Author's Note: So I'm back in school now and it's a little harder to keep updating every so often, but I'll try my best! Thanks to some writing tips from Jacobnater (Thanks again btw) I'm going to experiment with a different type of writing, so as to make reading the story much easier. Let me know how it turns out! I don't own Skyrim. Enjoy!

P.S. ursus105: Thanks! Glad you're a fan!

The Call

I looked at the soldier incredulously. "Dragonborn? What do you mean?" Still with a shocked expression he explained,

"In old times when there were dragons still around, the Dragonborn would slay a dragon and absorb their power. That's what you did, isn't it? Absorbed its power?" I didn't know what to say to that. I looked back at the dragon's skeleton. Is that what just happened? It certainly would explain a few things, but seriously Dragonborn? It seemed so unreal. Like something out of a bedtime story Pa would tell me. Then again, a beast that's been gone for centuries dies at my hand and its skin turns into energy which I apparently absorbed. Not your typical day, I suppose.

"I think you may be right." I say to the soldier.

He nods. "Yes, I think I am. You can Shout now. That can only mean one thing. You must be Dragonborn." All the soldiers started mumbling amongst one another. Some couldn't believe it, and others were gaping with awe.

Irileth broke the confusion and said, "Dragonborn or no there's one thing we can agree on, and it's that the dragon is dead! Victory!" The soldiers snapped out of confusion and shouted along with her.

We all started to head back, though everyone was still staring at me out of wonderment. Irileth told me to go on ahead, as Balgruuf would want to hear this from me. It was just when I reached Whiterun, that suddenly a loud rumble could be heard throughout the land. The skies looked clear, so it was no thunder, but I could tell it was no storm the way the land was shaking. Then I heard a rumble that sounded like words. Kind of like the Shout I just did after absorbing the dragon and what the black dragon at Helgen was saying. "DOV… AHH… KIN!" It seemed to say. I stood in amazement when the rumble was over. What was that? I turned towards Dragonsreach and ran, hoping Balgruuf or Farengar would have answers.

The moment I got there, I was immediately ushered in to Balgruuf straight away. "You heard the summons didn't you?" He asked right away. "Summons?" I asked incredulously. "Didn't you hear it when you entered Whiterun? The Greybeards were summoning you from High Hrothgar. This hasn't happened in centuries, at least." Balgruuf frowned and asked me what happened at the tower. "Well, I killed the dragon."

"The black one you spoke of?" He asked.

"No, it was a different one." Another frown

"What else happened?"

"Uh, well… I sort of absorbed its power and I may be something called a Dragonborn." I stammered, still not sure how he would take this, after all I was still having trouble.

Balgruuf's eye's went wide as he sat back on his throne. "So it's true," he gasped, "the Greybeards really were summoning you." This time it was my turn to frown. "Greybeards?

"Masters of the Way of the Voice." He explained. "They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World."

"What do they want with me?"

"The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice, the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um or Shout. If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use this gift."

What came next was a loud assortment of arguments concerning the summons and whether or not I was Dragonborn. I wasn't really listening, all of this was just processing in my head. All of this talk of Dragonborns and Thu'um was a lot to take in. Balgruuf silenced everyone and said, "When you killed that dragon, something was revealed inside of you, and the Greybeards heard it. Who are we to argue with them? You must journey to High Hrothgar and answer the summons. It is a great honor." Balgruuf then went into a reminiscent mood as he remembered making the pilgrimage there once, how peaceful it was and disconnected from the troubles of the world. "I wonder if they even know what's going on down here. They haven't seemed to care before."

He stood up. "There is no question, you must go to High Hrothgar, at once. You've done a great service for me and this city. As Jarl of Whiterun, I name you Thane of Whiterun, it's the greatest title I grant in my power." He gestured to the side of the room where there stood a young brunette woman, no older than I, garbed in armor. "I also hereby assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl." The brunette stepped forward. I turned back to Balgruuf, who gave me a nod of respect. It was time to go, I guess. I turned around to the entrance to see Lydia waiting for me. She bowed her head and struck her fist against her chest as a sign of respect. "My Thane," she said, "I am honored to serve you." I nodded, and we left together.

I awoke with a start. The night air was cool against my sweat. I wiped my brow and edged closer to the fire to see Lydia sharpening her sword while keeping watch opposite me. "Bad dreams, my Thane?" She asked.

"Yeah," I answered with hesitation, "Helgen kind of stuck with me." She nodded.

"Sights of death are not easy to overcome, my Thane." I looked at her.

"Could you stop calling me Thane? It's discomforting."

"Would you prefer Dragonborn?" She suggested.

"Hells no," I replied, "that's worse. Just call me by my name, Will."

"Will." She tried. I looked around at our surroundings for a bit then looked back at her. I had to admit Lydia looked very comely by the firelight. I must have been looking too long because she gave me a funny look. "What is it?" She asked.

"Nothing," I quickly replied, "it's just that I was wondering what your story was. Where did you come from and all that." She hesitated before replying. Clearly she wasn't asked this question often. "Why do you want to know?" I shrugged.

"Well we're going to be traveling together for a while, might as well get to know each other. I mean, what exactly does a Housecarl do?"

"As my Thane, I'm sworn to your service." She said. "I'll guard you and everything you own with my life.

"So like I said, we're going to be together for a while." I waited for her to respond.

"Well, I was born in a city, not unlike Whiterun, and when I was old enough, I chose swords over dresses and trained to be a soldier. Eventually I was moved to Whiterun to train as a Housecarl until I was assigned to a Jarl or Thane, and that's about it."

"Really?" I asked. "That's it? No family? Friends?"

"I was an orphan." She explained. "As for friends, they came and went fast. I was close with some people, but now they're distant memories." I was stunned. She had such a solitary life and wasn't even fazed by it. Not by much anyway. But I understood what her life was like. I had one like that too.

"And you, my Thane?" She asked suddenly. I glared at her for a second. "I mean, Will. What's your story?" I smiled at her mistake.

"Well, not much to tell. I was born to a farmer and his wife. My mother died, early in my childhood, and my father followed years later when I was seven and ten years. I spent some time working on the farm, but I had too much trouble getting money because of the war going on. So I packed up and was about to cross the border to find some work, or at least some adventure, until I was promptly arrested, and later freed by a dragon." I never talked this often with people before. In the village I grew up near, there weren't many children my age, so I too had no friends." I raised my hands in exasperation. "Now I'm a Dragonborn with a Housecarl. Funny how life has turned out for me." Lydia gave a soft chuckle, and I grinned. She was stone cold up until this moment and I got her to smile! She reached over to the fire, dousing it a bit to dim the light.

"We should get some sleep." She said. "We have a big day tomorrow." I agreed before lying down and closing my eyes. My dreams that night, were not of Helgen.

Author's Note: So as you can see it's a bit different but hopefully better. You can also see this is where the romance comes in. I always thought Lydia was the hottest woman in this game. My opinion, just saying. If you disagree, that's your opinion. Keep sending in reviews, so I can keep improving! See you next time!