!"

I pretended not to notice the Imperial cast a backwards smile at Delany's enthusiasm. This Solän'cae still doesn't fully trust him.

The three of us walked straight through the palace at Dragonsreach and walked straight to Farengar Secret-Fire's laboratory. Before we entered, I could already hear him speaking to another. "Do you see? The terminology is clearly First Era or even earlier. I'm convinced that this is a copy of a much older text. Perhaps," Farengar's voice rose a little in excitement, "dating to just after the Dragon War! If so, I could use this to cross-reference the names with other, later texts."
"Good, I'm glad you're making progress. My employers are anxious to have some tangible answers," a woman replied.

Who is this, speaking to Farengar? Are there others involved who could mean trouble? This Solän'cae will not tolerate being used….

"Oh, have no fear – the Jarl himself has finally taken an interest, so I'm able to devote most of my time to this research now," Farengar chuckled.

Ah, this one wants to get closer, and see who it is that this mage is talking to.

"Time is running, Farengar. Don't forget – this isn't some theoretical question. Dragons have come back," the woman warned. Her voice is… familiar?
"Yes, yes," Farengar unfolded one hand from his chest, waving it impatiently at the hooded, cloaked woman leaning over a book on the desk. The mage leaned against a table and didn't really notice us come closer. "Don't worry. Although the chance to see a living dragon up close would be tremendously valuable…. Very intriguing, indeed. Now, let me show you something else I found, something your employers might be interested in as well…." Farengar straightened, turning away just as the woman looked up.

But the shadows in her hood were too thick, too dark to be natural. She either knows illusion magic or she has an enchanted cloak, I sighed.

"Farengar, you have visitors," she said, standing up straight. Farengar turned around to stare at the three of us, now inside his lab.

"Hm? Oh! Yes, the Jarl's three protégés! Back from Bleak Falls Barrow, then? And you're all alive?"
"We're not cage-bound lab-skeevers like you, Farengar," Delany crossed her arms, pouting angrily at him.

"Delany!" I hissed, and Michael pleaded.

She glanced at both of us and shrugged. "I don't have time for his superior attitude. And who is that?"
"My associate," Farengar snapped. "Now, do you have the Dragonstone or not?"

"We do, yes." Michael pulled out the stone tablet, and carefully placed it on the table.
"Ah, yes! The Dragonstone of Bleak Falls Barrow! It seems you three are a cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way. My, ah, associate here will be pleased about your handiwork, I am sure. She discovered its location, by means she has so far declined to share with me…" Farengar finished, pursing his lips. He seems disappointed that he does not know how it was found. Good – that is what he deserves for being rude to my Delany!

Farengar said something to the woman, and she said something to us, and something else to Farengar and then left. I was more interested in the map, again. It seemed to have been updated to include a few other locations. "What are these places?" I asked, pointing at them.

Michael and Farengar answered at the same time. "Soldier camps."

"Soldier camps? Of the Stormcloaks or Imperials?" Delany asked.
"Some I recognize as Imperial camps, others are definitely Stormcloak. Why are they listed here?"
"The Jarl has asked me to keep an eye on obvious troop movements so we can better defend the city. Most of those are based on rumor, though," Farengar shrugged.

"Farengar!"

We turned to see the Dark Elf – Irileth, yes? – race in.

"What is it?"
"The Jarl requests your presence, immediately. Since the three of you are here, I suppose it's best you join us as well. Follow me, if you will," the Housecarl-she-Dunmer motioned with her hand once, quickly, then turned and strode out. This Solän'cae is wary-interested: what is so important that a thief, an assassin, and a Dragonborn is needed by the Jarl, along with his court mage?

But we all followed her out of the court-mage's lab, down a passage to the side of the Jarl's throne, up the stairs to an area behind the main hall. There stood this Jarl Balgruuf, and he tried to calm an out-of-breath guard. Perhaps if this Nord would be so clever as to take off his helm, he might breathe easier….

"Steady, son. It's alright, take your time," Balgruuf nodded, glancing at us, Irileth and Farengar.
The guard nodded, then took off his helm. Ah, perhaps he is half-intelligent, this Solän'cae thought. Blonde, blue-eyes, beard…. Typical Nord.

"So, Irileth tells me you come from the Western Watchtower?" Jarl Balgruuf asked.
The Nord nodded. Then Irileth stepped in. "Tell him what you told me. About the dragon," she added impatiently when the guard looked half-confused.

But he nodded quickly, and turned to face all of us, perhaps a little nervously. "Uh, that's right, uh…. We-we saw it coming from the south. It was fast!" he gasped. "Faster than anything I've ever seen!"
"What did it do? Is it attacking the Watchtower?"

Ah, this Solän'cae likes this Jarl – quietly forceful. He will continue to have this one's respect.

"No, my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life…. I thought it would come after me for sure!"

I glanced at Delany, to see her clenching her jaw. But her eyes were steeled – we both knew how terrifying that dragon is.

"Good work, son. We'll take it from here, so you –"
"What did the dragon look like? Pardon my interruption, Jarl Balgruuf," Michael spoke up.
"What does it matter?" Farengar sighed.
"It's important to determine if it's the same dragon from Helgen, or another one. What did the dragon look like?"
"I-I don't remember, sir. I don't think I really saw it – it was too fast, and it flew too high to see clearly."
Balgruuf narrowed his eyes at Michael, but nodded. "It's alright. Go down to the barracks for some food and rest. You've earned it," the Jarl smiled, and clapped the man on the shoulder. As soon as he was down the stairs, Irileth spoke. "I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate, Jarl Balgruuf."
"Good. Don't fail me, Irileth."
"You three," he turned to us for the first time. "There's unfortunately no time to stand on ceremony. I have not forgotten your service to me and Farengar for retrieving the Dragonstone, but rewards for that will have to wait for now. I need your help again. I want you three to go with Irileth and help her fight this… dragon," he hissed. "You survived Helgen, and you will know if this is the same one, or another. It also means you have more experience with dragons than the rest of us."
"The dragon that attacked Helgen couldn't be harmed. If it's the same black dragon, we can only hope that it leaves soon," Delany murmured.
Irileth stared at us. "That's encouraging. Is it true?"
Michael nodded. "It seemed that way, yes. That's one of the reasons I wanted to know what it looked like – if it's the same one, we'll need to do some research on dragons. If, by some misfortune, it's a second dragon, we can safely assume that many more will be returning to Skyrim in a very short amount of time. It might also mean, that if this is a different dragon, it could be killed or seriously wounded."

The Jarl nodded. "Alright. And know this: this isn't a death or glory mission! We need to know what we're dealing with!"
"Fear not, my lord – I am the very soul of caution," Irileth replied easily, fisting a hand over her chest.
"If this is the case with the dragons, I should go with –"
"No!" Jarl Balgruuf snapped, pointing at Farengar. "I cannot afford to lose you both! I need you to stay here and work on ways to defend the city from dragons."
"As you command," Farengar returned, though this Khajiit thought he sounded a little sulky.

"Well, let's go fight a dragon!" Delany threw a fist into the air with a dark look on her face. Both of us knew well what a dragon could do to a village, never mind a single, pitiful Watchtower. Michael seemed the most outwardly calm, but then, I cannot read the Dragonborn as well as Delany nor see him as well as he sees others. Perhaps he feels the same as us, perhaps he does not.

Time shall soon tell. I almost hope that this dragon is the same one as in Helgen – it means the threat is restricted to just one.

We followed Irileth and her contingent of thirty men to the Western Watchtower on foot – it wasn't that far, and none of us were willing to risk losing our horses just for the sake of travel ease. Besides, I was riding Michael's mare, and I had no idea how she would react to combat, never mind a fire-breathing, giant flying lizard.

Ok, they're a little more than flying lizards, but still – dragons were no joke. I liked my odds on foot if I had to fight the dragon. I preferred my odds on horseback to flee the dragon. But… if there was a chance it could be killed, then I would be here to help as best I could. Solän'cae looked half-excited at the idea of facing a dragon again – probably because it was by choice, and not a random ambush attack as it had been in Helgen. I took a deep breath and steeled myself: I would do this. If we could get rid of a dragon… that would ease a lot of Skyrim's strain, what with the civil war that was slowly gaining momentum.

Irileth stopped us behind some boulders, crouching down. Her men scattered around the others dotting the landscape. In front of us was a burned-out, wrecked tower. I frowned, squinting at it. Was that the Western Watchtower? Wasn't it whole the last time we were in Whiterun…? I shook my head; now wasn't the time to get distracted. I glanced up at the sky, scanning it for movement. Nothing yet.

Solän'cae was crouched next to me, and touched my shoulder. "This one hears Irileth say that this tower is the Western Watchtower, and that we had best be careful in our approach, and search for survivors."
I nodded. "Let's go! We're looking for survivors," I called out to the guards around us. "Spread the word! Be careful!"

We spread out a little more, and rand for the tower. I had my bow in my left, and a Destruction spell at the ready in my right hand. Solän'cae had a Conjuration spell at the ready, judging by the magicka residue, and had yet to take out her bow. She hadn't struck me as the mage-type when we were travelling, but it almost made more sense than for her to be an archer or swordswoman.

"What are you doing here?! GET BACK! IT'S STILL HERE!"

I stopped, loose pebbles and mortar crumbling under my feet. I stared at the guard at the top of the walkway I was running up, taking in the wild fear and panic in his eyes. "What?" I stuttered, blinking.
"THERE IT IS!"

I turned to a voice shouting behind me. The roar made me look to the sky.

"Sweet Dibella…" I breathed. It was fast.

I ducked down behind a wall as searing heat and fire rained down. The guard who had been standing above me in the tower screamed, and when I turned to look, I saw him flailing and on fire. "Ah, shit," I swore. On the other side of the wall I crouched behind, Solän'cae and a few others were pulling the injured out of the way. The dragon roared, easily turning and soaring back to the tower. I'd be the next one on fire if I stayed where I was.

I bolted for the tower. Another roar came with a sudden gust of wind, and I dove into the shelter of the tower, my bow clattering to one side as I rolled. I collided with an overturned table, and sat up, breathing hard. Outside, I heard the frenzied shouts of Whiterun guards trying to regain order and attack the dragon. Bow, I need a bow, I searched for my battered weapon, and retrieved it from the wall next to the tower's entrance. Stairs. Height. I can shoot better from higher up!

I slung my bow and raced up the stairs, using my hands to keep going whenever I slipped. Not far now, almost at the top…!

I ran around the burning debris of the trap door, appearing on the very roof of the tower. I ran over to the side, where I could hear Irileth urgently shouting orders to her men to take up bows and shoot. She paced, swinging her sword angrily. It didn't look like there were any more bows. Michael was nearby, looking just as frustrated. I backed away from the edge: Solän'cae was probably down there somewhere, too. I looked to the skies, ducking just in time to avoid the dragon's wing tips as the rushed over the tower. Where do I shoot? Does it have weak points? I stared at the dragon, still crouching.

Then I suddenly realized: this wasn't the same dragon as the one from Helgen. This one was greenish, with smoother scales than the black dragon. "Ok, ok! There's more than one dragon in Skyrim now," I breathed, unslinging my bow and checking on my poisons. I still had a few potent ones I could use. I pulled out all my arrows, and doused the tips with a general poison.

The dragon was circling overhead now, breathing fire down on the people below and roaring. Come on, a weak spot, a weak spot…. All I could think of was where the wings joined the body, the throat, the eyes…. The wing membranes!

I nocked an arrow and drew my bow, standing up and turning as the dragon turned. It seemed to slow down, as though it enjoyed toying with the people fighting it. It didn't seem to know I was up here yet, though. I released the arrow, and it whistled through the air, right through the dragon's wing.

It screeched, its flight path changing to the north instead of to the people on the ground below. I nocked another arrow, and fired again.

But I missed as the dragon tucked its wings, diving down.

"IT'S COMING!" someone screamed below.

The dragon flared its wings, beating them heavily as it reared back. Its throat started glowing.

I fired another arrow into its wings, satisfied when the fire spewed out into the air with an ear-splitting shriek. I dropped my bow, covering my ears. A heavy thudding started up, and I assumed it was rising again.

And it was coming for me.

Ice Spike, I need to cast Ice Spike! I charged the spell using both hands. I flung it at the dragon's wings, and scrambled for traction to get out of the way of its fire. But it screamed again, only some of the fire catching on my boot before it crashed into the tower, taking out the parapets on the top even as I tumbled down the stairs. I came to a winded halt on a landing, my back, legs, arms burning in protest from the tumble. But the heel of my right boot was still on fire. I charged my Frostbite spell, and cast it on the heel of my boot. I need to learn Alteration magic! I thought, glad that the fire was out, but my heel felt a little numb where the frost magic reached my socks through holes in the leather.

Apparently even boiled-leather boots can only withstand so much. I glanced back up the stairway: the dark liquids dripping down and the shards of glass in my palms suggested I had just lost all my poisons in the fall. My magicka was weakening, but I had enough for one attempt at Fast Healing…. I plucked out the glass shards quickly, and cast the healing spell. It wouldn't completely remove the effects of my poisons, but it would make a difference. I leaned against the wall, feeling the warm, soothing glow of Restoration magic surge through me. I felt better, but I wasn't sure how well I'd fare against a dragon. I have to get down there anyway, I pushed up against the wall, and hurried down to the ground.

Delany had been up on the roof of the tower, shooting the dragon's wings to give us an advantage. Solahn'shai was an accurate shot with the bow, but many of her arrows seemed to glance off the dragon's scales. I was left watching on the ground, my katana and dai-katana useless against an aerial enemy. All I could do was watch when the dragon lifted again, turning to attack the steadfast little Breton at the very top. Ice magic ripped through the dragon's wing, leaving a damaging hole in the membrane.

But momentum carried the beast further, and his fire was already racing to the roof of the tower, and only Solahn'shai's arrow seemed to be the last straw to force the dragon to crash. But he tore through the parapets, crashing down and flailing to the ground.

It wasn't a victory yet. "Together! Now's our chance! FOR WHITERUN!" I shouted, raising my dai-katana above my head.

"To arms, men!" Irileth shouted next to me, raising her sword as well.

The handful of guards left standing snapped around to stare at us, then they cheered, drawing their swords and following me and Irileth as we led the charge to the dragon.

One of his wings looked broken, and he was beginning to roll upright and away from the tower. Solahn'shai hissed and raced up from a side, passing me even as she sent her fire-wolf to the dragon. It only seemed to irritate the beast.

"Fire magic might not work! It breathes fire!" Irileth shouted.

But the dragon was upright, and turned its head to face us, snarling.

"Watch out for the front!" someone called from behind.

The dragon lunged forwards, snapping at a Whiterun guard in front of me, catching the man's armor. The dragon pulled back, throwing his head up even as he tossed the screaming guard.

I charged closer.

The man flew up, flailing wildly.

I gripped my dai-katana with both hands.

The dragon opened his maw. I raised my dai-katana above my head.

And the dragon's jaw snapped shut, the Whiterun City guard's screams cut short as he vanished into the dragon's throat.

I hacked into the dragon's neck above his wings. Pulled down hard, cutting through thick scales and tough flesh.

Felt warm blood spray out as my dai-katana slowly eased out of the dragon. Snarled as he screamed in pain and fury.

"MICHAAEEELL!"

Is this it, then? I'm… disappointed…. The dragon turned his head to snap at me. My dai-katana wasn't free yet. An icy spear whistled by my face, striking the dragon in the eye. He howled at the sky. Whiterun guards hacked at the rest of him. Solahn'shai snarled at me from the other side of the dragon. "The neck! The soft under-jaw! KILL IT!"

I let go of my dai-katana, running to the dragon's throat. She's right! The scales are softer here! I drew my katana, and as the dragon brought his head down, I shoved my sword up, piercing the softer flesh with ease.

"Dovahkiin! Nid!"

My katana was sheathed in the dragon's throat, the sudden dead-weight driving me to my knees. "Talos," I breathed, struggling to move the beast's head.

"Michael! It's on FIRE!"

"Delany!" Solahn'shai cried, followed by the tumble and crash of someone falling. But it didn't have time to look – the dragon's neck just lit up, the scales igniting spontaneously, the fire spreading up to his head. No, it's mine! It belongs to me! I snarled, pulling something from the dragon to me.

I sucked in air when something slammed into me, filling me with memories, knowledge…. Fus. Force.

Then it was over, the weight of the dragon gone, my dai-katana falling to the ground, the katana in my hand free.

"You…. You're Dragonborn, aren't you?" a Whiterun guard whispered behind me.