A/N: Okay guys! Here we go. If Paarthurnax seems out of character, that because he probably is. Sorry. I go a little crazy with the dragon fights. :/ Oh well. Please review and tell me what you think. and point out mistakes. For some reason, my fingers didn't want to type properly at all. I guess because I'm kinda rushing. So if this chapter sucks, that's why. Sorry again. I hope you like it anyway. :)

Chapter 22

Despite the dark skies, we thought it best that we get to the Greybeards as soon as possible. I clambered up onto Silas neck and held on tight as we left the ground. I was hoping that the meeting between Silas and Paarthurnax would go as smoothly as possible, but you could never tell with dragons.

Wind buffeted us, and I nearly fell off as Silas fought to keep us in the air. His wings strained as we climbed higher into the gray skies, pelted by warm raindrops throughout our ascent. We neared the giant mountain, but had a long way to go before we reached the top.

As if he was in no hurry, Silas circled around the mountain, angling himself upwards so that we spiraled towards the top of the mountain. It was relaxing, and gave me time to gather my thoughts and prepare for what was coming.

My blood raced. I was nervous about revealing Silas to Paarthurnax. What if he couldn't help him turn back? Would Silas be stuck like this forever? He would lose everything because of me. I held back my tears, but guilt swallowed me again. I had destroyed Silas and made him into something he didn't want to be, all because I foolishly took on another follower.

Hadn't I learned anything from the others?

I turned my face to the sky and let the warm Spring rain wash away my fears and anxieties. We were nearing High Hrothgar now. The mountain's summit was still locked in winter's fierce grip despite the changing of the seasons below. The rain was noticeably colder, and grew more and more frigid the higher we got.

I gazed out across the plains, marveling at how far I could see, despite the haziness caused by the rain. I understood why Jurgen Windcaller built his fort halfway up the tallest mountain in Skyrim: the view was incredible.

I had traveled the Seven Thousand Steps many times before, but had always been driven by a purpose. I had never taken the time to enjoy how beautiful this place was. What else have I missed in my haste? I thought.

"How far up the mountain do we have to go?" Silas called over the wind.

"You'll know," I replied. I didn't want to tell him openly that I was taking him to see a dragon and not the Greybeards. Another wave of guilt washed over me, but I swept it aside. It's for his own good. But another part of me rebelled.

If Paarthurnax attacked Silas before I got the chance to explain, Silas could be killed. But if I told Silas about Paarthurnax, would he agree to go? I knew in my heart that I should warn him. If Silas didn't want to speak with the old dragon, I couldn't force him.

"Silas? There's something I need to tell you. Could you find a spot clear enough to land?" I felt a deep rumble in his throat, and he slowed. He chose a spot close to the edge of the mountain, and the thought of accidentally tripping and falling down the side of the mountain made me shiver.

He landed roughly in the small space, and I jumped off. My legs wobbled slightly as I put my weight on them. I sat on a nearby rock so that my weak legs could rest a bit.

"What's wrong?" Silas asked after a while. I sat in silence, trying to find the best way to tell him.

"We're not going to the Greybeards," I started. "I think I will after you meet Paarthurnax and I'm sure you're not going to try and kill each other as soon as I'm gone. But they'll not see you."

He stared at me, though I could not tell the expression on his scaly face. "I gathered as much when we passed over High Hrothgar. Who is this Paarthurnax?"

I stamped snow from my boots, trying to keep the blood flowing to my feet. It was bitter cold, and the wind whipping around didn't help matters.

"Paarthurnax is a dragon."I closed my eyes and flinched away, waiting for the roar of indignation. But nothing happened. I opened one eye a crack and looked at Silas. He sat there, unmoving, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"You're not mad?" I asked warily.

"Why would I be?" The question caught me off guard.

"Because I was leading you blindly into a situation that could be potentially fatal."

A puff of smoke rose from Silas' nostrils and a gravelly sound emanated from his throat. Laughing? He quieted down and fixed his eyes on me once again.

"I trust you, Freya," he finally said, and placed the flat of his head against my armored chest. "I will follow you to the end of the world and farther. You need only ask."

I placed my forehead against his bony skull and wrapped my arms around his spiked jaw. His warm breath seeped between the cracks in my armor, heating my chilled skin and lending me strength. We sat like that for what seemed like hours, comfortable and warm in the icy landscape.

Eventually I stood, and we silently continued our journey. We were silent for most of our travel, but as we neared Paarthurnax's domain, I gave Silas instruction.

"If he attacks you, don't fight back," I called over the icy wind. "I'll try to get his attention. If he sees me, he'll wait till I explain what I'm doing bringing another dragon to his hiding place. Hopefully, this will go smoothly and no one will get hurt."

"I could drop you off and give you time to talk to him," Silas proposed. "When you've explained, you could call for me."

It sounded like a good idea, but how would Silas hear me over the wind? I voiced my concern, and Silas hummed. I could think of nothing else to do. As we came into view of the summit, I steeled my nerves for the task ahead.

"Get ready!" Silas growled in response, and headed into a dive towards the clearing. I could barely make out Paarthurnax's gray form against the white snow and slate rocks as he rested on his word wall. All I saw was the burst of flame headed our way.

Silas let the wind carry him out of the path of the flames, and opened his wings. We were buffeted by the wind, and Silas struggled to keep us on our path. I gripped his neck tightly and prayed that we reach the ground safely.

I heard Silas growl loudly over the lashing gales, and then we hit the ground. Despite my bear-like grip, I was thrown from Silas' neck and tumbled to a stop in the snow. I leapt up despite a dagger like pain in my ribs and surveyed the damage.

Silas lay some ways away, wings thrashing and tail whipping as he tried to right himself. Paarthurnax had leapt into the air and was now circling overhead. I doubted he saw me, and chose to rush to Silas' aid instead of try to get the gray dragon's attention.

I called to Silas over the wind, hoping he would hear my pleas for him to lie still. I dodged his tail as it swept in the air, keeping both eyes on his wings. I struggled to reach his head, the deep snow dragging me down.

I could hear Paarthurnax shouting over the wind, but couldn't make out the words. I focused on my task, struggling to reach Silas and calm him before he hurt himself. Before I could help him, he heaved once and flipped himself, backing away from Paarthurnax where he hovered above.

This was a bad idea. Silas couldn't hear me, Paarthurnax couldn't see me, and I was but an ant beneath the feet of two giants. I backed away from Silas as fast as I could in the deep snow, but my feet were nearly frozen and I stumbled, falling to the snow.

The next thing I knew, Silas was on top of me. He was crouched over my prone form, eyes on the skies as he searched for Paarthurnax. I reached up and punched his chest, hoping he could feel my weak blow and realize I was beneath him.

He suddenly tucked his head, and I thought that maybe he had felt my punch. But it grew unbearably warm, and I realized that Paarthurnax was attacking Silas from the skies with his fire breath. The heat stopped, but Silas stayed where he was. The cold set in again, and I struggled to rise.

"Stay down!" Silas shouted. He crouched lower, and the earth rumbled. Paarthurnax had landed. Silas was protecting me, shielding me with his body. I was grateful, but knew that this battle needed to end soon.

"Let me up!" I yelled at Silas. He shook his head and roared at Paarthurnax, but did not attack. The older dragon snaked forward and snapped at Silas, but his jaws closed over air. Silas kept himself out of reach, but did not move from above me.

Paarthurnax reached out again, and managed to grab Silas' left wing in his teeth. I heard a sickening crunch as the thin bones broke. Silas shuddered above me, his head dropping to hang low. His eyes were squeezed shut, teeth bared in a soundless snarl. I could hear his wheezed breaths as he struggled through the pain.

This had to end.

Despite Silas' warnings, I crawled forward as quickly as I could. I didn't know how to get Paarthurnax's attention. He was currently trying to drag Silas forward over the snow. Red droplets showered the pristine whiteness as he dug his teeth in further and pulled.

"Paarthurnax!" I cried, struggling to my feet. He couldn't hear me. I did the only thing I could think of. "YOL!"

I watched the flames crash into Paarthurnax's face. In surprise, he released Silas' wing. I heard Silas groan behind me, and the ground trembled as he collapsed. Paarthurnax finally caught sight of me, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Dovahkiin?"