Disclaimer: Don't own. Belongs to Bethesda.

A/N: So here we are at the fifth chapter. I'm surprised you've stayed so long. As always, thank you for reviewing. It keeps me going. This chapter is relatively boring and uneventful. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 5

As we stepped off the last bridge on our way to Markarth, I heaved a sigh of relief. Bridges always made me nervous, but only because there was water underneath them. I was sure Silas had noticed my aversion to water, but he had asked no questions. Smart man. I didn't want to have to explain that I couldn't swim and therefore was afraid of water.

The Dragonborn isn't supposed to be afraid of water. The Dragonborn also shouldn't be afraid to follow his or her destiny. Truthfully, I was scared of more things than I should have been. Water, giants, cows, dying, and most of all Alduin. He scared me shitless, and I didn't know how I was supposed to defeat him. He was too powerful. How could I ever win a battle against him?

"Everything okay?" Silas asked, dragging me from my thoughts.

"I'm fine," I replied. I sped up the pace, trying to get to Markarth as fast as possible. For the few minutes it took us to get to the city's walls, Silas was quiet. As we approached the door to the city, the guards opened it and allowed us inside. I nodded in thanks as we passed.

As we stepped into the city, I remembered the long years I had spent here before realizing my destiny as Dragonborn. My parents had been farmers, and sold their crops from a booth just inside the city's walls. Markarth had been my home for as long as I could remember.

"We should probably call it a night," I called over my shoulder. "The blacksmith won't be open until tomorrow morning, and I need Ghorza's help with something. We'll stay at my house here in the city tonight and get a fresh start tomorrow."

I looked back to see if Silas was listening, only to find him looking around at everything with wide, awe filled eyes. I crossed my arms, a slight smile working its way onto my face. I was content to stand for a few moments and watch him as he marveled at his surroundings.

"You've never been here before, have you?" I asked him. He glanced at me and shook his head. "Well, it looks much better in the daylight. Care to join me?" I asked, turning to walk away.

He followed reluctantly as I led him up sets of stairs and beside waterfalls. After climbing a few more steps, we reached our destination.

"Vlindrel Hall," I announced grandly. "I bought it not too long ago. Cost me a pretty penny, but it's worth it," I said, opening the door.

We stepped into the entrance hall, and I led the way into the main room, through the dining room, and into the master bedroom. I pulled my armor off and arranged it on the chest at the end of the bed, then went to the wardrobe to find something comfortable to sleep in.

"Do you want something else to wear?" I asked Silas as I pulled out articles of clothing and laid them out on the bed. I looked over at him, taking in the worn leather armor he wore, and went to search the wardrobe again. I searched for something to fit him, and finally found what I had been looking for.

"Here you go," I said, handing him a plain black shirt and pair of pants. He took the items carefully, like they would fall to pieces in his hands. "Go on," I shooed him. "You can change in one of the other rooms and leave your stuff wherever you like."

I turned back to the pile of clothes on the bed, trying to find something to wear. I finally chose a simple off-white, baggy shirt and a pair of soft brown pants. The soft cloth felt so much better against my skin than the rough tunic I wore beneath my armor.

Silas returned moments later, looking slightly uncomfortable but attractive in the all-black ensemble I had given him. "So I was looking around, and just thought you should know that there's some guy sleeping in a cot over there," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder to indicate where 'over there' was.

"That's Argis, my housecarl. Nothing to worry about," I reassured him.

"I see. I also noticed that you only have two beds here. One is currently being used by your housecarl," he gave me a pointed look. "So where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Oh, ummm," I hadn't thought about that. I didn't feel too tired because I had slept half the day away, and I also didn't really want to sleep. Remnants of the nightmare still tugged at my mind, and I didn't want to repeat that anytime soon. "You can take the bed, Silas. I'm not that tired."

"So you're not going to sleep?" he asked. I snorted.

"I need to read up on something, so don't worry about it." He gave me a skeptical look, but didn't argue. I returned the unused clothes to their rightful place, bid Silas goodnight, and left. Entering the main room, I padded on bare feet over to the bookshelf, trying to find something interesting to read.

After perusing for a few minutes, I decided on Olaf and the Dragon. I buried my nose in the ancient lore, reading of Olaf One-Eye and the dragon Numinex, and the night passed, quiet and uneventful.