Author's Note: I don't own Skyrim. That's all I can really say.
Giants and Dragons
Gerdur let me stay the night before setting out again. I needed the rest if I was to go out again. Though I'm not sure how much rest I got with her young son pestering me about the events of the day. I didn't tell him much. No use having a seven year old going around saying how there are dragons again. After a light breakfast, I thanked Gerdur for her hospitality and went to the blacksmith to buy better gear. I used whatever money I looted from Helgen and sold some other stuff I got, like rings and animal pelts, and I bought some better armor and a cheap greatsword. Finally, I was on my way after using what little money I had left to buy a map so I could find Whiterun easier.
It was a nice day out, as I walked along the path, but still wary from the events of the day before, I was on the lookout for danger. As I reached a farm area, which my map said was the Pelagia, I saw three people, who were obviously not farmers, fighting a giant. He wasn't as big as the stories say, more like double the size of a normal man. There was a man with a standard sword and shield, and two women, one with and axe and the other with a bow and arrows. Even though they seemed to have everything under control, I took out my sword and joined the fight. The others didn't seem to notice my addition to the fight, even after I slashed the giant in the back. He turned around and swung at me with his club, while being pelted with arrows by the archer. I ducked while the swordsman stabbed the giant through the chest. The giant went down with a thud.
"You handle yourself well." I spun around to see the female archer sheathing her bow. "Thanks, you guys did most of the work though." "Indeed." She responded, looking me over like I was some sort of new species of animal. "You could make for a decent Shield-Brother." "Sorry? What's a Shield-Brother?" I asked. "An outsider, eh? Never heard of the Companions? We are an order of warriors. Brothers and sisters in honor. And we show up to solve problems if the coin is good enough." I raised an eyebrow. "So, you're mercenaries?" She scowled at me. "Some may see it that way but we are much more. If you feel yourself worthy, come find us in Whiterun." She turned away and her companions followed. The swordsman gave me one last look and grunted before following the women. I could've sworn heard him growl. I started to follow them, as they said they were based in Whiterun, but they soon were too far ahead of me to see, so I continued alone. Traveling alone is terribly dull, I thought, it's much better to travel with company for conversation.
Finally I reached the gates of Whiterun. The guard at the gate stopped me. "Sorry. Word of dragons about. Official business only may enter or leave Whiterun." "But I have news of the Helgen attack." I said. "Oh," said the guard, "in that case you better go in and see the Jarl. He's in Dragonsreach at the top of the hill." I thanked him as he opened the gate, and I made my way through. I went through the village of Whiterun, looking around at my surroundings the wole way up the hill. I saw a blacksmith shop, several marketplace stands, tons of houses, and a huge building where I saw the three warriors from earlier entering. The archer saw me, and gave me a lingering look before entering. I turned uphill and saw a giant castle before me. This must be Dragonsreach, I thought. I went up the many steps and through the doors. I saw at the end of the great hall I was standing in, the Jarl sitting on his throne talking with his advisors.
As I came closer, a green elfish female, armed to the teeth came towards me, sword in hand. "Who dares interrupt the Jarl? Sate your business, and do it fast." "I have news on the dragon attack in Helgen." She sheathed her blade. "You were at Helgen? I apologize. As housecarl I must anticipate every threat to Jarl Balgruuf's life. Approach him, he'll want to speak with you personally." The Jarl and his advisors, now at full attention to my presence and the housecarl's reaction to my words, eyed me as I approached. "So, you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?" "Yes, a huge black dragon with a lot of horns attacked and Helgen is now probably lost among ashes." "I see…" Balgruuf responded. He turned to one of his advisors. "What do you say now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust the strength in our walls? Against a dragon?" After conversing with both the housecarl and his advisors, he ordered the housecarl, whose name was Irileth, to send protection to Riverwood.
Everyone left and he turned to me, thanking me for coming all this way to give warning. He then asked me for a favor, and led me to his court wizard, Farengar, who knew a thing or two about dragons. When I asked what they needed from me, Farengar said, "It's more of a matter of dwelling into certain danger and finding an ancient stone tablet that may or may not be there." Okay… I thought, nothing too new to what I've been through so far. When I asked him to explain he said he was interested thoroughly in the dragons history, where they disappeared to where they came from, and this stone tablet, or Dragonstone, could shed some light on these questions and get us closer to defending the lands from dragons. He told me I could find the Dragonstone in Bleak Falls Barrow. The Jarl told me it was a priority to safety of the people and that Whiterun would be in my debt. "But first, you will rest here and get some better gear before setting out again." I nodded and headed to the inn. Maybe I could get a few tankards before leaving.