Chapter 5
Dragonborn
They spent the night in Riverwood and Bishop went straight to his room without saying a word or even looking at her. Rona tossed and turned all night, dreams of dragons and strange people shouting at them filled her dreams. There was one person in her dream, however, that really stood out.
She was a beautiful nord woman with waist length flowing black hair and crystal blue eyes. She sang powerful commanding songs which shook the mountains and soared through the skies. She called herself Jillian and she greeted Rona as an old friend, inviting her to come and sing among the dragons, to show them her power.
But before she could go with her Rona was awakened by a knock on her door and the sound of a familiar voice, "You up princess? Time to go."
The first words Bishop had spoken to her since yesterday. He sounded less angry, though still stand-offish. Rona gathered her things and pulled on her boots and met him outside. He was already mounted on the horse and waiting for her, not looking at her at all.
"Come on, we're going to Whiterun to drop off that stone tablet and then we're heading straight to the Rift, let's get moving."
That was it huh? He was already done with her and ready to complete their bargain so he could go on his own way. She took a deep breath and without a word climbed up onto the back of the saddle and gripped his waist again.
They set off and were in Whiterun in less than an hour. As they dismounted Whiskey Rona began to walk up the path and noticed Bishop was hanging back. She looked back at him, "Coming?"
"No, I'll wait here while you finish up. Try to make it quick will you?"
She sighed and hurried up the path alone.
When she arrived in the palace to meet with Farengar she found he was not alone. A hooded woman stood beside him discussing what sounded like important matters related to the dragons.
They leaned over a pile of opened books on a desk, Farengar was tracing a line with his finger and said, "You see? The terminology is clearly First Era or even earlier. I'm convinced this is a copy of a much older text. Perhaps dating to just after the Dragon War. If so, I could use this to cross-reference the names with other later texts."
"Good," the woman replied, "I'm glad you're making progress. My employers are anxious to have some tangible answers."
"Oh, have no fear. The Jarl himself has finally taken an interest, so I'm now able to devote most of my time to this research."
"Time is running, Farengar, don't forget. This isn't some theoretical question. Dragons have come back."
"Yes, yes. Don't worry. Although the chance to see a living dragon up close would be tremendously valuable... Now, let me show you something else I found... very intriguing... I think your employers may be interested as well..."
The woman looked up and saw Rona standing there, patiently waiting for them to finish their discussion. "You have a visitor," she noted, nudging him.
"Hmm?" Farengar looked up from his books, "Ah yes, the Jarl's protégé! Back from Bleak Falls Barrow? You didn't die, it seems."
Rona looked at him open-mouthed then charged over and dropped the stone tablet onto his desk. "Here's your stone," she seethed.
Farengar hardly noticed her temper as his eyes were hungrily taking in his prize, "Ah! The Dragonstone!"
The woman stared at the tablet then glanced at Rona from beneath her hood, "You went into Bleak Falls Barrow and got that? Nice work."
"Yes," agreed Farengar, "Seems you are a cut above the usual brutes the Jarl sends my way. My...associate here will be pleased to see your handiwork. She discovered its location, by means she has so far declined to share with me."
The hooded woman clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Just send me a copy when you've deciphered it."
Rona gave her one more quick once over as she walked away. There was something familiar about her, though Rona couldn't quite put her finger on it. Farengar began rummaging through his cupboards and said, "Yes, now about your pay-"
"FARENGAR!" a woman cried from the foot of the stairs. She came breathlessly sprinting up them. It was the Jarl's Housecarl, Irileth. "Farengar, you need to come at once! A dragon's been sighted nearby!" She looked at Rona and said, "You should come too!"
They went around into the main hall and hiked up another flight of stairs, Farengar remarking, "A dragon! How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?"
"I'd take this a bit more seriously if I were you," Irileth sounded annoyed.
Rona kept up her pace with Irileth and her town guardsmen. She cringed at the fact that Bishop was never going to let her hear the end of this one...he might even give up and leave.
She stopped beside him and caught her breath as the others ran along the path leaving her behind. Bishop was staring off in the distance towards the watch tower. He actually appeared concerned, maybe even anxious.
Then he muttered, "It was a dragon."
"You saw it!?" Rona burst.
He looked down at her and threw his arm out, "Yeah I saw it! It spewed flames all over the field and picked off a couple of guards. Glad you're back, let's get the hell out of here before it comes back."
She knit her brows together, "Aaactuallyyy..."
He glowered at her, "No."
She gave him a weak smile.
"No. No, no, no, no, no," he waved a hand in front of his face then harshly pointed a finger at her, "We are NOT fighting a dragon."
"I told the Jarl I would!" she protested.
"I don't care what you promised the Jarl! We made a deal," he barked.
"I know Bishop but I-"
"NO!" he roared at her and mounted the horse, "We are leaving. Get on."
Rona stood resolute and said, "I'm sorry Bishop. I have to do this!"
Then she took off after the guards.
"DAMNED WOMAN! DON'T EXPECT ME TO WAIT AROUND OR SAVE YOUR ASS THIS TIME!" He fumed and clenched his teeth. Then muttered, "Damn it...damn it, gods be damned this woman is going to get me killed!"
He dismounted Whiskey and ran off after her.
Rona caught up with Irileth and the others as they carefully approached the watch tower, weapons drawn.
A guard came stumbling out of the building stammering, "No! Get back! It's still here somewhere! Hroki and Tor just got grabbed when they tried to make a run for it!"
Irileth barked at him, "Guardsman! What happened here? Where's this dragon? Quickly now!"
"I don't know!" he cried back. A low rumbling roar echoed off the mountains beyond. Everyone looked up to where an enormous dragon flew up over the mountains and high into the sky, setting its sights on them.
"Kynareth save us, here he comes again."
"Here he comes!" Irileth yelled, "Find cover and make every arrow count!"
Rona was enthralled by the creature as it flew over them, roaring loud enough to make the earth rumble.
"Lightfoot!"
Rona turned to see Bishop running over to her, his bow drawn, "So what's your plan you fucking lunatic? How do you plan to fight a dragon!? Well!?"
She withdrew her bow and pointed to the watch tower, "We'll have a better vantage point from up there!"
The dragon bore down on them and roared fire from its throat. They rushed inside the building, the fire narrowly missing them. Bishop smacked at his arm which had lit with a small flame. "Damn it!" he grumbled.
An strange ethereal voice whispered to Rona "Come to me Dragonborn."
A strange light was coming from the landing above, so she climbed the stairs, Bishop following close behind. At the top of the tower she saw the raven haired woman from her dreams. Jillian held a hand out to Rona and spoke gently, "Sing with me Dragonborn."
Rona strode across the roof and took the woman's hand.
"Shit! Here is comes again! Hey Lightfoot! Rona get your bow ready we've..."
She heard Bishop's voice vanishing in the background, just as it did when she stared into the word fus on the wall. A chorus of voices and music rumbled all around her and the words came to her as though she'd known them her entire life.
(The song is Jillian I'd Give My Heart by Within Temptation)
"I've been dreaming for so long,
to find a meaning to understand.
The secret of life,
why am I here to try again?"
Everything became so clear to her then, she felt completely attuned to her surroundings and to her prey.
"Will I always, will you always
see the truth when it stares you in the face?
Will I ever, will I never free myself
by breaking these chains?
I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back, it's my fault.
Your destiny is forlorn,
have to live till it's undone.
I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way."
The dragon was on the ground snapping at the guardsmen. But as Rona's voice grew louder and more powerful it's gaze turned to her. It flapped it's wings casting itself swiftly skyward.
"I've been living for so long,
many seasons have passed me by.
I've seen kingdoms trough ages
rise and fall, I've seen it all.
I've seen the horror, I've seen the wonders
happening just in front of my eyes.
Will I ever, will I never free myself by making it right?
I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back, it's my fault.
Your destiny is forlorn,
have to live till it's undone.
I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way."
Rona poured her heart into the song, drawing power from it and taunting her prey.
The dragon whirled around the tower circling them. It only had eyes for her now and she only had eyes for it. The beast hovered in the air before her, contemplating her before it belched a flurry of flames at her. She sang stronger now, her voice penetrating the blaze and casting them on either side of her.
The dragon stopped and turned its head to peer at her curiously. She stared it down as she sang.
"Jillian our dream ended long ago.
All our stories and all our glory I held so dear.
We won't be together
for ever and ever, no more tears.
I'll always be here til the end."
She breathed deeply and nocked an arrow to her bow as she cried,
"Jilllliiaaaannnnn! Nooo moooore teeeaaars!
Jilllliiaaaannnnn! Nooo moooore teeeaaars!"
A great glowing wind swept up around her and she let her arrow fly. It glowed a pure white as it sped through the air piercing the dragon straight through its heart. The creature seemed to stare at her in disbelief as it fell from the sky and she finished her song.
"I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back, it's my fault.
Your destiny is forlorn,
have to live till it's undone.
I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul.
I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way."
The music and the voices that echoed off the mountains faded and dispersed. Rona fell to her knees, trembling. It felt like her energy had drained completely from her. She looked around and saw Bishop slumped against one of the walls just staring at her.
She clambered to her feet and rushed over to him, "You're hurt!"
"Yeah, just a bit," he admitted through clenched teeth. His left hand was badly burned and parts of his clothing had burned and tore in places. She clutched his hand and whispered an incantation to heal him. It transformed his severe burn into a mild one.
"There," she said, "that should hold you over until we can get a proper potion on it." She looked up at him, he was just staring at her with complete awe. She felt her cheeks burning. "W-what?" she stammered.
"What...are you?" he genuinely asked her.
She said, "Never mind that, we need to get you to an apothecary right away," and she threw his arm over her shoulder to help him stand. Being a foot shorter than him and significantly lighter she wasn't able to support him easily but he stood up with her help and let go. They came down the tower to observe the scene in front of them.
The guardsmen were all around the dragon, muttering to themselves, some looked over and gawked at Rona, making her blush hotly again. Then all of a sudden the creature's body moved, it's flesh started to sear and burn.
The guardsmen yelped and ran away, another cried, "What's it doing!? Watch out!"
The scales on its body dissipated and a flood of wind and light rushed out of the creature and surrounded Rona. She felt strangely warm, her energy returning to her. A single word flit into her mind. Fus...
When it finally stopped one of the guards ran right up to her and gasped, "I can't believe it! You're...Dragonborn!"
Another said, "Dragonborn? What are you talking about?"
A third guard muttered, "That's right! My grandfather used to tell stories about the Dragonborn. Those born with the Dragon Blood in 'em. Like old Tiber Septim himself."
"I never heard of Tiber Septim killing any dragons."
"There weren't any dragons then, idiot. They're just coming back now for the first time in...forever. But the old tales tell of the Dragonborn who could kill dragons and steal their power," the guard looked right at her, "You must be one!"
Rona stammered, "I-er...uh..."
"What do you say Irileth? You're being awfully quiet."
"Come on, Irileth, tell us, do you believe in this Dragonborn business?"
She grumbled at them, "Hmph. Some of you would be better off keeping quiet than flapping your gums on matters you don't know anything about. Here's a dead dragon, and that's something I definitely understand. Now we know we can kill them. But I don't need some mythical Dragonborn. Someone who can put down a dragon is more than enough for me."
"You wouldn't understand, Housecarl. You ain't a nord."
Irileth scoffed offended by his remark, "I've been all across Tamriel. I've seen plenty of things just as outlandish as this. I'd advise you all to trust in the strength of your sword arm over tales and legends."
The guard shook his head and pressed Rona, "If you really are Dragonborn, like the old tales, you ought to be able to Shout. Can you? Have you tried?"
Rona didn't even know where to start. She looked over at Bishop who was holding his hand close to his body. He met her gaze and said, "Go on, try to Shout Ladyship."
The word seemed to pry at her throat. It wanted out, so she took a deep breath, looked to the sky and Shouted, "FUS!"
"That was Shouting, what you just did! Must be. You really are Dragonborn then..."
A crack like thunder shook the world around them and the words, "DOH-VAH-KIIN!" exploded from the mountain beyond the horizon as if in reply to her.
Everyone gasped and turned towards the mountains behind them and one said, "The Throat of the World. That was the call of the Greybeards."
Irileth, ignoring her men, walked right up to Rona to address her directly, "That was the hairiest fight I've ever been in, and I've been in more than a few. I don't know about this Dragonborn business, but I'm sure glad you're with us. You better get back to Whiterun right away. Jarl Balgruuf will want to know what happened here."