Chapter 6

Ragnthor

It wasn't too much longer before they reached the house. When they got there Ragnthor asked them to go in the house while he put the cow and horses away. He let them out in the west field. Ralof followed.

"So you're really turning into a farmer. I figured a man with as much battle experience as you would find it hard to sit at home and run a farm. It would seem a man like you should be on the battle field."

Ragnthor sighed. "Its battle that makes me want to do this. I have seen powerful warriors lose sight of what really matters, life beyond the sword and axe. I feel old Ralof. I have brought death to many families and have been brought to the gates of Sovengarde more times than I have years. I don't want to rot on some battlefield. I want a family. And I came home for just that. It's just bad luck that I come home during a gods damned civil war and am Dragonborn. I will fight for my country and I will try and solve this dragon problem. But if I live I will be done. I will train my sons should I have them and protect my land but that is all."

Ralof put his hand on Ragnthor's shoulder. "Surly it's not that bad."

Ragnthor looked at him with eyes filled with soul deep tiredness. "How many men and women have you killed Ralof? It takes its toll. I have left a trail of weeping mothers and wives and heartbroken sweethearts. I have killed enough Ralof. You will see it my way after this war. How many men will you kill to keep the empire strong? Is the reward going to outweigh the cost? For me it is. But no longer. I will use what I know to save this land but then I am done." He tried to shake off the feeling but wasn't able to.

He forced a smile. "Now let's go inside and get warm. Maybe the girls have started to cook something."

Ralof laughed. "Not likely. Brasella shuns housework and she might be teaching Lydia a few things." Ragnthor laughed and they walked to the house.

When they got in the house there was not food. Lydia and Brasella where sitting at the table talking. When they noticed the men the stopped. Brasella smile at Ragnthor.

"Lydia says that you are a good cook. It was a long day of travel so how about you cook your best dish."

Ragnthor laughed. "Well I did buy some grain in the store today. Porridge it is!" Brasella got a look of shock on her face.

She turned and punched Lydia. "You said he was a good cook."

Lydia's smile was so sweet Ragnthor knew something was off. "He is, I think. But all he cooks is porridge. We have had it 6 days in a row." Brasella looked still looked shocked.

Lydia looked at him and said "Ragnthor, why don't you cook use some venison. If memory recalls it was ok."

Ragnthor made a point to bow. "Then venison you shall have. Would you mind making a fire while I go down and get the meat?" Lydia nodded and Ragnthor went down into the cellar and cut down a few steaks.

I need to thank Lydia for moving this down here. Without her it would have spoiled.

When he got back up he saw that his skillet as already there. He slapped the first steak on and went to his pack and pulled out a few herbs and his last bottle of mead. He threw these in the skillet as well. It took almost an hour but he got them all cooked. As they sat down to eat Ralof struck up a conversation. And was blunt, far blunter than was prudent.

"Brasella, I am going to Solitude with Ragnthor to join the Legion and I would like you to come with us."

She almost spat out her food. "What! Turn my back on a cause that you and I have been fighting for. Why?"

Ragnthor put down his fork and looked at her. "For Skyrim."

Brasella's eyes looked ready to spit venom and Lydia's weren't any nicer. "Why should Skyrim be a part of the empire?"

Ragnthor kept his voice calm. "Because Skyrim has always been part of the Empire, at least since the 3rd era. Where was Tiber Septim from? Who has always been a large part of the Empire's Legions? Who is the backbone of the Empire? Skyrim."

Brasella calmed slightly but Lydia still looked fierce. "But why should we stay in an Empire that signed away one of its Gods, Talos, because of a war?"

Ragnthor sensed a shift in the mode and pushed, hoping he was right. "Titus Mede did it to save the empire and recover. The tensions felt in Skyrim are nothing compared to the rest of the Empire. Any small thing could send the fragile peace into another war. And we are weak. And if Skyrim leaves and takes her men the Empire will be even weaker."

Brasella nodded and Lydia calmed a little. "Why should Skyrim stay in a weak empire that only bleeds her dry?"

Ragnthor replied in a quiet voice. "Because if we leave, neither of us has a chance. Skyrim is not strong enough on her own to fend off the Almeri Dominion let alone beat it. Because if we do break away then we will be sore and licking our wounds. The elves would be on us like wolves on a wounded deer. And we are the backbone of all that we know. If we left, all that would change. The world is watching what we doing. Will we destroy all we know for a moment of freedom or stand strong and honor Talos by beating the elves and allowing all free people to worship him? I have made my choice."

Brasella and Lydia looked deep in though. "I will serve to Empire. If we can beat the elves then we can have our god back."

Lydia though for a moment longer. "I will follow were you lead for you are my Thane. And it appears that you have the wisdom and foresight the think this through."

Ragnthor nodded and mouthed thank you and Lydia nodded back.

They ate the rest of the meal in silence. When they were done they said there goodnights.

"Ralof and Brasella, your beds are down the hall. Have a goodnights sleep."

He walked with Lydia to her door. "I'm sorry for just throwing that out. I should have brought it up this week. There was just never a good time. Sleep well. I think we shall leave to speak with the Grey Beards tomorrow."

She nodded and then shut the door. Ragnthor went outside and went to sleep.

It was a cold night. When Ragnthor woke he could feel the chill in the air and knew that winter was only a short while a way. He walked over to the well and hauled 4 or 5 buckets of water for the horses then caught the cow.

She was almost dry but would still give milk for a week or so then he would need to get his hands on a bull. As he sat there milking he though back on what had brought him home and it wasn't much. He had just gotten tired of being the only Nord away from home. After 8 years it had worn him down.

And he had wanted to see Lydia again. He had left Morrowind about 3 weeks after almost touching the gates of Sovengarde and that was close enough for him. He wanted to see the only person he cared about, the only woman who ever crossed his mind.

He shook his head as he finished milking. The sun was just barely peeking over the mountains when he walked in the door. He walked quietly over to the fireplace and started a fire. He then got his skillet and pot down and started making food. Lydia came out soon after he started and knelt down to help him.

"What are we making?"

Ragnthor looked and smiled "Porridge." Lydia hit him hard in the shoulder. "And some kind of thin sliced meat I got from the Khajiit traders. It's from an animal that only lives in warmer regions. If you like it I will get more the next time I see a trader caravan."

He put some of the meat in the skillet and it started to sizzle. Soon a lovely smell filled the house. A little while later Ralof and Brasella came down the stairs.

Ralof sniffed and asked "What's for breakfast?"

Ragnthor laughed "Well you heard Lydia tell you all I can cook."

The color drained out of Ralof face. "Not porridge again. That's all you made when we built the house."

Ragnthor smiled "I also made some meat."

Ralof sighed in relieve. "Talos be praised." And then he and Brasella sat down.

Soon all the food was on the table and they started to eat. "So Ralof, would you like to watch the house for a while? I think I have left the Grey Beards waiting long enough. After I get back we can all go to Solitude. I will be gone for a little over a week. I should be able to reach Ivarstead in 3 days which, leaving 2 days on the mountain, gives 8 days of travel. If I can fly like the wind."

Ralof nodded. "Of course I can do that. And to tell the truth I don't want to face Hadvar alone."

Ragnthor nodded. "Of course. And I understand the feeling. Now while I'm gone I would like the east field cut. It should be dry enough to stack when me and Lydia get back. And the cow will need to be milk, she won't give too much, but it's all yours."

Ralof huffed "Offer to do a man a favor and he sticks you with all the work."

Ragnthor shook his head. "It's not like that. I just jumped into farming faster than I should have. When the war is over I will help you all I can."

Ralof smiled "I'm just giving you a hard time. You're like a brother to me."

Ragnthor was relieved. "Thank you. And that means we will be able to leave very soon. I just have one thing to do."

He walked over to his pack and pulled out something. He walked over to Lydia and put a package in front of her.

"This is for you."

Lydia looked at him with cold eyes and opened it. She gasped when she saw what it was. It was the best set of armor she had ever seen. It was gracefully formed and shined wonderfully but the weight, joints and feel told that it would shelter her from all but the most powerful blows.

"You deserve nothing but the best. I was unable to get a sword and shield to match it yet."

She looked at him with eyes softer than he had even seen them. From mountain to light steel.

"Thank you Ragnthor. I don't know what to say."

Ragnthor smiled at her. "Don't say a thing. We will leave as soon as you put it on." She smiled and nodded and went to her room.

As Ragnthor sat down Ralof asked "Did you make that? If so you are a master of your craft."

Ragnthor nodded "Aye I did. I made it the day I went to take her here to the farm. It was by far the best armor I have ever made. And I was unable to make a sword and shield because I ran out of the metal. I placed an order with a Khajiit caravan but they won't be here until spring. Only the Orcs make the quality of metal need for something of that perfection. I just need her to be safe."

Ralof and Brasella laughed. "You truly are a love struck fool."

Brasella smiled sweetly. "If only I could find a man like that. It seems all the ones I know are taken." Ralof huffed and scowled while Ragnthor and Brasella laughed.

Lydia

Lydia was overjoyed to have such good armor that she almost missed the message it sent. She took care in putting it on and it fit like a glove. She belted on her sword and picked up her shield. She then walked out of her room.

As she sat down on the table Ragnthor was looking at her with eyes she hadn't seen in years and she felt something deep inside but didn't know what it was. It's not that men hadn't looked at her before but she hadn't really cared, mostly because of Ragnthor.

They talked for awhile longer about the farm then Ragnthor nodded at her. They all stood and shook hands.

"Ralof again, thank you. I owe you big for this. We should be home in 8 days."

Ralof nodded "Stay safe out there brother and when you come back we shall make Talos proud."

Ragnthor and Lydia walked outside, caught their horses and saddled them then rode off toward Riverwood. They pushed their horses hard for a few miles then settled down to a ground covering trot. Slasher ran ahead looking like he was scouting the way ahead.

They reached Riverwood around nightfall due to their late start. They left their horses tied to Gerdur's fence. Lydia stood at the gate while Ragnthor went to talk to Gerdur. It felt good to act as a Housecarl should. After a few minutes Ragnthor called her over. As she approach he handed Gerdur a large bag of gold.

"This should pay for the lumber correct."

Gerdur looked shocked "I said you could pay me next fall."

Ragnthor smiled. "I don't think I will be home enough to grow crops. There is a war to win and dragons harassing the land. This is no time to become a farmer."

Gerdur nodded "Where are you two staying tonight because we would love to have you here."

Ragnthor shook his head. "We are staying in the Sleeping Giant. I still have enough gold for that. Besides, you don't have a bed for Lydia between you, Hod and Frodnar. How is Frodnar by the way?"

Gerdur smiled "He is good. He has taken to seeing Alvor's little girl, Dorthe. They are getting along well. I was worried when Frodnar didn't like any of the girls around. He is 15 after all." They all laughed at that.

The talked for a little while then Ragnthor excused them and they made their way to the inn. He paid the barkeep for 2 rooms and dinner.

As they sat down and waited for the food he asked "Do you like the armor, does it fit ok?"

Lydia smiled. "I love it. It is much better than my old armor. Who did you know what size to get it in?"

Ragnthor gave a strange smile "Let's just say I have picked up and eye for armor in my travels."

Soon the food arrived and they torn into it. "So how does this stack up to my cooking?"

Lydia laughed. "It blows it away."

Ragnthor scowled. "Well it looks like someone get to cook more of the meals then."

Lydia stopped laughing and glared at him. "Fine, fine. We will stop at more inns on the way. If we push hard we should make Falkreath by dark tomorrow. Now let's go get some sleep."

They stood and Ragnthor walked her to her door and told her goodnight. She said the same and then closed her door, took off her armor and went to sleep.

Lydia woke early the next morning. She hurried to put on her armor and sword the walked out of the room. Ragnthor was there talking to Hod, looking strange, almost world weary. As soon as he saw her he perked up and smiled. She sat down and started to eat.

"Hod here was telling me that there have been bandits spotted all along the road to Falkreath, most likely picking the scraps of Helgen. We should be safe though, it looks like they only target small unarmed groups."

Lydia stopped eating and looked at him with a fire blazing in her eyes. "If we see them, we stop them. As a guard I was taught never to spare the live of one who targets the weak."

Ragnthor nodded. "I agree. I was just….never mind. As soon as we finish eating we should go. The sooner we make Falkreath the better. The road from Falkreath to Ivarstead goes over a high mountain pass that can be bad to cross." She nodded. "Hod, if you would like to stay and eat we would be welcome to have you."

Hod laughed and shook his head. "No, we have a large order of logs that need split and I don't want Gerdur to catch me slacking. She may be lovely on the eyes but you get her made and even a dragon would be scared. It was good catching up the Ragnthor." He stood and walked out the door.

Soon they had finished their food. Slasher was waiting for them by the horses. Ragnthor knelt down and played with him for a while then untied his horse and swung on. Lydia did the same. They walked out of town them put their horses in a trot.

They road in silence for a few hours, mostly because it's hard to talk while bouncing on a horse and partly because Lydia have never been to this part of Skyrim before and was awestruck by the tall trees that were everywhere. She thought it was beautiful. That beauty was soon shattered.

They came across a large group of bandits attacking a caravan. Ragnthor slammed his heels into Ahearn and charged up on them, Lydia followed closely.

He pulled his horse into a sliding stop in front of the bandits and yelled "Dropped Your Weapons And You Will Leave Here Alive!" A bandit laughed and charged him.

All of a sudden Ahearn reared and knocked the woman's weapon away with his flailing hooves. The woman fell and Ahearn's forelegs plunged down savagely as Ragnthor threw his sword into the closest bandit. Slasher finished that one.

Lydia was off her horse in a flash. She circled around and tore into the bandits flank. She quickly took down 2 of them. The third had a battleaxe. Lydia barely managed to block the blow with her shield. As he tried to swing again she slammed her shield into his chest and while he was off balance took him through the heart. She saw one with a bow and charged, knocking him down and driving her sword through his chest. As she was finishing him she heard a grunt and was hit in the side by a battleaxe. The force knocked her down. As the woman prepared to swing again she heard Ragnthor roar "SLASHER! LYDIA!" and she saw the huge dog fly over her and knock down the bandit. She quickly got up and turned so she didn't see what Slasher was doing. She took down 2 more bandits that were closing on Ragnthor. She then watched as Ragnthor fought the chief.

They were both using great swords and moving with a blur of motion. The battle soon slowed and they stood circling each other. Suddenly the bandit lunged and there was the sound of a sword breaking and then Ragnthor ran his sword through the bandit. He reached out a hand and pulled the man close and whispered something to him then shoved him off the sword. Ragnthor pulled out a cloth and wiped his blade. He then searched the bandits bodied for valuables. As he did so he muttered something over them and closed their eyes. He walked over Lydia with worry in his eyes.

"Are you ok?"

Lydia nodded and the worry left his face. "Yes. The armor stopped the blow and it hardly even has a dent."

He nodded and went to catch the horses. He checked Ahearn's hooves for cuts and healed a few. Ahearn put his head over Ragnthor's shoulder.

"Yes you did very good boy. I might even break out the oats you have been packing." Ahearn turned his head and looked at his pack as Ragnthor laughed.

"How is your horse Lydia?"

She looked him over "He is fine."

Ragnthor nodded and swung on his horse "Good. Let's push hard for a while. Falkreath is only a few hours away." They rode off down the road.

A few hours later they were riding into Falkreath. They rode through town looking for a place to keep their horses. They had to settle for tying them up outside of town. Ragnthor told Slasher to guard the horses and then they walked back to the inn. Lydia sat down while Ragnthor went to rent rooms and buy food. Soon he came back and a short while later they were eat dinner.

The fight had sapped there urge to talk so they went through the meal in silence. When they were done Ragnthor walked her to her room. He told her goodnight and turned and sat done at the bar. She shut her door and took off her armor. She sat on her bed and wondered what he had said over the bandits.

Probably giving them last rights.

She was then stuck with a realization. Ragnthor had save her life today. Not once but twice. He had given her, and mostly likely made giving how Ralof had looked at it, her armor which had stopped the axe from even really wounding her. And he had sent Slasher to stop the bandit from giving a finishing blow.

She was grateful though it was tempered by the fact that every animal he seemed to own was violent. She had never seen a horse act like that before.

She shook her head to clear the dark thoughts from her mind. She slipped under the covers and went to sleep.

Ragnthor

Ragnthor slept outside with the horses for 2 reasons. He didn't know anybody in town and didn't trust people he didn't know, and there was only one room in the inn and he knew that Lydia would insist on not sleeping in a bed while he didn't so he didn't tell her. It wasn't a bad night.

Sure Falkreath was backed up against a mountain and was higher than Whiterun but the trees made it so the wind didn't blow at all. He woke before dawn and walked over to the graveyard. He found the graves of his brother, father and mother. He knelt down by his brother's and offered a prayer for him.

He wished him well in the afterlife and apologized for not being there to send him away. Walked over to his mothers and laid a bound of her favorite wild flower on it. He then walked over to his fathers.

"Well dad. I hope I have made you proud. It has been a long time since I have been home and it was your teaching that started me on this path. And I think it is in the last stretch. Even if nothing goes my way from here on out and I die all alone in some forest, at least I died here, at home, in Skyrim."

He wiped the tears that were forming in his eyes and walked to the inn. When he walked in Lydia was sitting at the table not even touching the breakfast in front of her. She turned when the door shut and relieve trickled into her face.

When he sat down she asked "Where were you?"

He looked at her. "I was visiting my family's graves. They were all buried here. I haven't been home in years and I wanted to see them again." He shook his head and asked "So what are we having for breakfast?"

She gave a wicked little smile and said "Porridge."

He threw his hands in the air. "Ok, I get the point. I will never make porridge again." She laughed until the porridge came.

They ate as fast as they could and then they walked out and saddled their horses. Ragnthor whistled for Slasher and they rode off down the road to Ivarstead.

Author's note: I finished Round 6 and righted yet another wrong. Though If the next chapter doesn't already have one of these I might opt out.