Chapter 3

Ragnthor

Ragnthor laughed with old friends and people he had know growing up and seemed to generally have a great time. But not too deep below the surface he was wondering just how to avoid Lydia, seeing how the Jarl had thrown them together.

The feast went on for many hours with each and every person come to congratulate him on becoming Thane, about how much he looked like his father, and expressing sorrow about his brother's death. As Ralof had told him his niece may have survived he used some of this attention to try and get some information. The only thing he found out was that a little girl had started to beg in the town square not long after his aunt and uncle left. He resolved to check it out as soon as he had a home and had patched things up with Lydia. Of the 2 he figured that finding a long lost child would be easier.

As he flowed around the room he tried to find ways out of the hall with confronting Lydia, seeing how this might be almost worse than the heartbreak. He was unable to find one. Giving up he walked up to Balgruuf and shook his hand.

"Thank you for this honor and the gift of the land back. I was planning to petition to get the land back before all of this Dragonborn business. This went almost better than I could have hoped. I just wish I could have met Lydia on better terms. It might have made my job a little easier. But it is time for me to go. I need to be in Riverwood in the morning to get wood to repair the house and a friend that offered to help rebuild."

Balgruuf roared out laughing. "I chose to allow her to serve now rather than later. I believe it is better to face problems head on rather than let them fester. The logic has served me well over the years. Good luck with the house."

Ragnthor gave a rather strained smile. "Thank you. Well now it's out of the skillet and into the fire. I don't have a place for her to stay and I don't feel good with her sleeping on the ground, so I would like her to stay here for a while. I will be back when I have a room for her."

Balgruuf just smiled and nodded. "You sound like an old man but so it shall be. Should I tell her?"

Ragnthor shook his head. "I will do it now."Balgruuf nodded and slapped him on the shoulder then left. Ragnthor downed a mug of mead and then walked over to Lydia.

Her face was a neutral mask as her approached. "Honored to meet…"

Ragnthor almost glared at her. "Stop. Not here. Follow me."

She had a look of shock as he walked out the doors. She followed close behind. He walked around the left side of Dragonsreach and stopped as soon as they were out of sight. When she reached him his face had softened to a look of both sorrow and almost shame.

"I'm sorry for that. I just don't want the pomp and speech. I know I left things all wrong and broken and I can give you reasons if you want, "Her eyes grew wide as he continued, "I want to know what you think. I need to where the people who I fight with stand. That way I know what I need to do in a fight."

He took his armor off and put it in his pack, leaving him just standing there in a plain cloth shirt and leggings with a small pair of boots. Lydia immediately swung her fist. She slammed it into the side of his face. She then kicked him in the groin and after he had dropped to his knees she grabbed the sides of his head and slammed her knee into his face. He shook his head and stood with blood running down his chest from a broken nose.

"I deserved that." He grabbed his nose and pulled forward with a sick snapped. "I hope that is kind of straight. Is there anything else you would like to say?"

She clenched her fists and Ragnthor was honestly scared he was going to get hit again. He must have flinched because a smile flashed across her face.

"Why did you leave?"

Ragnthor nodded and said "My brother's wife chase me out. And I had nowhere to go. I refuse to rely on charity to survive."

She nodded and then asked "Why didn't you take me with you?" She glared at him, daring him to lie.

"Because I had nothing but my own 2 hands, the weak strength that backed them and the old sword my father was using to teach me. I felt like I wasn't enough man for you. The only reason I'm here now is because I just might be man enough for you, but I still have doubts."

He took a step forward and flinched as she tensed. "I love you. Not just then but still. I didn't bring you because I would never willing subject you to anything that would cause you hardship. It looks like I failed."

Her anger showed on her face as she kicked him in the groin again. As he fell, he braced for another kick to the face but it didn't come. As she walked away he stood.

"You can stay at the keep if you want. I won't have a place for you to stay for at least a week, maybe more."

She paused and as he started to put on his armor he said. "Now I ask this as a friend. I am leaving for Riverwood tonight. I am buying wood from Gerdur and if Ralof is still in town he is going to help. Would you like to come?"

She started to walk away. "No. We are not friends. Not anymore."

As she walked into Dragonsreach, he walked toward the stables, saddled up and rode into the night.

"Well that might have gone better. Maybe." He told his horse. "You know. I think it's time I give you a name. What do you think of Ahearn?"

He nodded his head in agreement. "Well then, do you think that could have gone better?" Ahearn gave no response for awhile then flicked his ears back and forth.

"So even you don't know. Well some help you are." Ahearn snorted.

"Well I'd like say that I wish I hadn't gotten a broken nose but from what I have been hearing I deserve much worse. Talos what I wouldn't give to know how this would work out. But surprise is one of the spices of life."

He reached and touched his nose and winced. He was glad he hadn't when she had broken it. "Well boy, I hope I have made a step in the right direction. At least I hope I didn't go the wrong way. Now I hope you are ready for work. We will have a lot of logs to haul home."

Ahearn gave a little buck and looked back like what did I do to deserve you?

Ragnthor laughed "The Jarl though you were getting fat in the stall."

Ahearn gave an offended snort and Ragnthor laughed into the night.

Dawn was breaking as he rode into Riverwood. Ragnthor tied his horse to the fence in front of the inn and walked up to Gerdur's house. He put his ear to the door, and hearing no sounds he sat down and lit his pipe.

He couldn't remember where he had picked it up but it must have been in Hammerfell or Morrowind. He didn't smoke Skooma or other things of that sort but some plant that grows in warmer climates. He would either have to give it up soon or find a way to get some more shipped here. It would be a sad day if he had to give it up. It had been one of the few constants in his last few years away. He determined that he would limit himself to one bowl a week, unless he had another stressful day like yesterday.

He had just finished off the bowl and was putting his pipe away when Gerdur came out. She walked right passed him and jump when he stood.

"By Talos Ragnthor, don't sneak up on people."

He smile and said "Well it looks like I am going to stay. I helped the Jarl's men drive off a dragon. And it turns out I am Dragonborn. So the Jarl made me a Thane. I'm here to buy wood to fix up the old house and see if Ralof still wanted to help. And I will need to borrow you wagon. I have a horse but haven't got around to buying a wagon."

Gerdur shook his hand and bowed her head and smiled "No charge for you, my Thane. Well you can pay me with next fall's crops. And I always knew there was something special about you. Just in the way you carried yourself. Was always a little sad that Lydia had won you instead of me."

Ragnthor laughed. "Well Lydia didn't started her courtship with a fist."

Gerdur snorted and shook her head. "Now let me try and drag Ralof away from Brasella. He has hardly left her side. I don't know if it will lead to something more but I hope it does. It is time for him to settle down."

She beat on the door and yelled loud enough to wake the whole village. "Ralof wake up. Ragnthor is here to get help fixing his house."

Soon Ralof staggered out. "Gerdur, did you need to wake the whole village. And good to see you Ragnthor. Guess that means you're going to stay. By the nine, what happened to your face?!"

Ragnthor reached up and touched it wincing. "Lydia. I got made Thane and that made Lydia my Housecarl. I asked her where we stood. It still hurts so I'm waiting to wash it. I wish she had done worse. Last night I got a small feeling of the hell I put her through leaving."

He shook his head smiling "Enough about that, it's my cross to carry. I'm here to get some wood and help fixing the house. You still up for helping?"

Ralof nodded "Of course my friend. I think Brasella and Gerdur are getting sick of me anyway." They all started laughing as they went to load the cart. 3 hours later they were on their way.

Ragnthor and Ralof sat high on the cart as they drove back to the plains around Whiterun. Thankfully it was mostly downhill or flat so there wasn't much to do. So they talked about almost everything under the sun.

"So how did it go down with Lydia?"

Ragnthor sighed. "Worse than I'd hoped for but better than I feared. I wish I had tracked her down the night I saw her in the Bannered Mare. It would have made things easier but then again life is never easy. I met her about 3 hours after I had been made Thane. I had talked to Balgruuf to see what I should do and he told me to be direct. So after downing a mug of mead I walked over to her and told her to follow me outside, not wanting to ruin her standing by doing it where everyone could see."

His eyes grew sorrowful "We walked around the left side of Dragonsreach to stay out of sight. I asked her where we stood. I got a fist to the face, a foot to the groin and a knee to the face. That's what broke my nose. I told a little joke that didn't work and she asked some questions. Why did I leave, why didn't I take her. I don't know if I got them right or wrong. I told her I still loved her, because I do. Then I got another foot to the groin but not a knee to the face. Then I asked her, as a friend, to come with me to Riverwood. She then told me we were no longer friends and that damn near tore my heart out."

Ralof nodded and his eyes held the look of a man who had lost love as well. "I think ordering her out might have been a bad call. Asking might have been better. But she didn't knee you again, even though she knew you would let her. That means she doesn't utterly hate you but she still really doesn't like you. Do you really still love her, even after all of that?"

Ragnthor nodded and looked pathetic "I really do. And it's not just because I never had anyone else offer while I was roaming. As I fought in the Arena I had women of all kinds knocking on my door. And while I was in Hammerfell I had a lord ask if I wanted to marry his daughter because of my prowess with the blade. For 8 years she has been the only one to hold my heart. And honestly, I would rather die than have anyone else hold it."

Ralof laughed, knowing he was one of only a handful of people he could get away with it. "You, my friend, are by far the softest hearted warrior that I have ever met. If you can find a way to heal her heart she will be the luckiest lass in all of Tamriel."

They both nodded and laughed. "What about you Ralof? Is there something brewing between you and Brasella?"

Ralof gave a look of shock "What do you mean? I am helping a sister in arms to heal. Nothing more."

Ragnthor roared out so loud Ahearn shook his head. "I talked with Gerdur this morning and she said you have hardly left her side for 2 days. Fetching this and that for her. Always at her beck and call."

Ralof scowled and shook his head. "Damn that woman, giving out family secrets to rough necked warriors. Aye it's true I have feelings for her, have since we were put in the same band. This is the first time she has even shown that she knows I'm there. But it could be that she is still weak and is grabbing on to anyone she can."

Ragnthor nodded. "That's the way to do it. That's how I won Lydia, back in the old days. Found her crying on the riverbank and helped make her life better."

Ralof looked shocked "How long ago was this? I have never seen her cry."

Ragnthor nodded. "A long time. Must have been about 18 years ago. Only promise I have made that I broke. I said I would always be her friend." They rode in silence for a long while after that.

A few hours later it was time for lunch. Seeing as they were moving slower than Ragnthor wanted to be he decided to eat while rolling down the road.

He threw Ralof a hunk of venison. "Eat. We still have to unload these when we get there. I want to get started on the walls today and if we're lucky the roof tomorrow. I can't imagine what the town is staying about Lydia not being out here to help"

Ralof shook his head and growled. "You sound like Gerdur. 'Go cut wood, Ralof. Go make food. Stoke the fire, I'm cold.' Here I am just trying to help a friend."

He smiled as Ragnthor apologized. "I'm sorry Ralof. I was just coming back for a visit. Now I am an important man in the hold. It just a lot to…. What was that?"

He slipped a knife from his boot. Out of a bush burst a huge black dog with a hungry look on his face.

Ragnthor laughed "You make it up here and I'll give you some food." In an instant the dog was up on the wagon.

Ragnthor tossed him a piece of meat and scratched his ears. "You stay with me and I will feed you every day." The dog looked at him.

"I will take that as a yes. I will call you Slasher cause you're a big fearsome dog." He started playing with the dog on the pile of logs.

Ralof snorted. "Knock it off you two. You're making me sick." They started laughing.

2 hours later the pulled up in front of the old house, and it was a sight to behold. The roof had fallen in and broken the floor of most of the second story. The walls were sagging and parts had fallen down. In fact the only part of the house that was still in good condition was the chimney. The stone fences had been knocked down. By bears or giants he couldn't tell. The fields were mostly fallow from being over used. The stable was a pile of logs sounded by a ring of stone. In short it wasn't a lovely sight.

"Well" said Ralof "If I had known it was this bad I would have stayed home."

Ragnthor laughed and slapped his shoulder. "I just need your help with the walls, roof and building a small room behind the chimney. After that you can leave."

Ralof looked down and said "Is that all? I wager I won't be done for more than a month. A Month Ragnthor!"

Ragnthor laughed and pulled a log out of the back of the wagon and drug it to a spot near the house. "Well you didn't have to come. Besides, I don't think it will take more than a week."

Ralof looked to the sky "Talos, the things I will do for a friend."

He then grabbed a log and followed Ragnthor. After they had finished unloading Ragnthor sent Ralof back for another load.

After Ralof left Ragnthor walked around the house checking the foundation. He couldn't find anything wrong with it so he started knocking down the old walls and then checked the upright beams for signs of rot. If he found any he would knock the beam down and plant a new one in its place. Every time he knocked a beam out the second floor would move so he pulled it all down. Seeing as it was becoming dark he hauled all the bad wood out back and made a pile.

Then he pulled his bedroll out of his pack and lay down under the stars. He started to sing an old song his father had sang when he was a boy and before long he was fast asleep.

He woke at dawn to the sound of birds singing. He walked over to the well and pulled on the chain. A bucket come up full of clear water.

"At least I don't have to add digging a new well to the list of things I need to get done."

He took a drink and left the bucket out for Slasher. He then walked over to the chimney and started to mark out a room and then started to lay the foundation. He then took some logs, cut them in half and set them as beams. He then took his axe and cut a hole in the only wall for a door. He then took a log and cut it into boards and made a door.

As he was nailing it into place Ralof rolled up. "About time you show up."

Ralof looked shocked. "I blame your horse. I don't think he likes me."

Ragnthor nodded. "We let's get these logs unloaded and then try to get the walls up to the second floor today." Ralof nodded and jumped down and started hauling logs.

They managed to get the rest walls up to the second floor by the end of the day. They ate another cold meal and went to sleep. The next day they worked on building the rooms on the first floor and bracing the walls so they would support a second floor. The finished the day by making door frames and windows. Seeing as there was not enough time to bother starting work on the second floor they started on the stable. That had just finished pounding the last nail in when the sun set. Slasher had managed to bring down a deer and drug it home so they made a fire and had a hot meal for the first time in 3 days.

"That dog must have more wolf than dog in him to take down a deer." Ralof said as they were getting ready for bed.

Ragnthor nodded and pet the dogs head "But just enough dog to be loyal and friendly. That makes for the best kind of dog. If, divines willing, I have children I'm sure he would give his life to protect them. I might pick up a she-dog and bred puppies if he turns out good. I will give you first pick of the litter."

Ralof nodded "I'd like that. A man needs a good dog". And with that they all went to sleep.

The next day they build the floor, rooms and staircase for the second floor. And it was the staircase that took the longest. Ragnthor had it just like his father had. The steps were boards that had been discarded because they were full of knots. He sanded them smooth and used some snow berry oil to give each step sheen and glow. He then walked into the woods behind his house and peeled some misshapen logs to make the railing and then polished it with oil. They then finished the day by building up the walls to where the roof would slope. They were tired the night so they ate cold meat and went to bed.

The roof took 2 days. They first laid a framework of beams that gave the basic shape of the roof. Then they split logs into thick boards and hammered them over the framework. They then spent the rest of the day making shingles out of the boards that were left and making enough nails to pound them on. It would take about a dozen buckets worth. They then slept for the night.

The next day they spent the whole day on the roof. The hardest part is the beginning because you have to start on the outside edge and work toward the top.

While they were working Ragnthor asked "Why do you fight for the rebellion?"

Ralof looked offended "Because Skyrim should be for the Nords, not the empire."

Ragnthor nodded and said "Now don't jump off the roof but if we did leave the empire, would we be strong enough to face the Almeri Dominion? They almost destroyed the whole Empire with all its soldiers. What chance would we have by ourselves?"

Ralof nodded "But in order to save so themselves they made us abandon Talos. And the whole of the Empire did without a fuss."

Ragnthor shook his head. "You're wrong. Everywhere I have been there have been Talos worshipers. Do you think I would still be alive if Talos wasn't worshiped still? The Thalmor would have killed me. And the only reason they have cracked down on us here is because we are breaking a treaty. A treaty that the man who leads our Empire, which was founded in Skyrim by the Nords and who have always had Nord blood in them, agreed to in order to save, recover and prepare to fight again."

Ralof nodded and said "Then why do they bleed her dry?"

Ragnthor sensed a shift in Ralof so he pushed it "Because Skyrim has always been the one place the Empire could rely on. Sometimes we have not been well rewarded but the time is coming when the fate of Tamriel will rest firmly on Skyrim's shoulders. Will we let the Empire fall to the hands of Elves or will we save the Empire that we, the men and women of Skyrim, founded."

Ralof had both fire and realization in his eyes. "You are right. While we squabble and fight the Elves are gaining power. If you plan to join the Legion then I will too. It will be hard to face Hadvar though. And it will take some talking to convince Brasella."

Ragnthor nodded "That it will. And if you stop by with her before you leave I would be glad to help you convince her."

Ralof held out his hand. "Thank you my brother. It is a strange feeling though. Feeling like you are both saving and betraying your country at the same time."

They shook hands and then laid into their work. They were done before the end of the day.

The next morning Ragnthor walked up and shook Ralof's hand. "Well Ralof, thanks for your help."

Ralof looked around. "But you not done, you still have that small room to finish."

Ragnthor nodded. "And it's mine to do. Let's call it step one in a long process."

Ralof nodded knowingly. "Well I will be seeing you then. I think I will be by in a week with Brasella."

Ragnthor nodded. "I will see you in a week then."

They laughed and Ralof turned and walked towards home. Ragnthor then started to build the final room. Within a day he had the walls up and the roof half done. He finished that the next morning. He then cut 2 windows and placed the glass himself. Then he peeled the inside of the logs and oiled them. On a whim he laid a wood floor and made her a bed, shelves and chests, and an armor and weapons rack. He then decorated the room with things he had picked up earlier in town.

By the time he was done the whole room was everything he had hoped it would be. The only thing that stuck out was the back of the chimney, which he had cleaned and dusted. It may have looked like an eyesore but come winter this would be the warmest room in the house. With a fire going the stone would heat up the whole room. With one complete room he decided that it would now be proper to ask his Housecarl to stay here.

He went to the stable and saddled up Ahearn, climbed on then whistled for Slasher and rode towards town.

When he got to the stable he asked if Lydia had been given a horse during her time of service. Learning that she didn't he spent the last of his money on a horse. He left his horse there and then walked into the town.

He stopped and the War Maiden to make some new armor that he kept in his pack, planning on giving it to Lydia when they started their trip to the Throat of the World. He then walked up to Dragonsreach. He finally washed the blood off his face in the stream that ran through town.

When he got to the keep he asked Balgruuf where Lydia was. "She is in her room. Honest to Talos wondering if you are coming back. You have been gone awhile."

Ragnthor nodded. "I have just got done fixing most of the buildings. My friend had to leave early so I had to finish the last room by myself."

Balgruuf nodded. "Before you go, what happened to you nose?"

When he touched it he hardly felt it and wondered if the nerves were dead. That might be a good thing.

"I managed to have a log slip and bash me in the face while building the walls. Now if you excuse me, my Jarl, I shall go and collect my Housecarl."

Balgruuf laughed and hollered as Ragnthor walked away. "Call me Balgruuf. You are a Thane after all." Ragnthor raise his hand in acknowledgment.

When he reached her door he knocked. A voice inside asked "Who is it?"

Ragnthor took off his hat and said "It is Ragnthor, Lydia. I have completed my house and am asking if you would rather make your lodging there so the town doesn't wonder why a Housecarl isn't with their Thane."

She swung the door open and he was scared she would hit him but she just had a bag on her shoulder and looked ready to go. "Lead where you will my Thane."

He reached for her bag and did get hit. He shook his head and motioned for her to follow.

As he passed Balgruuf he said "I will stop by in a week. If you need me before then send a message." Balgruuf nodded. "And watch out for logs while you are out there."

Ragnthor just glazed at him and smiled. Then they walked out the doors. When they reached the stables he told her.

"The second horse is for you. I took the liberty of buying you one so you won't have to run behind me." He swung on Ahearn.

"Let's go. And his is yours, feel free to name him what you wish." He started down the road to home.

Author's note: Round 3, wooo! And Now I have decided the keep the old Author's note sections so here you go. So in order to have the story continue I have to try and write as Lydia for the next chapter. I hope this is the last time, for a long time, I have to do this. From now on their stories happen side by side so if I jump characters it will be during a chapter. Again thank you for reading. If you see things you like point them out. If you see things you hate point those out too. And unless I pull a stupid I shouldn't need to talk again for a long while.