Hey Guys, Sorry about the slowness in updating but please note I have not abandoned this story, I write in spurts and I like to have several chapters written before I will publish the next story. I do this so I can change chapters if I feel the writing in them needs it before I publish them so I am not reediting already publish chapters too much.
I have decided to rename this story from 'Love will Flourish and Grow, even in the Darkest of times' to 'A Dragonborn's Family Adventures' this is because I felt this new name suites the way the story is going to go better, (Not that the old one didn't fit).
Please let me know what you think. All constructive feedback is welcome.
"Wait!" Ralof said to Edwin as he held her back in the entrance to the cave they just came out of. "There he goes. Looks like he's gone for good this time."
Edwin paused and looked up to where Ralof was looking sure enough the dragon flew over their head away from Helgan. Edwin bit her lip as she watched the dragon fly off into the distance, "There is no way to know for sure if anyone else made it out alive… We should get moving just in case it is not safe around here yet." Edwin told Ralof looking at him still in his Stormcloak clothes and not knowing if they were in friendly territory or not.
Ralof nodded his head, "You are right; we will head to Riverwood. My sister, Gerdur runs the mill there, and seeing it is in Whiterun's jurisdiction, it is not under Imperial control, yet…" Noticing Edwin's confused look, "Whiterun is neutral territory at the moment, as the Jarl hasn't picked a side. We will be safe there." Edwin nodded her head and they set off down the road to Riverwood.
They walked in silence for a while before Ralof's curiosity got the better of him, "So Edwin, may I ask what your connection to Jarl Ulfric and General Shadow-Oak is." Edwin hesitate for a moment as she studied him, as she did she noticed that there was no sign of any other than curiosity.
"William, General Shadow-Oak, is my brother… Ulfric is a little more complicated." Edwin responded, when she didn't elaborate any more Ralof decided to let it go for now. As they entered Riverwood, Ralof turned to Edwin, "Looks like nobody here knows what happened yet. Come on. Gerdur's probably working in her lumber mill." Edwin followed Ralof as he crossed the bridge to walk to the mill that towered to one side of the town.
As they came round the corner Ralof noticed his sister leaning against the fence looking out at the river that ran past the town. "Gerdur," Ralof called out as he walked up to his sister, "It is good to see you."
"Ralof? What are you doing here? We heard that Ulfric had been captured at Darkwater Crossing..."
"Gerdur, I am fine at least now I am. Do you have somewhere we can talk? There's no telling when the news from Helgen will reach the Imperials and we are not far away from their territory."
Gerdur nodded looking curious at the women that was standing not far behind Ralof. "Helgen? Has something happened...?" She paused for a moment before she started to walk to the other side of the mill, "You're right though… follow me there is a quiet corner over here where we can talk," when they got beside the lumber pile, Gerdur turned towards the mill, "Hod! Come here a minute. I need your help with something."
"What is it? Sven drunk on the job again?" Hod yelled from the top of the mill.
"Hod, just come here." Gerdur huffed back at the man as he came into view at the top of the mill. "Ralof! What are you doing here? I'll be right down."
They kept walking past the mill until they came where there was a sitting area beside the river, yet hidden from the towns view. As Hod was walking over, a young boy ran up to them with a dog in tow, "Uncle Ralof!" He yelled as he hugged Ralof, "Can I see your axe? How many Imperials have you killed? Do you really know Ulfric Stormcloak?"
"Hush, Frodnar. I need you to go and watch the south road." Gerdur said to her son, before Ralof could respond.
"Aw, mama, I wanna stay and talk with Uncle Ralof!"
Ralof laughed, as he ruffled Frodner's hair, "Look at you, almost a grown man! Won't be very long before you'll be joining the fight yourself. But right now I need you to watch my back by following you mothers advice. Could you do that for me?" Frodner smiled at what Ralof said, he then turned and ran back towards town to do what his mum asked, with his dog following him. As Hod came closer, Edwin turned to Gerdur, "You have a beautiful child there. I am Edwin, it is good to meet you."
Gerdur shook Edwin's hand, "It is nice to meet you, any friend of Ralof is a friend of mine," Turning to Ralof as Hod came to where they were sitting, "Now, Ralof, what's going on?"
Ralof ran his fingers through his hair before he responded, "Where to start? Well, the news you heard about Ulfric was true. The Imperials ambushed us at Darkwater Crossing. Like they knew exactly where we'd be... We were taken to Helgen, and I thought it was all over. Had us lined up to the headsman's block and ready to start chopping." He paused as he shook his head, think what they had been through to get to where they were now. "They wouldn't dare give Ulfric a fair trial. Treason, for fighting for your own people! All of Skyrim would've seen the truth then. But then as they were chopping our heads off, out of nowhere...a dragon attacked!" Gerdur and Hod's eyes went wide at that, "What? You don't mean a real live…"
Ralof and Edwin both nodded, "I can hardly believe it myself, and I was there. As strange as it sounds, we'd be dead if not for that dragon. In the confusion, we managed to slip away. Are we really the first to make it to Riverwood?" Ralof said as he looked at his sister.
"Yes, no one has come down from Helgan today. Right now you both look like you need to rest." Gerdur paused, before turning to Edwin, "Thank you for seeing my brother here safe. Feel free to rest before you head off… But I would ask a favour if that's alright… The Jarl needs to know what has happened, especially as the dragon was last seen not far from here; would it be possible for you to take a message to him for me?"
Edwin nodded her head, "Of course I will head off this afternoon." Ralof stood up, "I will escort you. I saw that you are special to Jarl Ulfric, so I will accompany you until we can head to Windhelm." Edwin shook her head, "Ralof you look exhausted. Stay here, sleep I will go straight to Whiterun deliver the message and then will be back here by tomorrow at the latest. I won't take no for an answer." Ralof saw the look in Edwin's eyes and knew he couldn't ague with her. "Fine. But if you are not back by midday I will come to find you at Whiterun." Edwin smiled. They began walking to Gerdur and Hod's house to get some food before Edwin headed off for Whiterun.
As Edwin approached Whiterun, she heard a noise off to the road. Edwin decided to go and have a closer look; as she got closer Edwin saw a group of people fighting a giant near a farm. Edwin pulled her war axe of its belt hold and rushed in to help them, not caring she was only in a dress.
Once Edwin helped them take the giant down, the only female in the group came up to her. "Thank you for your help, you would make a good companion. I am Aela." She said to Edwin, "I'm Edwin. I was happy to help; I heard the commotion as I passed on my way to Whiterun."
"We are from Whiterun; now the giant is taken care of we are on our way back to town. Why don't you walk with us?" Aela said to Edwin, Edwin smiled as she nodded yes.
As they approached the gate a guard was standing outside. The guard saw the companions and Edwin approach, "Halt! Companions you may enter as I was aware you were outside. But I am sorry, the lady with you cannot enter, by order of the Jarl none except those that live in the city may enter after night fall."
Edwin raised an eyebrow at that, "Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid."
This caused the guard to pause, "Riverwood's in danger, too? You better go on in. You'll find the Jarl at Dragonsreach." Edwin bowed her head in thanks to the guard as she and the companions entered the town.
Edwin walked with the companions until they reached the centre of the town, "This is where we part, if you decide to join the companions, we are just up here at Jorrvaskr hall." With that they parted as Edwin headed up to the Dragonsreach.
As Edwin entered Dragonsreach she could hear the Jarl arguing with the Steward about something. As Edwin got closer, they spotted her walking towards them a Dunmer (Dark Elf) came running down the steps at her with a sword drawn. "What's the meaning of this interruption? Who are you? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving any visitors at the moment."
"I am Edwin and I bring a message to the Jarl. Riverwood calls for the Jarls aid; as a dragon has attacked Helgan and was last seen heading this way." Edwin declared to the Dunmer.
"I am Irileth. Jarl Balgruuf's House Carl, it is my job to deal with all dangers that Jarl or his people. As you mentioned Helgan, you may approach the Jarl" With that Irileth side stepped so that Edwin could approach.
As Edwin walked up to where Jarl Balgruuf was sitting, she bowed to show her respect for him, "What's this about Riverwood being in danger? And you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?"
"Yes, my Jarl. A Dragon attacked Helgan, we barely managed to escape. When I arrived at Helgan, I met with Gerdur who asked me to come and inform you as I last saw the dragon heading this way."
"Gerdur? Owns the lumber mill, if I'm not mistaken... Pillar of the community. Certainly not prone to flights of fancy..." Balgruuf then turn to his steward, "What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"
Before Proventus could respond, Irileth spoke, "My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger and currently unprotected. If there is any chance that dragon is lurking in the mountains..." The rest was left unsaid.
"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him! We should not…"
"Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." Balgruuf said as he frown at Proventus. With that both Irileth and Proventus knew they were dismissed so they bowed and left to complete their tasks. Jarl Balgruuf stood and walked towards Edwin, "You've done Whiterun a great service, and I won't forget it. But there is another thing you could do for me, suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and... Rumours of dragons. I believe he is after someone to help him with a special task."
The Jarl lead Edwin to a room off the side that was set up as a court wizard's place of work. "Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill her in with all the details." With that the Jarl turned and walked away. Looking up Farengar studied Edwin. Edwin realised that she was still dress in nothing but her pilgrim dress with a war axe strapped to her side. "So the Jarl thinks you can be of use to me? Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons. I could use someone to fetch something for me. Well, when I say fetch, I mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there."
Edwin just smiled, "Where am I heading?"