"How is this possible?" the young girl asked and was still awestruck though also very confused.

"I think Paarthurnax has something to do with it."

"Do you think that was the reason why that forest was not on the map? Maybe it never really existed—"Kalea mumbled thoughtfully.

"Whatever it is—we are definitely in Skyrim and—,"he reached into his bag and revealed two hooded cloaks, "We should put them on."

"Why?"

"Well, at least I should—I'm the Stormcloak and this country is—it's ruled by the Empire now—"

"You lost the war?"

He nodded shortly. 'Thanks to your mother,' he thought, but couldn't tell her the truth now.
They both put the dark cloaks on and he added, "Telling from this position we seem to be near Dawnstar. That means we have to move south." He began to march off and Kalea followed him a few steps behind.

"If anyone asks us who we are or where we are from—tell them you're a girl from Winterhold on your way to Riften."

"And who will you be?"

He watched her for a second. "I'll be your guard. A friend of the family," he sent her a smile and she was more than relieved that he didn't say he'd be her father.

And so they headed on to the south while the Throat of the World was always in sight distance.


"We will camp here for the night. We'll be covered by the mountain range," Ulfric said and made a small camp fire.

"I didn't know how beautiful Skyrim is," Kalea said and cast a glance along the landscape. She watched how the sun was setting lower and lower, coloring the sky in a deep purple color.

"Wait until the moon is up. When it's really dark," he said with a smile.

"What will happen?"

"You'll see," he replied mysteriously and smiled at her. He lowered down at the fire and revealed some rests of the Elvish bread. He handed her some and she lowered down as well. They ate in silence, listened to the quiet sounds of the surrounding.

"Are those fireflies?" Kalea whispered and caused him to chuckle.

"Yes, have you never seen them before?"

She shook her head and watched them with fascination. After finishing their meal, he pointed up towards the sky. "Look, that's what I was talking about."

Her gaze lifted up towards the sky and her jaw dropped slightly open. "Ulfric—what is that?"

He smiled at her. "That's the northern light. And over there—that's the moon."

"That's—breathtaking—"she replied and watched the sky. Without even noticing it, her hand found its way to his and grabbed it. He looked down at his hand and frowned until a light smile curled his lips. They just sat silent like this and continued to watch the beauty of Skyrim's night sky.

As the moon rose higher, Kalea shifted closer to him. He just sat silent and didn't move.

"I'm afraid—what if I will never go back to Middle Earth?"

He embraced her and held her tight against his chest. "Middle Earth is where you belong—it's your home. And you will go back!"

"And what about you?"

"Me?"

"Where will you be once I'm back home?"

That surprised him a bit. "I—uhm—I will be—with you?"

She looked up at him and he added hastily, "I mean, I will go back to Middle Earth as well. I don't belong here anymore. I'm tired of fighting against the Empire—and I cannot live here anymore. I grew to like your homeland."

She smiled, cuddled up against him and closed her eyes. His gaze fell on her before his hand rubbed over his face and he sighed.

'What are you doing?' he thought and somehow managed to fall asleep as well.


Smeagol just returned with two rabbits and dropped them onto Frodo's lap.

"Look! Look! See what Smeagol finds!" he laughed enthusiastically. Frodo looked at him with bloodshot eyes. He smiled at Gollum and cast a glance at Sam. Gollum raised a fist in self-congratulation and danced happily around. Finally he picked up one of the rabbits and snapped its back in front of Frodo.

"They are young. They are tender. They are nice. Yes, they are! Eat them! Eat them!" He bit and teared into the raw meat. Sam rushed over and snatched the rabbit out of Gollum's hands.

"You'll make him sick, you will, behaving like that! There's only one way to eat a brace of coneys!" the Hobbit snapped. After a while Gollum looked into a pot of stew over the fire.

"Argh! What's it doing? Stupid fat Hobbit! It ruins it!"

"What's to ruin? There's hardly any meat on them!" Sam grumbled.

A faint calling sound caught the attention of Frodo, but it seemed he was the only one hearing the sound.

"What we need is a few good taters," Sam mumbled.

"What's taters, preciouss? What's taters, uh?" Gollum asked curiously.

"Po-tay-toes! Boil em. Mash em. Stick em in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish—"

Gollum sticked out his tongue in disgust. Sam watched him annoyed and said,

"Even you couldn't say no to that!"

"Oh yes, we could! Spoil nice fish—Give it to usss rrraw—and wrrrriggling! You keep nasty chips!"

"You're hopeless," Sam sighed heavily and shook his head. Frodo followed the source of the sound. Sam suddenly noticed that Frodo was no longer in his sight.

"Mr. Frodo?" he called and went to search for him. Finally he found him lying down near some bushes, looking at an army marching across the land. He moved to lie low beside Frodo. Gollum also lowered down next to Frodo.

"Who are they?" Sam asked curiously.

"Wicked men. Servants of Sauron. They are called to Mordor. The Dark One is gathering all armies to him. It won't be long now. He will soon be ready," Gollum whispered.

"Ready to do what?" Sam asked again.

"To make his war. The last war that will cover the entire world in shadow."

"We've got to get moving. Come on, Sam," Frodo said as suddenly Sam grabbed his arm.

"Mr. Frodo! Look! It's an Oliphant!"

Some gigantic Oliphants appeared carrying soldiers and supplies on their backs.

"No one at home will believe this—"Sam breathed in awe.

Gollum slipped away. Frodo cast a glance around. "Smeagol?"

Suddenly, pandemonium broke out from below. The soldiers were being ambushed. Cloaked rangers were firing deadly arrows at the soldiers and the Oliphants began trumpeting and stomping towards the Hobbits, swinging their huge trunk and tusks.

One ranger took aim and shot a soldier. He fell from the Oliphant and landed right behind Frodo and Sam. He was clearly dead.

"We've lingered here too long. Come on, Sam!"

Frodo ran right into a Gondorian Ranger who grabbed hold of him and threw him onto his back. Sam saw Frodo in danger and grabbed for his sword. "Ah!" he charged at the Ranger, but was grabbed by another one and thrown down. A sword was held against his throat.

"Bind their hands!"


"Ulfric?"

"Hmmm?"

"How do we get on top of that mountain? I mean—it's very high."

He chuckled and replied, "First we will climb the seven-thousand steps to reach High Hrotghar. That's the temple of the Greybeards. I am certain they will test you—or let's say—your Voice. Before we move on to the Throat of the World, means the highest peak of the mountain, we should rest as long as we can."

"Did you say seven-thousand steps?" Kalea asked in disbelief.

"Yep—"He turned to cast a glance at her while they walked across the plains leading towards Whiterun. "It's exhausting, but remember—your mother walked that way multiple times before."

"But I'm not—"

"—your mother, I know. But you have the same strength in you. The same blood."

She fell silent again for a while. Suddenly he grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Ssshh—"

They could hear voices somewhere ahead of them.

"Who is that?" Kalea whispered.

"Sounds like a caravan of Khajiit."

"What are they?"

"A race of feline humanoids. Thieves and fearsome warriors," he explained.

"Will we fight them?"

He narrowed his eyes until he replied, "No—let's take the way round. There's another way into the city."

They silently turned and went for the back door of Whiterun. Two guards stopped them in front of it.

"Stop! Who are you and what do you want?" one of them asked suspiciously. Ulfric lowered his head a bit as he replied with a slightly changed voice,

"My name is Ralof and I'm the guardian of this young girl."

He gestured at Kalea. She watched the guards and smiled at them.

"Where are you from?" the younger guard asked and watched her curiously.

"I'm from Winterhold. Ralof is a friend of my father and I am on my way to Riften to visit my brother. He's an Imperial soldier. Ralof and I need a place to rest and get some supplies."

Ulfrics heart was racing while a heavy silence fell upon them. Finally, and much to his relief, the guards stepped aside and one of them said,

"Well then, enjoy your stay and don't make any trouble."

The gate opened and they finally entered the city. "Perfect," he smiled and winked at her. He led her to a big house. "That's the Bannered Mane. We will sleep here," he explained and together they entered the Inn. Ulfric went to the bar where a dark haired Redguard woman smiled and asked,

"What can I do for you?"

"We need two rooms for the night."

"I am sorry, but there is only one room free for tonight."

Ulfric cast a glance back and watched Kalea. She was aware that he was watching her and approached him.

"Hello, young lady," the Innkeeper said with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kalea replied. Ulfric leaned in closer and whispered,

"There's only one room left."

Her heart leaped and her knees began to shake a bit, but she managed to stay calm and said, "We need to rest—"

After a moment of hesitation he turned to the woman again. "We take the room."

She nodded with a smile, "I will show it to you." She led them to the room in the northwestern corner of the main hall. To Ulfric's relief it contained a big double bed, so there was enough space for both of them. The room also contained a dresser and two tables.

"Have a good rest," the Innkeeper said and left them alone. Kalea placed her bag on the left side of the bed. He placed his bag on one of the tables and turned around.

"Will we go down again? I'm hungry and need a drink," Kalea said and he nodded. They went down to the main hall and Kalea ordered two plates of meat stew and two bottles of Honeybrew Mead. She sat down opposite of him and placed the food and drinks on the table. Ulfric sat with his back facing the room. He told Kalea to keep an eye for any intruder.

"Have you ever drunken mead before?" he suddenly asked as he watched her taking a sip of it.

"Uhm—no, but they only had mead and wine."

He smiled. "Don't drink too hastily then."

She nodded and began to eat the stew and so did he. After finishing it, they emptied their bottles and left the hall to walk up to their room again.

"I will wait here until you changed your clothes," he said and stopped in front of the door. She smiled and entered the room to change her clothes.

"I'm ready," she called and entered as well. She wore a white nightgown which made her black hair shimmer immensely and he gulped.

"I—uhm—"he mumbled, but fell silent again. She crawled under the blanket and placed her head on the pillow. He pulled off his dark cloak, his fur coat and boots and finally lowered down next to her. She lie on her side, her back was facing him so he couldn't see her blushed cheeks and the idiotic smile on her face.

"Good night—"she whispered.

"Good night—"