Guide:

Dwemeris

Thoughts

"Speech"

"Dovahzul"

Warnings/Disclaimer: See chapter 4

Chapter Warning(s): Dragon. See also; Expensive housing is expensive. Lastly, Nords are primitives, don't let their sophisticated language fool you.

Last time…

Then, I let all thoughts except those aimed towards survival go as the dragon notices our approach. For a single, terrifying heartbeat my eyes meet his – unfathomable depth and magma-hot rage burn inside the creature's soul, and its gaze remains trained on me until one of the guards gets lucky and nicks its snout. Jenassa lets out a war cry, aiming her arrow and firing without pausing her sprint. Seeing the ledge of a broken tower piece jutting diagonally above the dragon's wing gives me an idea – a terrible, horrible, crazy idea that I'm definitely going to use.

Chapter 11 – Dragons vs Dwemer

Fighting a dragon is horribly crazy anyway.

My breaths come in short gasps through the smoke and ash, my heart hammers violently in my chest and my ears ring with the echoes of the screams of dying men as I give myself not a second of pause.

I finally reach the edge of the area, making a direct aim for the ledge, dodging fire and burning stone as the dragon roars again. My hands are slick with sweat, and it only makes the white-knuckled grip on my weapons tighten further as I jump over an unnaturally still body and move up.

My inner monologue, to any Dwemer who might have been alive, nearby, and using the Calling on me, must be quite boring, going along the lines of: Fuck. Fucking fuck shit I'm dead I'm so, so, so fucking dead.

My amulet glows an intense blue when I'm suddenly engulfed in flames, my eyes comically wide in surprise – the heat burns and scorches and tries to blacken my skin, but the enchantment holds up even against dragon fire, the blue glow blinding me to the path in front of me and making me stumble. I can't breathe for a precious few seconds, heat and flame sapping the oxygen from the space around me - and when I can finally take a gasp of precious air, I search for the origin of the blast to see the dragon has dismissed me. Thank the gods I don't believe in – a normal mortal cannot withstand dragon fire without enchantments… like I have.

A deep breath brings more ash-tasting air into my mouth, the soot getting in my eyes and nose, but I fight through the discomfort and the reflexive tears and the heat still wafting off the scorched and burnt earth underneath me. Endure. Like the stone.

I nearly lose sight of the giant wyrm, a wing knocking me down when it beats in tandem with my pounding heart, the dragon – it's going to fly off! Stumbling back up as fast as I can I miraculously manage to reach the top of the ledge. Let this work, whoever listens, let this WORK –

"DIE!"

I yell, taking a leap off the ledge. I've lost sight of everyone else at some point, and not my gaze focuses on only the horned head below me.

I slam into the creature's scaly neck, nearly dropping an axe as I scramble to get a grip, digging my fingers into the ridges around the horns, snarling wildly in answer to the dragon's loud roar of agitation, deafening in its closeness. The world slows around me as I raise my axe high above me and bring it down with every ounce of force I can muster, letting out a roar of defiance. I will not go down today!

Something cracks, but it isn't the creature's skull. Now even more pissed off than I was, I growl again like a wild animal, heart racing in panic, dropping my broken weapon carelessly and drawing my dagger, looping my legs around the thing's head before nearly falling down in an effort to hang off the side of its maw.

The steel digs deep into my enemy's eye, through the soft tissue and eyehole, even deeper when I push on valiantly and there's blood everywhere and the body below me shocks and writhes and bleeds and bleeds ruby red when I take out the dagger and stab it again. And again, and again until the dragon collapses, sending me tumbling off the head onto unforgiving stone harshly, a pained grunt passing my lips.

"Dovahkiin, no!" The cry thunders into my ear before, as if my magic, only a deadly silence remains. It's broken by my own panting, and I down a stamina potion to gather enough strength to stand up. After pouring nigh-all of my energy into attacking, I'm glad I manage even this much.

I stare at the large beast in front of me – slain by me, and nearly collapse again. Dragons. Aicantar told me they were all dead. Yet, there's one right here..?

The sound of crackling, like a campfire in the night, but louder, reaches my ears just as the guards and Jenassa start carefully approaching me. My view zeros in on the dragon before me – the origin of the noise. To my growing panic and shock, it starts to break into fragments of light, near-blinding in their intensity and in a myriad of different colours. Another sound, like the beating of a heavy drum or gong echoes through the inside of my head, sending me reeling in pain even as a sudden gust of wind blows the glowing dragon pieces towards me – Wait, what the –

I'm too late to dodge, and can only watch in horror as the light comes towards me in a winding spiral before I cry out in surprise as it enters me and the world stops turning and there's too much energy too much power make it stop and why do I feel like I'm flying what is this I, no, not me it's…!

Mirmulnir.

After the strange word – a name, the name of the dragon I just killed what in the mines – bounces off the inside of my skull and seemingly all around me. My head hurts as much as it usually would only after using the Calling for far, far too long.

But even as one of the two men cautiously approaches me, it fades to a dull ache. And by the time he speaks, the pain and rush of energy are all but gone. "I can't believe it… You're… Dragonborn." One of them says, awed. I can only look at him in confusion. Everything about this situation is confusing, and now they're calling me strange names? I've never heard the word 'Dragonborn', but my parents were Dwemer, thank you very much.

I scowl and cough the smoke out of my lungs before biting: "What in the mines is a Dragonborn?" He pauses, as if not entirely sure why I'm even asking.

…

A Dragonborn can steal a dragon's power by sucking out its soul? Sounds like something Arnknurlaf - err, Meridia, would come up with. "That's what you did isn't it? You took the dragon's power?" He doesn't even seem to know that for sure himself.

I remain silent, glancing at the sky to see if there aren't any other surprises waiting for me up there before standing up again – did I fall back down when the wind hit me? – and dusting off my pants as much as I can. Jenassa walks up to me, holding something very familiar in her hands with something akin to sympathy in her gaze. "Here. Thought you might want to keep this." I look down at my hands, and the broken axe inside them. A faint, sad smile passes over my face like a shadow before I sigh shakily.

"I don't know what's going on… I just want some water and rest right now." I look back up as I hear the heavy footfalls of an armed party coming nearer before another Dunmer woman calls out. "Halt! What in Oblivion happened here?" She eyes the dragon carcass, and so do I. There's only skin and bone left.

I glance down at myself. My cloak is torn beyond repair – When did that happen? - and my leather chest piece probably won't survive another blow. One of my bracers is missing entirely, and my boots are worn and covered in dried stains.

Doubtfully, I think back on my first impression of the dragon earlier – I could, in fact, attempt to make myself a fitting set of armour out of the skin. There's plenty of it, after all. The scales, a gleaming brown-grey, won't even stand out much. I'll need to use something more mouldable for the clasps, though. Not iron, never iron, it rusts too easily. But steel… I wonder if Adrianne is up for a little project.

The end product might even be worth asking Xrib's Blessings for, which would complete my training and mark me as an adult.

It's about time. Old enough to slay a dragon, not old enough to marry, my ass! Oh…The other dunmer woman is done talking and she asked me a question. I run a hand through my filthy hair sheepishly. "Uh…come again?" She lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Did you, or did you not, slay the dragon?"

"Mirmulnir?" I ask without thinking. "Aye. I him stabbed in the eye a few times… I think." I probably wasn't supposed to be able to call it by name. Also, mental note to me: stress brings out the worst of me, grammar wise. I wish this language were as simple as my own. I try not to use my mother tongue too much, though – might be dangerous.

"You did." Jenassa confirms for me, clapping me on the back, nearly sending me right back onto my knees with the sheer force of it. "I taught you well." She smirks wryly. "Though I can't teach you to keep your head out of the clouds, it seems. Irileth here is the jarl's personal Housecarl. She says that he will want to speak to you for your bravery." I blink at her. "You seem to have your words confused. That just now was pure idiocy. Stupidity."

"Your stupidity has saved many lives today…" Irileth starts, before trailing off, seizing me up confusedly. I roll my eyes. "Mixed blood, if you must." I drawl, narrowing my eyes at her in a way that hopefully makes clear that it would NOT be appreciated if she called me that. "My name is Fjaldi dû Bthardamz. Fjaldi will do." I add, and she nods stoically.

I cross my arms over my chest, covering the large gap in my armour as I catch up with Jenassa, who is limping slightly. I let het do her thing for all of five steps before stopping. "Have a health potion." I dump two of the phials into her hands, and she clutches them even as she snaps readily. "I don't need them."

I glare at her over my shoulder. I'm hurt, I'm tired, I'm confused. I'm completely done with all the shit life is throwing at me today. I just killed a damn dragon. The world might be ending soon. I lost my faithful, self-crafted axe. Lost a reminder of home. Shut the fuck up and drink the gods-damned potions before I show you where you can shove your pride.

"That was non-negotiable." I carefully measure my voice through gritted teeth. She says nothing for a few tense heartbeats, my fists clenching and unclenching. I turn back to walking after Irileth only after I heat the tell-tale noise of a cap being opened with a 'pop'.

I'm leaving her in Whiterun. I decide, ignoring the ache in my chest at the thought of wandering the roads alone again – I've saved up enough coin to take a carriage to whichever place interests me next. I can take it. Besides, I'm going to figure out how to use dragon scales for armour… Oops, I forgot to take them along.

I turn on my heel, quickly stalking back towards the dead Mirmulnir. "You go ahead, I forgot something!" I call over my shoulder. "Except you, Jenassa, you're following me." She sighs in exasperation, loudly, before joining me. "What could you possibly want now, sera?"

I take out the dagger, poking the dragon skin from the inside of the body, through the ribs. Aye, this can work.

"I want to bring the skin. The scales cannot be pierced with arrows. I'm curious to see how armour would work out." She throws her hands up in the sky. "Marvellous." Now, that was sarcasm if I ever heard it. I give her an unrepentant grin. "Since you've been so nice to throw me into the river on our way here, thrice, you may have the privilege of carrying it for me."

I cackle at her affronted grumbling, but she helps me nonetheless. The guards at the main gates and the Khajit caravan I honestly forgot all about all gawk after us curiously as we enter the city. "Adrianne! Long time no see! I've got a wonderfully interesting idea, you see, and I was wondering if I could leave this here whilst I go visit Jarl Balgruuf?" I gesture grandly at the heap of dragon scales in Jenassa's arms, who, for her part, is entirely unamused. Adrianna's eyebrows shoot up into her hairline, and she places a hand on her hip as she contemplates me for a few moments.

Ok, new tactic.

But before I can even think of putting on my best kicked-puppy face, she gathers her wits.

"Well, well, look what the horker dragged in. Looking filthier than I've ever seen you." She finally laughs, carefree and content, and my heart aches dully before I can gather myself, "But fine. Leave the stuff here for the time being. Don't take till tomorrow to come tell me what you've been doing all this time, aye?" I smile and nod eagerly, before starting to make my way up to Dragonsreach. "Jenassa, feel free to stay and chat. I think I can handle this one." She chuckles and shakes her head in disbelief. "And he says he's no warrior." She mutters under her breath, almost too faint for me to hear.

I bite my lip, hand automatically going for my axes – only to find a dagger at my right side, instead. I squeeze the hilt for a moment. I will make a new one. A better one. And next time, I'll use a grand soul gem to enchant it, screw the laws… These surface-dwellers aren't bound to them, either.

The many stairs don't help my quickly souring mood any, as the events that took place not an hour ago pass through my mind's eye. A real-life dragon… A sigh passes my lips as I take in the interior of Dragonsreach. The high vaulted ceilings give in plenty of light – and I do not envy the ones responsible for replacing and lighting the candles on that majestic chandelier. The arches and intricate carvings are a sight to behold, and yet, my soul aches for the carvings in stone and Dwemer metals, of pale blue magic lighting the darkness. I'm tired… Can I go to bed yet?

I walk up to the platform, passing the two long tables and the fires without a second glance. I'm wary, weary, and confused. I look out into the room underneath half-lidded eyes, plastering a blank mask on my face, and failing at even that. I calculate my chances of escape, my chances of earning the jarl's favour.

My chances of getting out of here without – the ground trembles, shakes, shouts and warnings resound through the halls and above all, a sound like a chorus of male voices booms loud as a thunderclap ou of nowhere: "DOV-AH-KIIN!" The court stays frozen for a few moments as the trembling passes, before several different voices start talking at once, Irileth the only recognisable one amongst them.

For my part, it takes an embarrassingly long time to process what just happened.

Wait… No. What?

I stay silent. That was Thu'um, the dragontongue. They call for Drak'nakaraat Threinmûr… Dovahkiin.A sinking feeling settles heavily in my stomach. It cannot be. 'Dragonborn' then means… No. The Jarl, on his throne, catches sight of me and beckons me closer, a pensive frown on his face. I obey, out of not knowing what else to do more than respect. It cannot be. This feeling is just another thing I must endure. It cannot…be.

"Welcome to Dragonsreach, traveller. It is good to know that there are brave Mer like you in these lands in such dark times. First, a dragon attacks Helgen. Then another shows up at my city gates! Know I am thankful, stranger, for your deed and saving my people." There's making an opening statement, and then there's this.

I can only nod again, speechless. A dragon attacked Helgen and I didn't notice?

"I did only what felt right at the time." I digress evenly, choosing to disregard Helgen for now. Irileth turns to face the jarl then. "My jarl, the men say that he jumped on the dragon like a sabercat pounces on its prey. He stabbed it in the eye several times before it could fly off and cause more deaths." She assesses me once again, but the jarl is the one to speak before I can even formulate a sentence. "Where do you hail from, stranger, and may I know the name of the Mer who saved my hold." He figured out I'm a Mer… how?

Self-conciously, I smooth my hair back to the sides of my face, covering up the tips of my ears poking out, glancing at my feet briefly. I hadn't even noticed. Hiding my pointed ears proved to mean avoiding a whole lot of trouble with Nords, Imperials, even other Mer.

Hesitantly, I look back up, but only the uppity looking man standing next to the jarl seems to be judging…Wait, that's Proventus, Adrianne's Da. What's up with him? The blonde on the throne has a steady, soft gaze. I find myself relax despite myself. "Fjaldi dû Bthardamz." I say slowly. "My last name is the one my mother and I took after moving from my birthplace B… In the Reach."

A lone, elegant eyebrow rises higher. I smile faintly, taking a plunge. "If your guards are to be believed, I am Dragonborn." The second eyebrow joins the first.

"If that is the truth, then the Greybeards were calling for you. Best not keep them waiting too long." I am about to ask more questions, but he keeps talking as if he cannot see my slightly parted lips. Uppity human.

"One more thing – In light of your good deed, I permit you to buy property in the city. Speak to Proventus if you need anything." My eyes light up in faked enthusiasm. "Wait, Proventus? Proventus Avenicci?" Now I know why the guy seems so familiar: "Adrianne's Da?" The man lights up like a cherry as the entire court seems to turn its eyes to him.

I take the precious few seconds to take a few calming gulps of air, briefly squeezing my eyes shut to fight back the oncoming panic.

"Well…ah, yes. You were the one to give me that sword a few weeks back, correct? I remember you." He finally says. And only after giving him a charming smile do I turn back to the jarl. "Of course, my Jarl." The man doesn't seem in the least bit miffed at my interrupting his spiel. I can learn to like this guy after all. He passed the test. "Well, you'd best be off to High Hrothgar then." I agree solemnly, before heading over to Proventus right away – a house is shit expensive isn't it? "Just out of curiosity, what's the price for a house here?"

The answer has me huff slightly in amusement. "Can I pay in instalments? That way I don't have to carry around that kind of coin all at the same time." He seems confused. "Instalments?" For a few moments, I can do nothing but gape at the man like I'm the idiot here.

Then, I clear my throat. "Are you saying that, in three and a half thousand years, no human has yet grasped the concept of paying off a larger sum in smaller amounts at a time?" Actually, Ondolemar taught me the word, so perhaps the human races actually haven't? After some chatting, we come to an agreement. For now, I'm not buying the place. I mean… wooden housing.

I first want to visit the other holds as was my original plan. As I leave the building moments later, I can't help but regain some of my good cheer. I have a project to look forwards to, as well as the possibility to purchase a house should I feel the need. For now, the Drunken Huntsman is enough – I wonder how the others are doing.

…High Hrothgar can wait, right?

A/N: Should I get a deviant art account to dump all my drawings and sketches for Fjaldi and his family, and the amulet, and the armour that I'll be changing from canon? Yeah, probably. Am I gonna do it right now? Definitely not, if I feel like it we'll get there in like, a month :/