Beware, Beware the Dragonborn Comes

Summary: "Mother always told me that father was special. She called him Dragonborn. Soul of a dragon, body of a human… It's a shame I don't remember him but mother says I'm like him in more ways than just my appearance."

Errands to Run

As we slowly approached the small town of Riverwood, we could hear the call of the dragon in the distance. The town's people were out of their homes, watching this winged demon fly back to its resting place.

"By the nine, did you see that?" One man asked another, his face full of awe and terror. Ralof glanced at me as I watched them.

"My sister's house is just here." He led me up the stairs and stood outside the door. "Are you ready to go in?"

"Of course," I nodded at him with a friendly smile, "I'm starved."

He let a small chuckle escape from his chest. "I bet you are."

We stepped into the small, homely cabin and looked around. The fire was lit, so there was definitely someone there. As Ralof searched for his sister, I eyed the food on the table. Apples, carrots, sweet rolls… They were all there for the taking. I turned when I heard the footsteps coming up the stairs from the basement. Ralof followed behind Gerdur as she sat behind the table.

"Take a seat, and please help yourself to some food. Ralof told me you were famished." She nodded to the seat beside her while Ralof sat with her.

"Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate this." I took the seat in front of her and helped myself to a few green apples.

"Ralof was telling me that you two met while wearing binds." She gave him a small smile.

"If it wasn't for Ari here, I wouldn't be alive." He watched me with a grin. "We made a pretty good team back there."

"We did. I'm glad we had the pleasantries of meeting, even under the circumstances."

Ralof kept his eyes on me for a moment, sizing me up. Even the look he gave me sent shivers to my very core. I had feelings for him, I'd admit to it, but he didn't feel the same way and once everything had blown over, when he had forgot that I helped him get out of Helgen alive, we'd just be acquaintances.

"Gerdur," he finally said, breaking his gaze from me, "you said you had a message that needed to be done."

"I do." She said as she stood up. I watched as she walked to the cooking pot by the fire. "It's too late now to do it. The sun is going down. Besides, you and your friend have had quite the day. I think it's best left to the morning." She turned back to us with a smile. "I've made the bed downstairs for you Ari."

I could feel the warmth of her kindness and generosity inside of me. It was nice while it lasted, but even I wasn't that naive to know it wouldn't be long until I was back in the cold.

After thanking Gerdur for the bed and the food, I sat in the cold basement and removed the heavy armour from my body, feeling the relief as my skin breathed in the air.

"I love the feeling of the cold air on my skin, once the armour's off of course." Ralof spoke from the top of the stairs, a small smirk on his face.

I tried to cover up as much as possible and took a shallow breath as my heart began to pound. "I didn't hear you… Or see you there."

"Sorry, I sneaked up on you didn't I?" he went down a couple more steps and leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. "Don't be nervous around me, I just came to check up on you."

I nodded a little, relaxing to his words. "Everything's perfect. Thank Gerdur for me." I requested, nodding lightly.

"She just headed out, had something to do. But I didn't come down to just check on you."

"Oh? What did you come down for?"

"I have to leave now and make the trip back to Windhelm, see what my next mission is now that I'm released from captivity." Ralof flashed a small smile and released his stance, his arms falling to the side. "I hope to see you again. Maybe on the battlefield." He returned to the ground floor, I could hear his footsteps above me.

"Ralof," I called out, waiting for him to return to the stairs, "do you have to go so soon?" I felt like I had to seize the opportunity and show him how I felt. Goodness knows when I'd see him, if he'd even live long enough for me to find him.

"I suppose I could spend a while longer." He raised a brow and scratched the back of his head. "Why do you want me to stay?"

I clasped my hands and closed my eyes. "Maybe you could lie with me? Just for a moment." I whispered the last part, embarrassed by what I had just said.

I listened to his thick footsteps as he made his way down the final steps. His hands slid around to the back of my neck as he stared down at me. "I was hoping you would ask." He admitted, slowly finding my lips with his.

I woke up early in the morning to find the blanket made for two, fitted around one. I sat up and sighed, thinking about the night before. Nothing like that had ever happened like that, I've never been left alone. But this is what it felt like, to be abandoned. I only had myself to blame, he did tell me he had to leave. It's just a shame he couldn't wait until I awoke.

I put the clothes on that had been left for me; a tunic and a pair of boots. Once I put them on I walked up the stairs to see Gerdur sitting at the table. She greeted me with a smile.

"You needed my help?" I sat at the table and watched her.

"There is something you could do for us. For everyone here." She started, hoping that I'd do the job.

"Anything."

"The Jarl needs to know there's a dragon on the loose. Riverwood is defenceless… We need to get word to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun to send whatever soldiers he can. If you do that for me, I'll be in your debt."

"Of course, how do I get to Whiterun?"

"There's a bridge just outside of here, go over it and follow the path. It will lead you straight to Whiterun."

I nodded at her and headed to the door. "Thank you for the food, and for the clothes."

"Listen, Ralof told me that he is sorry for leaving you and that he hopes to see you again."

"Maybe one day."

The scenery around me was beautiful, like nothing I would've saw in Hammerfell. The sky was picturesque and the small farms I travelled through on my way to the city gate were unspoiled. As I stepped to the city gates I got stopped by a guard. "Halt! City's closed with the dragons about. Official business only." He sounded stern and uncompromising.

"Riverwood calls for the Jarl's aid."

"Riverwood's in danger too? You'd better go in. You'll find the Jarl in Dragonsreach, at the top of the hill."

I walked into the city of Whiterun and I made my way through looking at the houses and shops that I passed. Everything seemed good here, no violence, and no troubles. The people were friendly, it was quaint.

I travelled up the steps to the Jarl's place, Dragonsreach. It was an old building, nothing I've ever seen before. I stepped inside made my way up the steps to see the Jarl.

"What's the meaning of this interruption?" A dark elf approached me, draped in armour with her sword drawn. "Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving visitors."

"Gerdur sent me. Riverwood's in danger."

"As housecarl, my job is to deal with all dangers that threaten the Jarl or his people. So you have my attention. Now, explain yourself."

I sighed a little. "A dragon has attacked Helgen."

She looked at me with a surprise filled expression. "You know about Helgen? The Jarl will want to speak to you personally. Approach." I watched as she put her sword away and followed her to the throne of the Jarl.

"So you were at Helgen? You saw this dragon with your own eyes?" He seemed to doubt me a little, I understood why. Anyone could've claimed to see the dragon.

"The Imperials were about to execute Ulfric Stormcloak. Then the dragon attacked."

"I should've guessed Ulfric would be mixed up in this." The Jarl turned to a man standing beside him. "What do you make of this now Proventus? Shall we continue to trust the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"

The woman in armour returned to the Jarl's side. "My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once." She looked at Proventus and then back at the Jarl with a panic stricken face. "It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains…"

"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him." He looked at the Jarl. "We should not!"

"Enough!" the Jarl raised his hand. "I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment at once to Riverwood."

"Yes my Jarl." She had a dwindling smile on her face; she was victorious against the man who tried to stop her plan.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." Proventus sneered.

"That would be best." The Jarl replied, watching him walk back to his post, pushing past me and Irileth. The Jarl turned to me with a slight smile. "Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it."

"Anything I could do to help." I nodded and turned to leave.

"There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents perhaps."

I turned back to him and raised my brows. "I'm listening."

"Come; let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and… Rumours of dragons." He got off his thrown and led me into a room. "I'll introduce you to Farengar. He can be a bit difficult… Mages, you know."

I released a sigh and nodded. "So I've heard."

We walked into the room filled with gems and maps. A man in a hooded robe stood over the table, looking down at one of the maps stretched out across the wood.

"So the Jarl thinks you could be of use to me? Oh yes, he must be referring to my research into the dragons. Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me."

"What do I have to do?"

"Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not be there."

I laughed a little sarcastically and shook my head. "Great." I mumbled under my breath. "What does this have to do with dragons?"

"Ah, no mere mercenary but a thinker- perhaps even a scholar? You see, when the stories of dragons began to circulate, many dismissed them as mere fantasies, rumours. Impossibilities. One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as being impossible. But I began to search for information about dragons. Where had they gone for all those years? And where are they coming from?"

"So what do you need me to do?"

"I learned of a certain stone tablet said to be house in Bleak Falls Burrow- a 'dragonstone', said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Burrow, find this tablet- no doubt in the main chamber- and bring it back to me. Simplicity itself."

I nodded and looked at the Jarl. "Point me in the right direction to Bleak Falls Burrow."