A/N: Woo! Two chapters in one day. Trying to make up for lost time. Sorry they're so short. :/ as always, enjoy! :D

Chapter 17

Night was falling, but as tired as I was I knew we had to move on. We had been in the clearing for too long, and it made me nervous. Silas had drifted off, his copper colored scales glinting in the sunlight with each breath he took. The black patches on the thin membranes of his wings contrasted sharply with the pale green of the grass.

Jala stood under a tree, dozing in the shade. I had checked her leg and found her to be sound, but was still apprehensive about riding her. The light filtering through the leaves created a gray and white dapple on her piebald coat.

They were so peaceful looking; I didn't want to disturb them, but I was restless and worried. I feared that the townspeople would find us and try to take Silas away from me. I wanted to get moving as soon as possible, but didn't know which path would be the best to take.

I wanted to help Silas, but the only place I could think to take him was the Throat of the World. To Paarthurnax. It was quite a distance away, and if I was going to ride Jala the entire way, it might take a week and a half if we traveled quickly and only stopped to sleep. Jala would be killed at that pace.

I thought about asking if I could ride Silas, but was unsure. He was still new to in his body, and after the crash landing he had today, I wasn't too keen on asking him to fly us. Also, what if it insulted his pride? Dragons were proud creatures, and probably thought it would be a horrid experience to give a human a ride. Let alone the Dragonborn, most capable dragon slayer in all the lands.

But Silas was human first, so perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.

I walked to his side, slightly wary of the imposing form. It's just Silas, I told myself. It's still him. I reached a hand out, slowly, and placed it between his closed eyes. He lazily opened one and stared up at me for a moment before picking his head up off the grass. I took it as a cue to speak.

"I think we should leave," I told him. "We've been here too long." I glanced around the meadow. All was still, but I didn't trust it. Silas lifted his nose, nostrils flaring as he scented the wind.

"I smell nothing, but I agree." He brought his head to my level, tilting his head to look at me with a forest colored eye. "Where will we go?"

I sighed. "The Greybeards, I think. They might be able to help you." I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. I held back my guilty tears, taking a shaky breath and releasing it slowly.

"What will we do with the horse?" Silas asked. "I assume that- to save time-you will fly with me?" I thought for a second. I didn't want to leave Jala behind, but I didn't know what else to do. I was disappointed about having to leave her, but knew it was best for her.

"Jala," I cooed softly as I approached her. She lifted her head and gazed at me with her large brown eyes. I untied the saddle, letting it slide from her broad back to the ground. Next, I undid the knots holding her bridle together, and removed the leather straps from her face.

I ran my hand down her face, scratching her cheek bones and behind her ears. "Good luck," I told her, and slapped her rump. She took off at a gallop, startled, and I watched her until she disappeared from sight around the bend.

I gathered our provisions and strapped my pack to my back, ready to go. I turned and found Silas crouched, prepared for take-off. I walked to him as confidently as I could. Inside, I was panicking. I hadn't ever told anyone, but I was terrified of heights. And here I was, about to hop onto a novice dragon's back. I made a quick prayer to all of the gods.

When I got close, Silas dropped his head, allowing me to climb (rather ungracefully, to my shame) onto his neck. I seated myself between two rows of short, blunt spikes and tried to grip anything that I could. Silas lifted his head, and my legs reflexively tightened around his hard scales.

He pushed himself up, putting most of his weight on his back legs, and then lifted his wings. He brought them down with such force that dust flew up around us. But it was not enough to leave the ground. He pushed again, harder this time, and then again. It took less time than the first time he tried to fly, but I could tell he was still frustrated.

We rose steadily, climbing higher and higher until we were above the treetops. He tilted his wings, catching air at a different angle, and-slowly-we moved forward. He continued gaining altitude until we were sufficiently high enough, and then angled himself slightly toward the ground. I gripped him tightly with my legs.

He gained speed, and circled toward the tallest mountain in Skyrim; the Throat of the World. I forced myself to look straight ahead, knowing that if I looked anywhere else, my fear would kick into overdrive. I think Silas sensed my fear, because he made sure that his movements were slow and gentle.

"I won't let you fall," Silas' voice drifted up from beneath me.

"I know," I called over the wind. "I just… I'm afraid of heights," I admitted.

"That's a shame," he said. "It's beautiful up here."

I debated with myself, my logical half stating that if I looked around, I would undoubtedly become so greatly frightened that I would immediately fall from Silas' back and to my death. My more free thinking, impulsive side said that at least the view would be impressive as I fell. And so I chanced a look, despite my fears.

It took my breath away. We were high up, so that mammoths looked to be no bigger than saber cats, and people were like ants. Streams and rivers ran like blue ribbons on green cloth. Suddenly, a great jealousy overcame me. No wonder why dragons spent most of their time flying. It was beautiful up here.

Guilt followed the jealousy. I had taken this view from so many. Countless dragons would never see the land this way ever again. Would never feel the gentle caress of the wind. I turned my face to the setting sun, closed my eyes, and begged forgiveness. A solitary tear slid down my cheek.

That's when I heard it. The unmistakable roar of a dragon that has just sighted its next prey. I sighed. Could this day get any worse?