The sound of wood rolling across the stony road awakened me from my sleep. My back was stiff from being asleep while sitting for Auri-El knows how long. When I opened my eyes, I realized that I was riding a carriage along with three Nord people in binds.
Wait, what in oblivion is this?
I tried to stretch my arms but to no avail. Like the rest of them, my arms were also bound. I tried to rip them by force but I'm far too weak in my current state to do so. Having nothing to eat for a week does this to every Mer.
I looked down, ashamed of my own recklessness in my eagerness to return to my homeland. If only I just stayed in Cyrodiil and just blended in as an Altmer because of how easy it is to do so. Long white hair and a much paler than usual complexion is not that difficult to find excuse to cover. However, that would dishonor my race, the same reason that I want to return to Skyrim so bad.
Yes, I am a Falmer.
"Hey, you. You're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border, right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there." the blond Nord in front of me said.
My ears are still ringing that I didn't bother hearing what the thief has been muttering. Instead, I am feeding my eyes with the view of what I assume to be Falkreath. I used to be frequent around here as the forest provides an excellent hiding spot for me back when I was being hunted down by the Nords.
Why am I being hunted down by the Nords? It was because of my race. However, in my circumstance, it is a bit more complicated. My story in itself is not all that tragic but I would rather bury them in the past because no one would actually believe me, especially the people of this era.
"Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?" the Nord asked the thief in rags.
"Why do you care?" the thief retorted.
"A Nord's last thoughts should be of home."
"Rorikstead. I'm... I'm from Rorikstead."
Rorikstead? I haven't heard of that place before. But considering how 'long' I've been away in Skyrim, I assume that it was a land named on the first era or later, possibly just a steading of some guy named Rorik. I wouldn't be surprised knowing that the Name Rorik sounds Nordic enough. I could be wrong though.
"What about you, elf?" I turned my attention to the Nord in front of me. "Where are you from?"
I hesitated for a moment. Surely, they won't believe me if I were to say that Skyrim is my homeland. For them, Skyrim is for the Nords. I've learned that from the way they chased me down. I've also learned from the frontier villages near the boundaries of Cyrodiil and Skyrim that there are these group called Stormcloaks who wants to free the land from anything but of Nordic origin.
However, I'm not about to twist my own words just because some arrogant group claimed Skyrim as their own.
"I'm from the land you called Haafingar."
As our carriage entered the gate of this town called Helgen, the two other prisoners in front of me kept on talking. The thief prayed to the gods of the Nordic pantheon while the... uh... soldier? Well, the blond one was getting sentimental about some girl that was sweet on him back in the days and some mead with berries added. The one with a rather noble-looking clothes beside was silent the whole time due to the gag placed on his mouth. The one in front of me called him High King or something but I highly doubt that he really is the High King of Skyrim.
Eventually, the carriage stopped. A female Imperial Captain and a Nord soldier with some kind of list were waiting for us to come down. On the other carriage, there are also few Nords with the same leather armor and blue sash as the one on the same carriage as me.
A bit of fear crept into me when I saw the huge Redguard with an also huge axe. In my few years in Cyrodiil, I recognize their type as the Headsman, tasked to carry out executions by beheading.
"Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm."
Upon his name being called, the noble-looking man walked towards the group of Nord prisoners. Wait, if this guy is named Stormcloak, then these people are the rebels and the Empire wanted to execute them immediately. This also means that I would also share the same fate with them.
For some reason, my slight fear was replaced by determination. They would surely execute these Stormcloaks first, giving me the extra time to summon a weak sun spell to burn the binds on my arms. With that, I slowly burned the binds while keeping the magnitude low so that no one would notice. While doing so, I try to absorb as much Magicka in the air as much as possible.
However, my concentration was broken when I saw the thief running off to escape the Imperials, only to be shot by an arrow to the back. If I were to escape, I need a significant distraction to avoid becoming like him, although I doubt that a single arrow is enough to kill me.
"Anyone else feel like running?" the Imperial officer mocked while facing me. I think that one was specifically directed at me because I'm a Mer and Men hate the Mer so much even in this era.
"Wait, you there." the Nord soldier called to me. He had the look of confusion, possibly from my look. Knowing that I'm the only Falmer that I've seen for the past thirty years of my life after my parents died of old age, it is safe to say that this one haven't seen a Falmer before.
I slowly moved towards him while resuming the burning of my binds. I worn a neutral expression on my face, the same as what I do always when I'm in the proximity of Men.
"Who are you?" the Nord asked.
In truth, my name is not something of Elven origin. I know why they named me as such but I don't know if I should really live up to the name. Right now, I would rather choose to introduce myself as the other name that my parents give me which sounds more Elven to sound more convincing.
"Ilealar." was my short response. I don't want to reveal much about myself nor spit out a lie just to hide my identity. The one with the list is obviously confused upon running through his book for any that matches my name. Either that or he's just confused about my whole being.
"A high elf? Are you from the Thalmor? No that can't be right." Yeah, no. Unlike the Thalmor, I just wanted to live peacefully by my own. Even as a Mer, I do hate them for their oppressive nature. But well, it seems like everyone in Tamriel are hungry for power and domination to some extent that I'm still wondering why Molag Bal is not their main deity of worship. "Captain, what should we do? He's not on the list."
When I looked at the Imperial Captain, I doubt that anything that comes out of her mouth next will be on my favor.
"Forget the list, he goes to the block." Indeed, I stand corrected.
The Nord's eyes twitched a bit then turned his gaze on me, eyes full of disappointment and pity, something a bit more suitable for the event.
"By orders, Captain. I'm sorry. We'll make sure your remains are returned to the Summerset Isle."
"No, I was born in Skyrim. Please leave my body here." I replied, correcting his misconception of me.
"Is that so? Well, at least you die here in your homeland. Follow the captain, prisoner."
He looked doubtful in my statement but just went along with it. For him, it may be just another delusions made by a prisoner who is about to be beheaded. It doesn't matter as I know I'm able to escape my 'fate'. I've been to multiple circumstances like this with the Nords of my time and I escaped them always. And if things go south, I can always use 'that' as an emergency weapon.
I played along by following the Imperial Captain to the headsman's block. By now, I've already cut most of the binds on my arm as the only thing left is a single leather strap.
An Imperial officer with a unique set of armor started uh... scolding the nobleman about plunging Skyrim into chaos because of his rebellion. However, what got my attention is that this gagged person killed his king with the use of the Voice. If there is a voice capable of killing something, it is undoubtedly the Thu'um.
However, it seemed that my guess did not happen as I was the second to be beheaded instead of what I thought which is to be the last. I have no choice but to start charging sun magic in my very being while pretending to willingly submit to them.
As I kneeled down, ready to release the burst of sun magic in my body before the axe go down on my neck, I heard a very familiar sound. It was a roar I've never heard from in a long time, and it reeks of death and destruction.
The dreadful roar broke my concentration as the accumulated magical returned to its normal cycle inside my body. I felt my hands shaking and I probably have the most dreaded expression on my face right now.
"It c-cannot be... Why is he h-here?"
The crowd quickly dismissed the sound they just heard while the Imperial Captain just looked down on me, smirking sadistically. "It cannot be what? Who is here? Have your gods came down to take you?"
"No... Al-Aldu-"
What I feared has happened. Landing at the stone tower next to me is a titanic beast with a pair of wings darker that midnight itself. I've never forgot what kind of tyranny he brought to Skyrim and possibly to the whole Nirn itself. His red eyes were aimed towards me like he knew me. Did he really know about me knowing about him?
The next thing I knew is that there is a gust of pure force coming towards me at high speed. I quickly rolled away from the force projectile. Unfortunately, I didn't completely dodged it as I was scraped by it, causing me to be launched sideways.
While my vision was still hazy, all I saw was the bright rocks falling down from the sky, destroying everything it touches. I tried my best to stand up but the impact made my legs go temporarily weak. With that, I tried my best to use my arms instead because they are now completely free.
As I move towards some kind of tower, an arm lifted me up and swung my arm to his shoulder. "Hey, elf! Get up! Come on, the gods won't give us another chance!"
It was the same Nord that was with me in the carriage who helped me. Not wanting to be a burden, I immediately mustered my strength to stand on my own. The Nord let go of me and ran off in the shelter of the tower in front of us. "This way!"
With the strength of my legs somewhat restored now, I immediately ran inside the tower. As I went inside, I realized that it was just another dead end before the stones on top of us would fall down on top of us.
"Up to the tower, we need to find an escape here!" I shouted while practically running the stairs towards the ceiling of the tower. I don't care if they want to follow me or not but it's better if they would.
When I reached the top, I aimed towards the roof of the destroyed in below me. The roof looks soft enough that I can jump down there without any problems. And so, I did.
My eyes darkened when I saw a civilian who got incinerated by standing in the way from the dragon's breath towards a child. He really is toying with the people here.
"Torolf! Gods, everyone get back!" the Nord soldier shouted while grabbing the child away from the dragon. He then noticed that I'm also present in the scene.
"Still alive, prisoner? Keep close to me if you want to stay that way." then turned towards the old man and the child. "Gunnar, take care of the boy. I have to find General Tullius and join the defense."
And so by running behind him, we made our way across the village in chaos. Although I can protect myself just fine now that I mustered some emergency strength, having a soldier guiding me will avoid any complications, especially if I were to encounter the Captain again. Luckily, that didn't happen.
Soon enough, we were about to enter the Keep when we found the blond Stormcloak soldier. It seems that this Nord Imperial soldier knows the other one.
"Ralof! You damned traitor, out of my way!"
"We're escaping, Hadvar! You're not stopping us this time!"
Damn, I have no time for this! Both of them helped me with my escape yet they are enemies. I can't just let the other one die while I choose to go with the other. Without any options left, I grabbed both of them by the arm and pulled them towards the nearest door to the keep.
As we entered the keep, both the opposing soldiers dropped to the ground in exhaustion and shock from what just happened. As for me, I've already done something like this before with a bunch of dragons but that is a story for another time. What's important is that we survived.
"Ugh, are we the only ones who made it?" Hadvar asked, forcing himself to stand up.
"I think so. Was that really a dragon? Like the ones from the children stories and legend?"
I decided to stay silent. I know that it wasn't just an ordinary dragon. Instead, it was Alduin, the one tasked to end the world yet used his power to dominate the mortals. But as what I've witnessed in his attacks, it's clear as day that he enjoyed toying with the people of Helgen.
While resting for a bit, I heard the two Nords arguing about something, probably about their chosen factions and whatnot. I wouldn't be surprised if they can't set aside their conflict for this dragon problem. However, they cannot be allowed to continue.
"I don't know about you people but I just want to get out of here alive. We should be moving soon if we want to survive." I interrupted the both of them.
It seemed that what I've said calmed the two of them. They must have understood the weight of the situation. No factions of theirs will be able to stop that specific dragon and the best course of action they could do now is to stay alive.
As we had expected, we're the only ones who really made in to the keep as there were no other people they encountered as they went deep to the keep. Well, we passed through a rather fresh torture room with a newly dead torture victim, which I took the enchanted robes from.
That was the case until we heard the fighting of Stormcloaks and Imperials somewhere inside the keep. They were probably here first before the dragon attack.
"So, anyone wants to stop them?" I pointed towards the skirmish.
"I don't think we would be a help in stopping them. Worse is that they'll also kill us." Ralof replied. He probably knew that him being with an elf and an Imperial soldier, they would immediately brand him as a traitor from their cause.
"Sneak, it is then."
We tried to sneak our way across their uh... battlefield. Unfortunately, a tall elf and two big Nords are not cut out for sneaking together. An Imperial soldier found us and immediately aimed its sword towards us.
"What is the meaning of this, Hadvar? You're siding with the traitors?"
Hadvar immediately stood up, his hand holding the handle of his sword. "No, Janus. Didn't you know? The dragon is tearing up Helgen above!"
"Excuses! You're going to die, traitor!"
Meanwhile, Ralof was also facing the same problems with his fellow Stormcloaks. I guess we really have to fight our way out here. I immediately picked the sword of the dead Imperial soldier and prepared for the worst.
Indeed, the fight became some sort of rumble where everyone is trying to kill each other regardless of factions. Some are still trying to uphold their factions' mission while some just wanted to escape the keep after hearing Hadvar's words.
I coated the sword with a bit of frost magic to emulate what a frost enchanted sword would behave. Instead of feeding from soul gem, it uses my Magicka. Save for Hadvar and Ralof, I began slashing towards the Nords and Imperials who stood in our way.
My two Nord companions must have felt a bit of grief that they weren't unable to convince their allies to cease the fight and just escape Helgen altogether. But for me, I have no real attachment to them. Just another group of people who were hostile to me, and thus, been subjected to my blade instead of me dying to their hands.
Finally, we managed to escape Helgen through a rather untouched tunnel that leads to an exit. We also saw Alduin leaving the area and was heading north.
"Look at that big bastard, leaving like nothing happened." Hadvar hissed at the sight of Alduin.
"Can you imagine? Helgen went down just like that. This calls for a united Skyrim if you ask me." I commented.
The two Nords looked at me in disbelief. Well, I'm aware that both of them came from the opposing warring factions. However, something as petty as their war will be comparable to children's fight if Alduin is allowed to dominate the land any further.
"I guess you're right to some extent." Ralof then turned towards Hadvar, offering his hand. "So, truce until we go back to our superiors?"
Hadvar took his hand and shook it, earning a sigh of relief from Ralof. "Truce. I hope we won't meet in battlefield anytime soon."
"What about you, friend? Where are you heading now?" Ralof asked me. I guess surviving with someone from a dragon attack made him consider me, an Elf, as a friend. I don't mind either as both of them kinda saved my life even though it was their fault that I was mixed up in this mess in the first place. "I suggest you come with both of us to Riverwood. You can stock up with supplies before you go into your own journey."
"I'll take you up on that offer." I responded.
It is probably for the best that I go with them. I'm way too tired to hunt and gather food in the wild considering that I already pulled off most of my strength so that I can fight in at most half capacity earlier in Helgen. So having something to eat in a sheltered place would be welcome.
Carrying multiple armor sets from the dead soldiers proved to be quite the nuisance during our travel to Riverwood. We have to stop by once in a while because I have to fastened the vines that bind my looted armors in place. Sure, it's quite the burden but I need something to sell so that I may have some enough money. It seems that everything is revolving around money these days.
...
We've arrived at Riverwood without much issue on the way, well, aside from a couple of wolves which went down in one or two hits. The village was quite nice and peaceful. There is a sawmill, a blacksmith, general store, an inn, and some farm animals. Truly a somewhat self-sustaining village.
"Here we are, Riverwood. You should sell your stuff at my Uncle at the blacksmith. I'm sure he will fetch you a generous price for that." Hadvar suggested, pointing at the blacksmith who is sharpening an axe.
"I better go to my sister. She must have also seen that huge bastard fly over here." Ralof said as he ran towards the woman who was tending the sawmill.
I went before Hadvar to the blacksmith so that by the time they discuss about the dragon attack, I won't be roped in it. It proved to be easier as Hadvar first went to play with his little girl cousin. At least that's what I've heard from his conversation with the girl.
I gently dropped my uh... luggage in front of the blacksmith. "Are you buying any of these?" I asked.
"Of course. A mostly intact Imperial armors would be most welcome. Though I find it questionable where you get these."
Finding something to retort from his statement is difficult. I know he is an Imperial sympathizer considering that his nephew is part of the Legion. And indeed, handing over some blooded Imperial armors to a sympathizer is a bad idea.
Thankfully, before I could say something inappropriate, Hadvar arrived and greeted his uncle. "Uncle Alvor, hello!"
Before I knew it, I was invited into their house. Hadvar explained everything, from our arrival in Helgen, the dragon attack, and even how I acquired a bunch of armors from both military factions. And because they have truly invited me to join their meal, I took the opportunity to eat a bit more than usual. I was tempted to eat more but the looks that the family gave me are enough to discourage the act.
"Like I said, I'm glad to help in any way I can. But I need your help. We need your help. The Jarl needs to know if there's a dragon on the loose. If you do that for me, I'll be in your debt." Alvor requested to me.
"I guess I can do that much." I replied.
"Thank you, friend. Wait here while I get you some traveling supplies and the payment for your armors." he said as he went downstairs.
...
As Hadvar said, his uncle paid generously for the armors. I also made sure to keep my enchanted robes just because it feels kinda comfortable even though it came from a dead man.
The path to Whiterun was surprisingly easy. Not easy in the sense that a sickly civilian would survive because the occasional wolves are still a thing. It's easy because there are no warring factions patrolling. They warned me that some occasional skirmishes with either the Stormcloaks, Imperials, and Thalmor are happening all around Skyrim.
Even though Alvor packed me a whole two day's worth of supplies, anticipating my travel to be of the same length, I only took from noon to early evening before I saw the huge castle near what I remember to be the location of the Skyforge. Well, I always lived on the run from dragons and Nords that traveling fast and quiet became a necessity.
As of this point, you would be wondering why I speak of being hunted by Nords and dragons, especially of my knowledge of Alduin.
Well, the truth is that I am not from this timeline. Although most of my kind, the Falmer, are already corrupted due to the Dwemer, I am, as far as I know, the last true Falmer of the Late Merethic Era.
The Nords of my time are way too eager to slaughter all of my kind, sparing not a single soul, even children. There are also their dragon overlords lead by Alduin, who sadistically rule over any sentient being in their sight.
For some strange action of the gods, I was just sleeping in the forest of Falkreath when I woke up inside the rather modern Imperial City. Despite the war going on with the Aldmeri Dominion, it was relatively much peaceful compared to the era where I came from. So I tried to live across anywhere in Cyrodiil for three years before I became homesick and decided to visit Skyrim.
Coincidentally, it seemed that Alduin also followed me here on this era, although three years later than me. Yes, his arrival is dreadful but if he really wanted to fulfil his purpose of ending the world for real this time, I don't really have a problem. Most mortals would just be reunited with their gods in either Aetherius or Oblivion, which is not a great issue. That just means that all suffering will end, well, except for those who for some reason worshipped the most vile of Daedras such as the likes of Molag Bal and others.
Oh well, although it is undesirable, I guess I'm now back to my old lifestyle of hiding and running away from the dragons before I am reunited with Auri-El.