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Dragonborn and Vanadis – Chapter 3
Tigre was surprised, but Fenris was confused. 'I already technically in a contract with Ellen, so I am already serving her. Unless…' Ellen just retained her smile and continued.
"Vorn, you will have the same title of Earl and the appropriate benefits as in Brune. However, your services will not be discriminated." She then turned to Fenris.
"As for you Fenris, I can easily give you a place in my army. I know we made an unwritten contract before Dinant, but I want you to serve me as a general in my army. Will you end your career as a mercenary and become one of my subjects? You will both receive benefits and recognition for serving me fully and fighting to defend the peace in Zhcted."
Tigre and Fenris were thinking of what Ellen was offering them. They both thought of the benefits of serving her, but their personal motives and ideals conflicted with her offer. Fenris was thinking of a compromise when he heard Tigre speak his answer.
"I am thankful of your offer, but I refuse."
"Tigre, are you aware that you may never receive such an offer again in your lifetime?"
"Yes, but I have to turn down Ellen's offer."
Fenris could tell that Tigre had a strong reason for reject her offer, especially he would no doubt be treated better here. Both Ellen and Lim both have a somewhat surprised look on their faces.
"Why would refuse my hand?"
'She isn't disappointed or angered. Not many would keep their composure when they make a generous offer and is rejected.' Fenris could only listen as Tigre explain his reason. Fenris can't help but to praise him mentally for his passionate words regarding returning to his home territory.
'Alsace… So Tigre is the leader of a small territory far from the politics of his own country. Despite the benefits that he would gain from serving Ellen, he willing gave it up for his land and people. Seems I underestimated him further, for also have a noble heart. However…'
He then turned to Ellen, who have a serious expression on her face as she sat on the window stand. "Your spirit was praiseworthy, but have you considered what would occur in the future?"
Fenris shook his head. While Tigre was no doubt both noble and brave in handling Ellen's offer, but he was still a prisoner of war.
"Like Ellen said, you have a strong spirit regarding your predicament. Yet I'm am sure you understand what your fate would be as a prisoner of war. You could either be freed, killed or…"
"Forced into slavery. If I don't receive the ransom before the deadline, I will sell you to a merchant from Muozinel."
"Muozinel?" Fenris wasn't sure if it was a city or kingdom after Ellen interrupted. He then stay silent as he listened to Tigre and Ellen conversation regarding his ransom and how she reminded him that he begged for a lower ransom. It was then Tigre chose to change the topic.
"Yesterday, who that man that me and Fenris shot?"
"An assassin after my life. While not rare and hardly a threat, yesterday was quite dangerous. I have you and Fenris to thank.
"A pity who have no clue who ordered the assassination despite our efforts. It is a rare sight to see an assassin take his own live."
"There is nothing to worry about Fenris. I am still alive and that is all that matters."
It was soon after the meeting that Tigre was allowed to return to his room with Lim behind him. Fenris was surprised that Tigre would be given much freedom to move around the castle despite him being a prisoner. At the moment, he and Ellen was the only ones in the office.
"So Fenris, what do you think of my offer?"
"It was quite generous and you spoke about it with honesty. However, I have mixed thoughts about it."
Ellen raised her eyebrow, for was expecting Fenris to accept. "What is wrong? I sure that my offer would appeal to you." She knows that mercenaries usually don't serve kingdoms and rarely stay for long if they do. Yet Fenris wasn't an mere mercenary and don't act as one.
"Well, I am not bounded as Tigre is. I do care for the well-being of my homeland of Skyrim, but I know there are people who require my aid beyond her borders and I accepted that I may not be there when she is threatened again. However, I worked with people who showed the same aura that you display but revealed the extent of the darkness within their hearts."
"Fenris, I can see that you were betrayed before. Understand that I never turn my back on my subjects or abandon them."
He looked at her expression and saw she was serious about her words. It eased him, but he wasn't the type to join a group on a whim. Dinant was an exception though as he was not familiar with this new world. He soon thought of a compromise for Ellen's offer.
"What about this Ellen? The contract I made with you was supposed to expire in a few months. I would like to extend the term of service about 4 additional years and with special conditions."
"Special conditions?"
"Yes. If you commit an action that I don't accept or give an order that goes against my ideals, I will terminate the contract and we go our separate ways. However, if you show that you are someone that I could follow and live up what you say about yourself at the end of the contract, I will join you and your army as one of your subjects."
Fenris know what he said was a rather radical for even himself. Despite joining a number of organization and choosing a side during the civil war back home, he doesn't stay with them for long and return back to wandering. He assumed that the same would apply in this world.
He saw that Ellen had an surprised expression before it changed to amusement. "You have quite an counter-offer. While I could refuse, I would be a shame to lose such an interesting and promising warrior to someone else. Very well Fenris, I accept. You will soon see that I am someone worth serving under and woulnd't regret being one of my subject."
Pleased with the response, Fenris bowed his head and thanked her before he turned to leave the office. However, Ellen stopped him before he reached the door.
"Wait. Since we're alone, I wish to sate my curiosity."
"Curiosity in what?"
"About you and your equipment. What you have explained when we first meet, it was like you don't like to talk about such matters."
Fenris was usually quiet on how he obtains his items due to being bothered time-to-time by curious people and avoid unwanted attention. He wasn't the type to talk about what he recovered or created. Seeing Ellen's eyes however, showed that she is the type not to back down and he merely sighed.
"Well, I guess I could help sate your curiosity about me. The reason I don't talk about such matters is because I prefer to avoid getting too much attention. Just don't ask about my whole life because there is much to my life than you imagined. I even doubt you would believe most of it."
Nodding her head, Ellen sat back on the window stand as she looked at Fenris with interest. "Your armor and weapons intrigued me when I first lay eyes on them. I would love to hear about them."
Fenris took a deep breath, for it is going to be a while to explain about the equipment he used for much of life.
"Okay, for starters, provide me more details about your armor? I know I said before that you hunted down dragons, but no doubt you were part of hunting parties or found a badly injured dragon. Even with magic and the best equipment, fighting one alone is an act of suicide."
Fenris signed as he began to talk.
"I know it is going to be hard to believe, but I killed many dragons by myself. What I been told about the dragons in your lands, they have scales even stronger than the ones back in Skyrim. When I fought against my first dragon, I was accompanied by town guards and we were using steel weapons at the time. Despite that, the dragons from Skyrim are very powerful and not to be taken lightly. In the end, many guards were killed and I almost died as well."
As Ellen was speechless from what she heard, Fenris continued on.
"As for my armor, it wasn't an easy task. First the dragon scales and bones were heavy and I was only a handful of them back. Also, since there was no lore on smiting using dragon parts, I had to learn through trial and error. It was only by becoming experienced in smiting the most complex of materials that I decided take the challenge. It was no easy task since I send many months with little success."
He continued to talk as she listened intensively.
"After many failed attempts, I successfully made the armor I use up to this day. I even made dragonbone armor and weapons, but they are stored in Skyrim. Dragonbone weapons were once part of my everyday equipment, but I found their weight along with the attention it brings me to be too troublesome. The only reason I undergo this task to have an armor that is both durable and light. The prestige of creating such armor is just an unintended effect."
It was less than a minutes of silence before Ellen spoke. "Okay… What about your swords? Its design and properties are like no other. Especially the one strapped to your back before…" Despite her response, her thoughts were not the same.
'That is not what I expected from Fenris. He doesn't seem to be very interested in fame and glory.'
He took another deep breath as he began to explain his weapons. "The two blades I wield in battle are what I call katanas and are based on the design of unique weapons I found an ancient ruin."
Fenris decided to not talk about Sky Haven Temple or any notable locations I visited before. If he talked about the places of interest he visited, Ellen would no doubt ask about them and he would end up describing them without end. He been to over a hundred locations across Skyrim and beyond after all.
"The design is not like ordinary swords."
"Yes Ellen. Its curved, singled edge design grants it incredible cutting power and the tip could easily pierce through ordinary armors. The only difference is that I used a much stronger material and enchantments in recreating these weapons." He decided not to speak of its Chaos enchanments, which grants a significant chance of harming an enemy with 1 or more of the following destruction effects; fire, frost and shock.
Ellen was impressed of his weapons that he called katanas. After the battle of Dinant, she looked through the grounds which her men watched Fenris unleashed his katanas. She found bodies with various slash injuries which was not naturally made, so his explanation proves that his weapons were like her Dragon Tool; a magical weapon.
But she was more interested in the sword that was always strapped to his back. The hilt's design seems to show that the weapon is very old; a worn black leather grip and a dull brass guard shaped like a coiled snake.
"What about your other sword that is sheathed on your back? You never seem to use it."
Fenris then made a complicated expression. "That is not going to be easy to explain. I found it in the same ancient ruin like before and is similar to my katanas, but it is much more unique. It has a special enchantment which inflict major damage to dragons, but the effect is relatively minor against anything else. Due to its effect, I only draw it when I am up against a powerful dragon. Based on the lore found in the ruin, it was named Dragonbane."
Ellen now had an astonished look on her face. Dragonbane, a weapon which lives to its name for it was meant to be used against dragon. As she was thinking of what effect it could do against the dragons in her world, the office door opened and Lim came in.
"Fenris, I didn't expect you to be here."
"Oh Lim, I was talking to Ellen and answered some questions. Do you need something?"
"I need to talk to Elleanora-sama about Lord Tigrevurmud. Do you mind?"
Ellen sat up from the window still and approached the two. "Very well. You may go Fenris. I will wait for another to for you to answer my question. Thank you for your time."
"Your welcome Ellen."
Fenris then bowed his head and left the office as Lim and Ellen began to discuss about Tigre. It was near the end that Ellen spoke about what see learned about Fenris through their previous discussion.
While intrigued of the details regarding his armor and weapons, Lim was more intrigued of his response her Ellen's offer. Despite being surprised of offering a counter-proposal to Ellen's offer, Lim can't help but be pleased of the possibility of Fenris fighting along side them in the future as a proper comrade in arms.
10 days have passed since Ellen's challenge and Fenris was once again in her office along with Tigre and Lim. On his way here, he and Tigre were granted by a bald soldier. He was surprised of how shiny his bald head was.
His name was Rurick and Fenris recognize that it was same archer who issued Tigre the bad bow from before. He was apologizing for his previous actions; an act of gratitude of Tigre's mercy since he was spared from being execution. He also apologized to Fernis, which he then spoke of second chances and showed his approval of redeeming himself.
It was then Fenris and Tigre when to the archery range, where they were greeted by the other archers and asked to join in with their practice. Fenris was given apologizes from the other archers and he learned that Ellen explain to them of his poor performance 10 days ago. No doubt they were sorry of treating Tigre unfairly while Fenris went as far to weaken himself to have a fair contest.
'I never expected to see such a sight this morning. Then again, I am pleased that Tigre is being treated better.' Those were Fenris thought throughout the practice
Fenris also learned more about the dragons of this world. They inhabit deep forests and tall mountains and prefer to be away from the sight of people. He was shocked that the dragons had scale that were even tougher than the dragons in Skyrim. While ordinary iron and steel weapons would have no effect, he was unsure if his own weapons and spells would be effective. He has yet to tell anyone here about his ability with the Voice and would rather not use since it would attract more attention then he wanted.
Then again, he was wearing his armor and wielding his weapons today, so he already getting plenty of attention. Especially the talk about dragons soon became questions directed to him regarding his armor's creation.
He was pleased that was over and now watched Ellen holding a cup of tea while discussing with Tigre, who was called to her office with Fenris accompanying him.
Fenris learned that she wanted to see if Tigre is capable of using any other weapons, which replied that he couldn't use anything else other than a bow. He found that Ellen is quite interested in knowing other special talents that Tigre has since his archery skill have impressed everyone, including himself. They are to meet up tomorrow on the training field to see Tigre's potential.
"Today was both tiring for me and Tigre." Fenris whispered to himself after witnessing the spars before him and then his own.
It was the day that Tigre display his skill with other weapons and Fenris can't help but shake his head. Tigre have displayed skills that are equivalent to a novice with the weapons he was given, showing that he was very vulnerable if an enemy charge in for the kill.
During one spar, Ellen and Tigre used wooden staffs and she disarmed him in a brief scuttle. Tigre ended up launching himself at Ellen and somehow ended up getting his right hand on her chest. Fenris had to hold Lim with all his strength as she was shouting at him to let her go and let her kill Tigre. He tried to say to her that it was just an accident, but she didn't listen as she tried to inch forward and attempt to draw her sword. When that failed, she then shook body in hopes of Fenris losing his hold on her, but he weathered it through.
Luckily Ellen was able to calm her down and the spars continued with Tigre failing with each weapon provided to him. When that was done, Fenris was surprised that Ellen wanted to see his skills as well. While hearing what her men told her at Dinant and their training sessions with him, she wished to see it in person.
Ellen and Lim were for a surprised when Fenris display his extent with various weapons. With each weapon, he showed a cautious assault against Ellen by attacking swiftly and leaving no openings at the same time. Ellen was caught of guard a few times when I used feints like giving her an opening or stopping midway in a strike and redirect it else where. Fenris matched all of Ellen's blows and purposely stall by dodging to understand her techniques.
After the spars, Ellen was breathing hard as she never expected to fight someone who could stand toe-to-toe against her. Little did she know that Fenris travelled across his homeland of Skyrim and never stayed in one spot for long. It resulted in gaining an impressive stamina and if he wanted to, just stay in the defensive to tire his opponent out. Despite all this, Ellen was very pleased what she had experienced.
In the end, Fenris helped Tigre up while Ellen helped Lim put away the weapons used. The two decided to wash up before going their separate ways.
"You seemed troubled Tigre. Is it my spars with Ellen?"
"No. I knew you are a skilled warrior and could hold your own. It is just that it is nice here."
Fenris listened as Tigre spoke about his treatment here in the capital, which was the opposite which a regular prisoner would experienced. He could tell by his tone, he values his home, Alsace greatly.
"Even with Ellen's generous offer in mind, your home and people comes first. Very admirable since you're aware of the situation you are in."
"What about you Fenris? Do have a place to return to?"
"Its complicated…"
Fenris knew that many in Skyrim would be wondering about him, but he doesn't know much of how he got here. He doesn't even have a clue if there is any spell that involves teleportation.
'Well, there is that scroll that I had with me when I ended up in this world. Then again, the odds of being a teleportation spell is almost to the impossible. If I recall correctly, it came from Morrowind…'
"You are sure you want to do this?"
"Not everyone here has yet to accept me, so it would be for the best."
By the time the pair reached the well in the training area, the soldiers practicing has decided to wash up as well. Tigre decided to go to another well he seen before and Fenris followed to keep an eye on him and see to that he doesn't get into any trouble.
'I hope I don't regret doing this.' Fenris thought in a tired manner.
As they approached the other well, they seen witness a sight they never expected to see in their lifetimes…
'Which I am regretting right now!' Fenris now thought a state of panic.
For they lay their eyes on Ellen, who was both soaked and completely naked. They could tell that she was washing herself before the two men arrived. Her figure and how her hair sticks to her skin made her more alluring than before. Fenris could only look at her chest, which was more developed for girls her age.
However, Fenris knew better and break from his trance that came from seeing Ellen in her state. He quickly covered Tigre's eyes while closing his eyes and looking away.
"We are sorry Ellen! We never expected to see you here!"
"…Yeah! We could tell someone was here, but we never thought it would be you!"
Both Fenris and Tigre quickly shouted their words in hopes to ease the situation. Yet, Ellen's reaction was not what they expected from a normal girl who was found naked.
"You two don't have to apologize. Both of you came here to wash up right? There is nothing wrong with that."
"Uh Ellen, that is not a proper noble is supposed to say. Especially with your status as a leader." Fenris said as kept his arm around Tigre's eyes and still averting his eyes away from Ellen.
"Oh your wrong Fenris. As a Vanadis and leader of LeitMeritz, I must speak and act appropriately in my position. I have to act accordingly even if I am seen naked."
As Fenris was surprised what he heard, it was Tigre turn to talk. "Could you please let me go Fenris? I promise not look at Ellen."
To be sure, he turned around with Tigre in hand and released his arm from his eyes. Like his promised, Tigre kept his gaze away.
After they have a bit of discussion of how this well became a place reserved for women and how Ellen could do so little if they were discovered by someone else like Lim, Fenris decided this is not the best place to be despite they could use when she is done.
"I think its time for me to leave. Stay at your own peril Tigre."
As he was about to leave, he noticed something moving in a bush behind and noticed something peeked out. As he approached and saw it was a dragon with blueish-green scales and small horns. To his surprise, it was tiny compared to the dragons he fought in Skyrim.
He was more surprised when it immediately flew pass him when he got closer. He unawarely turned his head to where it went to and his eyes landed on Ellen again. Lucky for him, she was covering her essentials with a cloth, so it made him more comfortable. The tiny dragon was behind her legs shaking, like it was hiding from a predator.
"A dragon?"
"This is Lunie, my dragon. I been taking care of it" She picked up the dragon as she tried to soothe the scared creature. "It is rather comfortable being around humans, so I am not sure why it is scared."
As Tigre was intrigued by the tiny dragon, Fenris walked his way to Ellen. As he assumed, the dragon became more frantic as he got closer. Soon he and Ellen were at arms length in distance.
"Fenris, Lunie seems to be scared of you." She tries to comfort it, but it continues to shake in fear of Fenris's presence.
"Ellen, do you mean to mind passing the dragon to me? I think I know how to show it that I am not a threat." He raised his left arm and opened his palm towards her.
While concerned of her dragon's state, she nevertheless passed Lunie to him, who was now shaking in his hand out of fear as it stared at him.
It closed it eyes when Fenris moved his right like it expected to be crushed by his palms, but instead felt his hand rub his head. When it Lunie opened its eyes, it now saw a sincere smile on Fenris face. He then moved it closer to his mouth as he whispered words that Ellen couldn't even understand.
Little did she know that Fenris was speaking the language of the dragons, specifically the dragons from his world. Due to him absorbing the souls of many dragons, he could spoke their language as it was his own. He hopes that the little dragon could understand his words despite being of a different species.
"FAAS NI MAL GEIN. ZU'U LOS FAHDON. ZU'U FEN NI AAX HI. LIG OV ZEY. LIG KOS DII FAHDON."
[Translation from the Dragon Language to the English Language: Fear not little one. I am friend. I will not harm you. Please trust me. Please be my friend.]
To both Ellen's and Tigre's surprise, the little dragon slowly stop shaking as Fenris continue to stroke its scales. Seeing that it calmed down and no longer shaking, he gently passes it back to Ellen.
"There we go. I am sure that me and Lunie should be able to get along in a matter of time." As he turned to return back to the castle, he moved to his head to Ellen.
"I know what you are going to say. I will answer it when the time is right Ellen. If you excuse, I will return back to the castle. I will find another time to wash myself," he said as he moved to towards the castle. He now has to find the best time and place to explain what he did to Ellen's dragon. He shocked that the dragon seems to sense who he is. He has yet to find the perfect moment to explain who he truly is...
'My status of being Dragonborn… Did my power have an effect on all dragons regardless of world? This world is giving me more questions as time goes by.'
Back at the well, Ellen soon left after clothing herself in a short robe, leaving Tigre to wash off alone. As she walked with Lunie beside her, he thoughts revolve around what words did Fenris spoke to claim her dragon down. While he said he will explain it in the future, it showed that there was more to him than she hoped.
'What did he do to calm Lunie down? I know he hunted down dragons in his world, so Lunie could have felt an aura of a dragon hunter. But the way he spoke, it was like it listened to him and understand clearly. I must ask him about what he did soon.'
Moments later as Tigre left alone at the well, there was a loud shriek from that location. Fenris could hear it from his quarters and recognize that the shriek was Lims.
He could only shake his head and sighed.
"Huh Tigre… I did say stay at your own peril…"
Author's Note:
I was in a good mood today, so I was able to finished the last parts of this chapter. I have yet to start writing the chapters for my other stories excluding Dimensional Omega which was updated yesterday. This chapter continue on the Vanadis storyline and explain a bit more about Fenris the Dragonborn. Not much action is shown, but in a chapter or two is when the real fighting starts.
If you are wondering of how I made the translation for Fenris whisper to Lunie, I used a translator found on . It could translate English to the dragon language in Skyrim and vice-versa. I may use time-to-time if I want Fenris to speak in dragon's tongue.
When I first started of the idea that became this story, I have plans that Fenris would have a harem in the future that would include all the original Vanadises. After looking into the light novel and the anime again to refresh my memories, I realize it would much complicated than I thought. Seeing that the Vanadises have different personalities and ambitions along with a number of event that are part with the main story, I had thoughts of making alterations to events to make the harem occur, decreasing the number in the harem or go straight to a single pairing.
I would like to hear your opinions about the pairings with a reason or two, but that is optional and I will in the end make the final decision.