BATTLE FOR WHITERUN

The Harbinger

I sit how I was when the Night Mother was here. My back against the wall and my knees up to my chest. I didn't dare move the whole time. I wondered if she would see. But she didn't appear to, or else she would not have been that desperate.

Next to Dawnbreaker on the ground was Spellbreaker. Beyond that, Molag Bal's Mace lay near the Ebony Mail, near that the Masque of Clavicus Vile. And on my hand laid the Ring of Hircine. She couldn't see any of it. It all remained invisible to her eye and supposedly Vilkas's. He didn't even scour the ground but I'm not sure if it's because he couldn't see them, or because he was focused only on me.

The poor man. My heart ached when I saw him snatched up by the Night Mother like that. I wanted to stab her straight through the heart yet again. With that new, festering wound, it would be easy to. But I have yet to find Mehrunes Razor. I have not found the Ring of Namira or Azura's Star. None of them. I will have to work more to get them. The only thing that kept me from prying this instant is the fact that I cannot meld them into my skin again. I have to carry them with me. Since they're invisible, they should be safe here for the time being, but I will need to decide what Artifacts I need by my side quickly.

Vilkas was well fed and well clothed. They weren't torturing him, thank the gods, and he had that stern look on his face. Based on his armor, I wonder if Galmar will send him out with us today. He was quite impressed with my last run.

"Wolf. Here's your food for the day." The man himself enters the room with a tray piled high with raw meat. My mouth immediately begins to water with the lush scent of it. When I was mortal, it smelled enticing, but I knew it was always best to cook it. As a wolf, I can't seem to get enough.

He puts the tray down gingerly. I move to devour most of the contents. The meat is tearing through my teeth as quick as I can when Galmar talks. "Annoying woman. I'll have to speak with Ulfric. Did you see her?"

I keep my head low, to get as much meat as possible. The question is, should I tell him or not? If I do, he could add extra security but then she could just take it out on Vilkas. If not, then I guess there weren't many consequences. Once I had all those Artifacts at my disposal, I wanted her back in here. So I could finish her myself. I keep eating.

He sighs, "Crazed woman. She's mad, insane! I think she took Ulfric to bed last night. Ah, if only the flesh didn't make men so weak. I thought Ulfric might be wise to her tricks, but she got him good. I'll have a word with him later."

"Bring him with us." I say around the next piece of meat I'm chewing. It wasn't good manners, but I needed to let him know. "We can show him the truth."

Galmar sits next to me in a fit of laughter. "On the battlefield? You think the rush of the kill will change his mind? The adrenaline of a fight?"

I shrug, it's helped with me at times when I was so distracted. "It gets him away from her influence."

"Ah, you're smarter than I give you credit for! But that won't happen. It's a very slim chance. Ulfric needs to stay here and be ready for the next move. I, however, will be going with you." His gray eyes meet mine, "I want to see you cut into every Imperial bastard and all those who side with them with those sharp fangs." He nods his head to my incisors. I keep eating.

There's a stretch of silence, where the bear of a man glances around the room. At first, my heart constricts, thinking he has seen all the Artifacts I have strewn about. But he doesn't breathe a word of them. "Maybe if this battle goes well, I can convince Ulfric to give you a more…spacious room. A real bed and an actual bathing room. It's not like you have much to move anyways."

I don't nod or show my acknowledgement of his kindness. I'm not even sure if it would be kindness at this point. All I know is I would vacate this for another lowly, prisoner to take it. I would need to get all the Artifacts out and that would be hard to explain. I might also be further from Vilkas. Let's hope I stay in this cell a little while longer.

The south of Whiterun was torn up already. I duck when I hear one of the catapults go off nearby. The ground is fiery. Smoke rises from the plains. It pains me to see it, I've traveled to and from this city the most in my short life and I've never seen it in such a state. This is the last city I want to infiltrate, but we must. All the Artifacts aside from Dawnbreaker and the Ebony Mail, worn under my current armor, are still in the belly of the Palace of the Kings.

I would be worried for Vilkas's safety as well but he squeezes my hand. He's been right at my side this whole time. We should be out there fighting yet Galmar is taking his time rounding up the men.

"How many have you killed so far?" Vilkas whispers to me.

In all honesty, it was too many to count. Or maybe my brain couldn't keep up with it in the state I was in when we were looking for the Jagged Crown. "I don't know." I settle for.

I feel his weariness next to me. I look up to his piercing blue eyes surveying the battered landscape ahead. "I just can't believe this." He whispers.

"Neither can I." I admit.

"I'm so happy you're here and safe. I just…wish we didn't have to do this."

"I know. It's not like we have much choice though." I say as another flaming projectile is placed in the nearby catapult. "The Night Mother still lives in the halls of Windhelm's finest building. We can't allow it further."

I can hear his jaw clenching from here, "And what if we just escaped? Left here and ran away?" He finally looks down to me. I see the sympathy in his gaze.

I shake my head quickly. "We can't. If we do, she will certainly find us."

Something about this interaction is off. It's almost like the two of us are on separate pages. Vilkas places a large, callused, hand on my cheek. "I just can't decide what would be best for you. If we left, you have a chance to stay as yourself. If you stay…Mjoll. It's like you're becoming one of them."

I pull away at that. Even the carnage and nearing bloodshed around us can't take my focus off him. "What do you mean by that?"

"You're becoming like the Daedric Princes, Mjoll. You've been influenced by them for too long. Hearing about those kills from Galmar. Mjoll, that isn't you. It's not like you to run into battle without a second thought of whether it's moral or not."

"But none of it is! You want the Thalmor to run this province?"

"You aren't listening, Mjoll. This isn't about the political situation at all. For us, it's been about the Night Mother versus the Daedric Princes. I would never side with her. I agree that she is the worst evil to walk the land but look at you." He nods to me. "Your eyes never change back. Your hands have almost permanent claws and your fangs…no person should live between the state of the man and the state of the wolf. It's unnatural."

I bristle, "I'm sorry you feel that way. I know from the start you never wanted the power of the wolf. I saw it in your eyes the day I entered that room when you spoke to Kodlak."

He winces with that remark. Maybe I took it too far, but it is the truth. He shakes his head, his face crumpled in frustration. "You don't understand. Kodlak wanted to be free of the influences. After death, all we have to look forward to is a life of endless hunt with Hircine. Do you really want that?"

He sees my indecision and presses further, "Do you not want to walk the halls of Sovngarde? Mjoll, you went there. What was it like?"

Memories of the brightly colored land come to my mind's eye. The softly flowing river, mountainous ranges, it was a peaceful land. Every warrior was there. Every great person to walk Skyrim. I never got into the Hall of Valor but I know I would have never wanted to leave. "I only saw it destroyed by Alduin. There was some magic there, Vilkas, but it wasn't what I thought it would be."

His eyes are pained. It is something to have the fire and sounds of battle raging around you, but you are locked into a conversation so deeply you can't wake up to your surroundings. "It is special. Kodlak, even Eorlund spoke of it with such clarity. They were certain it was an honor from the gods to be chosen. To live there for all eternity."

He wasn't wrong. But every time I thought of Sovngarde all I saw was the Night Mother's face painted in glee and hatred when she would wound me. The destruction she wrought. And the lack of mercy from Tsun. He sent us back when I know I would have been able to kill her.

Another firebolt is thrown into the sky. Men and women scream out in the battlefield. Others surround us, waiting for Galmar's orders. "This conversation is useless, Vilkas. It was an amazing land, but it's tainted for me. I can't think on Sovngarde again until she is dead."

He finally lets it go. I almost sigh in relief. I should not be so strained around my lover. I should be doing all I can to get him out of the Stormcloaks hold and away from here.

Galmar walks up the path in the battlefield with a stern expression. His hands clasp his battle-axe with a fervor only one in the middle of the fight could have. His eyes are passionate as they assess us.

"This is it, men! They say that our cause is false and that we are nothing more than thieves, thugs and murderers! But no! We are farmers! We are craftsmen! We are sons and daughters of shopkeepers, maid servants and soldiers! We are the sons and daughters of Skyrim!" He looks over each of our faces with a fierce sense of pride, "And we have come this far because our cause is true. Because we fight as one. And because our hearts are bursting with anger! What we do here today, we do for our country! For all the true Nords of Skyrim! Whiterun's walls are tall, but they are old and crumbling, like the Empire whose Legion lines them. They've barricades to block us, but we'll tear through them and the Imperials behind them!"

His icy eyes lock with mine, his next statement is for everyone, but it feels like is wanting to only address me, "Our objective is the drawbridge. If we can find a way to drop it, the city will be ours!"

He turns to the crowd at large, "Everyone on me. Let's show these Imperial milk drinkers what true Nords look like!"

There's a resounding battle cry back to him. Vilkas tilts his head to me. "You want to go in as a wolf?"

I wanted him to change, but I wasn't sure about me yet. "You can. I might stay in human form." I smile up at him, "Grimsever has been lonely without much use as of recent."

He chuckles, "Very well then." He sinks to the ground and begins the change.

A few Stormcloaks watch this take place with awe. Galmar comes to clap me on the shoulder. "Good idea, changing over. Will you?"

I shake my head. "I need to stay agile to get to that drawbridge."

"Clever, maybe use those claws of yours." He chuckles and walks to find the other stragglers before entering the battle.

I look down to my hands. The claws were shorter today, but I can strengthen them and use them. They begin to lengthen without a second thought.

Something large nudges my leg. When I look down, I see Vilkas on all fours, he tips his head to the side. A question.

Can you hear me? I think to him.

He tilts his head the other way. "Did you hear that? My thought?" I ask him. He shakes his head, but it's a laborious process, such a large thing to move.

"Come now, wolves! You have throats to tear out!" Galmar yells back to us. He holds his battle-axe in a death grip. The sharp side of it glints in the diffused lighting from all the smoke going around us.

I brush the muddy fur on Vilkas's head. "Go ahead of me. I'll be right behind you with Grimsever. Once I open the drawbridge you should go. I need you to escape to find Aerin and the rest of the pack."

I don't need to read his mind to see that firm no from him. His eyes blaze back at me with defiance. I wish to say more but the battle is raging around us. He takes off.

I have little time to pull Grimsever and race behind him. Guards, fellow men and women I've seen at the Bannered Mare or getting some armor forged by Adrianne, are pouring out around the city. Weapons raised and battle cries from their helmeted faces. This very well could be their last battle because I won't allow it to be Vilkas's.

He charges ahead, taking out guard after guard with nothing but his claws. One races to me, but I pull Grimsever in time to catch the woman's arm. I turn quickly and slash down her back. She falls.

I pray to Hircine, to any of the gods if they are still listening to me, that I haven't killed her. Based on the sound she made that could have been Adrianne. It could have been anyone I've seen. And I haven't taken the care to cover my face. I only hope it's deformed enough they wouldn't know it was me.

I take a passing glance at the woman and see blonde hair sprawled from her helmet. It wasn't Adrianne. I ponder over who might be behind that when someone shoves me.

"The drawbridge, wolf. Then we take Dragonsreach." Galmar hisses in my ear. He spins me so he can swing his axe, one handed into an oncoming Whiterun guard. Based on how they held their sword it could have killed me.

"Thanks." I say, still shell shocked by all of this. What Vilkas had told me was starting to wake me up. I really didn't care about those Imperials I killed on my first time out.

"I see that look in your eye. All new soldiers get it. You have to knock that conscience in your head out, girl. Or else, it will be the death of you." Galmar spits some blood onto the now cooling corpses.

I watch him step over them, without another word and without another care for the carnage that is ensuing.

Focus.

The word comes to me clearly. I shiver with the proximity of it. It's almost like Hircine was right next to me. I turn my head, halfway expecting a stag to be near me but I see nothing. "What do you want me to do?" I whisper.

I get no response. It must have been his only try. A scream sounds ahead. I look up sharply to see Vilkas tearing into guards. Two behind him have fashioned a makeshift catapult. If they launch something stronger than him, it will surely kill him.

I race up the steepening hill and launch myself. With my strengthened muscles I am able to fly over the battle below and land right next to the guards with the catapult. One yells and pulls his short sword. I beat him to it by knocking it out of his hand with a human hand that looks more wolf-like by the second.

"But Talos what is that thing?" He yells but I move to sink my incisors in his shoulder and fling him from the ledge. The other guard backs up. He tears his helmet off. It's enough time for me to scour his face. He is not someone I know.

He charges, an expression of rage and fear conflicting on him. He raises his sword. I step to the side and let him fall. He will live or die, at least I gave him the chance. "Vilkas." I call to him.

He turns his head to find me. We cannot communicate like I am used to, but we don't need words. He moves slightly so I have a good footing.

Once I leap onto his back, he charges the rest of the guards. I see the drawbridge controls up ahead. They're under a great awning, that will make it more difficult to stick the landing. Vilkas stops at the last minute, I am not sure if it is because of new enemies attacking or if he thought it was a good launching pad, but I am now airborne.

I grunt when I hit the side of the sturdy wall. The cobblestone still crumbles under my touch, leading me to believe this is not wise in the slightest. But I pull myself up with my left arm, and Grimsever in my right.

They try to stab me, try to impale me, but they do not know who they are fighting. I tear through them with Grimsever at the helm. Once all three guards are dead, I pull on the levers.

"Good job, wolf! I'll have a feast with your name on it! Meet me in Dragonsreach!" Galmar races through the drawbridge, his bear hide follows him with the speed he picks up. He makes five more kills before entering the city.

I glance down at Vilkas. His eyes are only for me.

Leave. Go get your brother and Aela. And Aerin. I tell him.

No, Mjoll, I will not leave you to this. He says to me. I clutch the side of the wall in shock. I hadn't known that would work.

I have little time to argue my point. I just send images of our friends to him. The potential of their fates. He shakes me off. It's like my mind is open but all I feel is a brick wall.

I have to leave it. It enrages me so much, that when I land to enter the city I grasp onto his muzzle. "You are not listening, Vilkas. Every moment you spend in the Palace of the Kings is another chance at death. You know the Night Mother has a grudge against me for what I did." I speak quietly but right to him.

His eyes still blaze. I won't leave you to her either.

"Please, Vilkas." My breath catches, "I've spent so many nights waking up to a dream that she killed you in the cell right next to mine. It takes a long time to hear your breathing. Once I do my heart can finally calm. I don't want that to be a reality. And based on what she did this morning, barging in, she will not hesitate to do it again."

He shakes his head. I can't get another answer because Stormcloaks move past us, pushing us with their bodies to get to Dragonsreach. Vilkas shoves me to follow them. Get to Galmar. I will see where I go.

I nearly choke with the relief. I am not simpleminded enough to believe he will leave without a fight. I know he very well may be back in his cage by nightfall. But we do have work to complete.

When I enter the city, it is in pandemonium. A woman races up to me with a battle-axe on her back and a short sword of steel in her right hand. She comes up short when she sees me. Her face is battered and littered with scars, her eyes are weathered and weary, and her face still is smudged in dirt.

"Mjoll. What in the gods…" Adrianne Avenicci trails off. I feel a sense of déjà vu. I had her run up to me that day I joined the Companions and now look at me.

"Go. Hide or get out of here. I can't guarantee your safety." I tell her. I turn away so she will stop looking at my eyes with such fear.

"No! You allowed them to enter my home and steal into my families and my friends house and businesses! And you expect me to turn away?" She laughs, "I can't believe what they turned you into. I should have known the Companions were a bad bunch."

I raise my arm right when she brings down the sword. I have to call it, I get a little nick on the wrist before it kicks in, but my arm turns spectral. The sword slices right through it like it is nothing but air.

"I don't want to hurt you." I plead, "Leave. Please." I keep walking.

"No! Mjoll! You need to pay for what you've done!" She brings the sword at me again. But I move to a fighting stance, one foot staggered in front of the other and I back up enough to dodge her blows.

This will not do. The only way she will stop is if I stab her through. But I can't live with that. I concentrate as much as I can. I know the power is still there. She screams out and I turn my head to see it.

I called one of the ice wolves. Like any other werewolf but with a spectral, ethereal, look to them. They are powerful and intimidating. Instead, my heart sinks at what I see. Sheogorath. His head bent to the side at an unnatural angle. His eyes look out, resting in death. His body is completely spectral and barely hovering over the ground. As if hanging by a thread.

My heart rate quickens. Was this his demise? Is this how he is in Oblivion?

Don't' worry, dearie, I can't get through, but I'll scare her off….

His voice is intimidating. Full of claws and a deep bass. I back away with bile rising in my throat. His body turns on a dime to see Adrianne who now looks like she will be sick.

Go.

He doesn't have to say it again. I leap over the debris in the way and race all the way to Dragonsreach. This time I keep my mind focused on how Sheogorath looked. What my power is doing. That way, I won't be able to see the battered state of my homeland. If I do, I will fall to pieces and never get back up.

"Enough. That's enough. I surrender." Those the words I hear right when I walk into Dragonsreach. I find Jarl Balgruuf on his knees in front of Galmar and the other guards. Galmar turns his head in time to see me. His face is filled with joy.

"Ah, there she is now! The pride and joy of the Stormcloaks." He raises a hand to me.

Jarl Balgruuf looks to me and freezes. His eyes fill with horror. He tries to stand on his own but with a shaky ascent, one of the Stormcloaks must hold out their arm for him.

"It's you. I got a letter from you some time ago. You said you were going to watch out for her. Make sure the Dark Brotherhood never advanced on Whiterun." His voice dips at that.

I remember that well. I did send him a letter on our departure to Riften. I told him that myself and the Companions were at his service. "Why did you join them? I heard you haven't even taken the Night Mother down like you said." He gapes.

The others are now staring at me. Waiting for me to explain myself. I glance over each person here.

"Sounds like your pet is a turn coat." Galmar guffaws in his face, "Better luck picking from the litter next time. Maybe you won't get a runt."

I wish to tear his head off. I know he is riding the high of battle and victory, but this is not how I want this interaction to go. Maybe I can help myself here. "Galmar, do not call me a pup anymore. If I am to help you, can you please stop with the pet names?"

He stands there, his face frozen in a laugh, "You have earned it…"

"Jarl Balgruuf. I can't explain the horrors of the last few months…" I begin. Unsure on how much I should tell him. How much I should let on. I'm not even sure if I should say I am their prisoner, or I am with them by my own accord.

He holds up a shaking hand. "Stop. I've heard enough. By the gods… your voice is strangled and your eyes…I believe you. Whatever has been done to you in the past months is evil. I hope you escape it. There's healers down in the Temple of Kynareth."

"No. No healers for her. She's the perfect killing machine! Now about Whiterun. What say you?" Galmar holds out one of his short swords again to the man.

The Jarl holds his hand out to him too. "I surrender. Give me a few hours to gather my household and I'll take my leave." When his eyes shift to me, they are hollow. He turns to trudge past his banquet of feasts, past his former throne and up the stairs to the living quarters.

"Follow him. Make sure there's no tricks." Galmar snaps. A few Stormcloaks are diligent enough to take the orders and follow through.

I stand there, in the center of the room with Galmar's appraising eye on me. My chest feels heavy. I hope Vilkas has gotten away. I fear for Adrianne's wellbeing. For the whole of Whiterun. I'm not even sure what the city will look like after all this is done. I follow the sound of Jarl Balgruuf's slow footsteps to his room. He's just passing the landing that looks over the great hall. He won't even look at me again.

"Good job today…Mjoll. We have you to thank for this." Galmar tilts his head. His eyes are glimmering with excitement and curiosity. "Don't look so glum. When I tell Ulfric of the news he's sure to get you a new room in the upper quarters. You get your own shower, shitting hole, vanity. Whatever it is you wolves do with your hair. You also get your own bed, not that skeever infested ground you tend to sleep on."

I nod numbly.

"Come on." He claps a hand on my shoulder and shakes me. "Wake up, wolf! A new day is dawning! Soon, the true High King will be on the throne and our brothers and sisters shall live again in harmony. What say you?"

I look him in the eye. "I accept your offer. I just need to get a few things in the basement when we return."

He bursts out into laughter, "Whatever you say, whatever you say!"

"One more thing." I tell him. "I accept. Only if the other wolf stays with me."

I see the look of confusion on his face before it becomes lecherous. No doubt he wants to make some sort of dirty joke. He just laughs again, "For you, Mjoll. For what you've done for the cause, I would give you the world."

Observations on day 4

Not much of interest to report today. The two vampires worked as diligently as they did yesterday. It was hard, however, to give them blood. The jester man attacked the guard who tried. I told him how foolish it was to get his still-bleeding hand so close to the subject.

I won't prattle on about such superficial nonsense. I am just confused because the mortal counterparts don't starve. We've put out food. Bread, meat, vegetables, anything that they would need to sustain themselves. They haven't touched it. Just worked away. No one has collapsed from exhaustion as of yet.

The vampires are a different story. I see their faces; they have that look of hunger to them. I am guessing this is because of their new states. If they were older, they wouldn't need for blood so badly. I will record what I see tomorrow. I'm sure most of this temple will be completed at week's end.

A/N: Hey everyone! I have good news! Just wanted to say I have this series completely written now! Storm of Skyrim: Dragonborn will end up completed at 53 chapters. :)