Location: Throat of the World
26th of Rain's Hand
3:13pm

"Ugh…" Kayleigh mumbled as her vision returned to her, and she slowly lifted her face from the snow. She shook her head, trying to fling the snow away. "Face first… Face first into the ground. Again!" Getting up to her feet, she pushed her dark auburn hair back and looked up…

There must have been at least six different dragons surrounding her. Possibly more.

Stunned with fear, she fell back on her back and scurried backwards until her back connected with the Word Wall. "No, no, no, no!"

The six dragons then stretched their necks out to the grey skies, and bellowed, "Alduin mahlaan!"

"Huh?" The erratic beating of her heart started to settle when she realized that none of them were attacking her at all. They seemed subtle and calm.

"Sahrot thur qahnaraan." One of the many dragons said to Kayleigh, before taking flight and breathing fire at the skies.

"… Huh?"

"Alduin mahlaan!" The rest of them repeated one last time, before taking flight and breathing fire and frost, decorating the cloudy skies of Skyrim.

Kayleigh watched each and every dragon in utter confusion. They're not attacking me. I mean, that's great and all, but then... what are they up to?

She caught head glimpse of a figure to her right sustained a mini shock: Paarthurnax revealed himself to her, having been sitting on his Word Wall all this time. He had stuck his neck out to her, to offer a hand (or horn) in help her up to her feet. Kayleigh did just that: she held onto his horns and got to her feet, casting the snow of her skin and studded armor.

"So… it is done. Alduin dilon," Much to her puzzlement, he sounded disappointed. Forlorn, even. "The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been."

"You don't… sound very happy about it,"

"Happy? No. I am not happy. Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu. Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation."

"Even so, I did what was expected of me. He needed to die." She said, acknowledging her destiny and what Akatosh had bestowed upon her.

"Indeed," He agreed with her without any reluctance. "Alduin had flown far from the path of right action in his pahlok – the arrogance of his power. Yet, I cannot celebrate his downfall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok ma. He was… my brother once. This world would never be the same."

Paarthurnax was heartbroken. She could sense the dejection in his deep and solid voice. This was making her feel… a little guilty. Impulsively, she sat a hand on his wing and looked at him with saddened eyes. "He was your brother, yes. It's alright for you to be upset over his death. But you have to admit: this world is a much better place without his terror. I was just doing what I had to do."

"Indeed, Dovahkiin. You saw that more clearly than I – certainly more clearly than Alduin. Rok funta koraav," He gazed at her hand that was touching his tattered wing. "Perhaps now you have insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid – the currents of time," He then looked at her and she could swear that there was a smile in his eyes. "Perhaps… you begin to see the world as a Dovah."

She grinned widely at him. "Now that would be nice."

"Ah, but I forget myself., He shook his head slightly. "Krosis. So los mid fahdon. Melancholy is an easy trap for a Dovah to fall into.

She laughed out loud this time, remembering the first time they had met and how he had apologized for the same thing.

"You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah – one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savor it, Dovahkiin. You have earned it."

"I will. What about you? What will you do now?"

He looked up to the darkened skies that were gradually fading to nothing and letting the Sun pass through. "Many of the dovahhe are now scattered across Keizaal. Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen – the rightness of my Thu'um."

She had to agree there. "Entirely possible," She looked up at the skies as well. "You think all these dragons can fit on this mountain?" When she did not get a reply, she realized he was staring at her with a confused look on his face. "What? I mean, if they were to follow your path, you would… train them… here… right?" She did not like where this was going. "Right?"

"They are scattered all over, Dovahkiin," He said. "They need a Voice to guide them."

"So... you're leaving?"

"Dovahkiin-"

"You can't leave!" Paarthurnax watched as the Dragonborn protested like a human child. "I won't let you!"

"Do I have an effect on you, Dovahkiin?" He asked causally.

"Yes! I mean, no. I mean- Not in that way!" She was mixing up her words, so she stopped to momentarily collect her thoughts and state her case. "Paarthurnax, you can't leave. I– I need guidance in understanding the Thu'um further; the kind of guidance only the master can give! You're one of the main reasons why I'm still here, standing here in the Throat of the World, before you! How can you just leave me like that?"

"I was not leaving you, Dovahkiin-"

She folded her arms cross her chest and huffed. "Yeah, right…" She looked away in annoyance.

"You seem upset." He concluded. "I can only imagine what you would have done to me if you had been a female Dovah."

"Believe me, I can STILL roast your behind…"

He gave a low chuckle, amused by her, as he had always been. "I will not leave."

She looked at him again.

"You are right. The other Dovah can hear my Thu'um from here. It is not necessary for me to leave the Greybeards… or you."

'No, it isn't," She unhooked her arms. "I apologize. I didn't mean to be… cruel."

"You were not, Dovahkiin. I understand." How could he refuse the Dragonborn if all she wanted was her friends to be close by?

"Good. And don't worry about tiinvaak-ing with a someone. That's what I'm here for." She said with a grin.

Paarthurnax leaned his head in and Kayleigh was more than happy to give him (or rather his chin) the biggest Dovah-hug she had. She was glad that she now had a friend close by, guiding her when needed. That was the price for being Kayleigh's friend: you weren't allowed to leave.

The ground suddenly shook, as if someone one something landed on the top of the Throat of the World. Kayleigh turned around to see Odahviing. He looked rather satisfied. "Hunter. So, who's return were you really expecting?"

"Hin. Yours." He simply answered.

She faked a laugh. "Dreh ni ok (Do not lie)."

"Hm. As I said when you captured me, Dovahkiin, I am no liar. I was indeed waiting for your return and yours alone."

"You had that much faith in me?"

"More than you will never know, Brit bron. You have proven your mastery twice over. Thuri. I gladly acknowledge the power of your Thu'um." He lowered his head, as a form of a bow.

"Thank you so much, Hunter!" She giggled.

"And as for me: Zu'u Odahviing. Call me when you have need. And I will come, if I can. But for you, I will certainly come." He pledged.

"For me? So… I just have to call you, and you will answer? This is amazing, Hunter! Thank you!" She said to him gratefully.

"Climb on my neck, Brit bron. I am sure you wish to return home to… Windhelm, was it?"

"Yes it is."

"Then let us catch the wind. I will take you home myself." He offered to her, lowering his neck. "Brit bron?"

She grinned and climbed onto his neck, using his horns as steps. "You continue with 'brit bron' any longer and I might just wish I was a female Dovah."