"There it is, Riverwood." Ralof pointed to the outline of the town ahead. A sigh passed through the group as they saw past the tree line. This would be their last stop before their final destination, Whiterun. Elsa couldn't wait to get off the horse to stretch and sleep in a real bed. Sleeping on the ground for the past six weeks hurt and had gotten old real quick. She wish she could have used her ice powers to make a bed, but she and Anna decided to hide who they truly are in fear of being hunted down. Speaking of Anna she was currently leaning against Kristoff's back fast asleep and lightly snoring. Elsa smiled at her sister's cute face she had as she slept.
The gateway to the town led to the main road that stretched through the town. Ralof led them to the stables behind a nearby house and quickly dismounting.
"Gerdur!" He yelled out running for the house's door. He knocked fairly loudly on the wood. The door opened and a blonde woman in a green dress and gloves answered the door.
"Ralof!" She smiled hugging the man. "It's good to see you brother. What are you doing here?" She looked behind him and saw the other four people and horses.
"Gerdur these three are in trouble and need a place to lie low."
"In trouble with who?" Gerdur asked raising a brow.
"Ulfric is trying to kill them. They are from Arendelle." Gerdur's eyes widened and she quickly ushered them inside. Hadvar went to put the horses in the stables as they went inside. It was a quaint house with a hearth, dining table, a bar, and a comfy looking bed.
"So you are from Arendelle?" Gerdur asked. Elsa nodded.
"Yes. We are, refugees." She said looking at Anna and Kristoff. Gerdur smiled at her.
"I know who you are Queen Elsa. Do not worry, you are safe. I may support the Stormcloaks and my brother here, but I do not support Ulfric's claim of war against your kingdom. You have done nothing to us and even tried to negotiate peace." Elsa smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. However I am sorry to say you cannot stay here in Riverwood. This is neutral territory and Stormcloaks often like to pass by here."
"We won't be staying long." Anna spoke up. "We just plan on staying here the night and then move on to Whiterun."
"That sounds like a good plan. Hulda at the Inn can help you find a place to stay for a while."
"And if they can't help then there are the Companions." Ralof said sitting at the table.
"Companions?" Kristoff asked. Ralof nodded.
"A group of skilled warriors who protect the people of Whiterun. They're kind of like a mercenary group, just with honor, respect, tradition, and loyalty to the people of Whiterun. If you do go to them you will have to prove yourself worthy enough to be among them." The sisters looked at each other. The Companions didn't really sound like their kind of crowd. Kristoff on the other hand wanted to go and meet them himself.
"So what is your plan for tonight?" Gerdur asked. Elsa turned to her.
"Tonight we'll just stay at the inn. Tomorrow morning we'll take off for Whiterun."
"Is there any specific thing you're looking for or is it just to find refuge?" She asked. Elsa wondered if she should tell this woman or not.
"Elsa." Anna spoke up. "I believe we can trust her." She smiled at her blonde sister. Elsa smiled and nodded.
"Well the Greybeards gave me a message when the two sides came to Arendelle to negotiate. I don't know what it says, but I do know I am supposed to find someone." Ralof cleared his throat.
"What I understand of it is they're looking for the Dragonborn." Gerdur grew stiff.
"The Greybeards told you to look for the Dragonborn?" Elsa gave her a confused look.
"I guess?" Gerdur stood rigid.
"If the Greybeards say the Dragonborn has returned then it explains what we saw flying over the barrow weeks ago." Ralof nodded. The others looked at the two confused.
"What did you see?" Anna asked. Ralof turned to them.
"We saw a dragon."
"A dragon?" Elsa asked surprised. Ralof nodded.
"Yes. The Elder Scrolls, ancient relics that hold prophecies, tell of the return of the dragons and their leader Aludin the World Eater. If dragons have returned and the Dragonborn is alive then it means the end of the world is here." Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff looked at each other worried.
"The world is ending?" Anna asked nervous. Elsa shrugged.
"I don't know Anna, but now I think we need to find this Dragonborn person and figure out how to save our home."
"Maybe we can help them to." Anna smiled. Elsa laughed at her sister's enthusiasm.
"Maybe. For now we need to get some rest."
"Delphine will be able to give you guys rooms tonight. Tomorrow you need to get to the Jarl of Whiterun and have a place to stay permanently. Oh, and good luck finding the Dragonborn." Gerdur said walking back to her room. Ralof sighed and stood.
"Come on I'll take you to the inn." Silently they followed him across the town to a building called the Sleeping Giant Inn. Inside was a large fire place and a bar where a built man was wiping down mugs. A bard was playing his flute and a man was sitting with his back to them drinking. A woman with a short ponytail and in a worn dress came up to them.
"Hello Ralof."
"Hello Delphine. I need rooms for my friends here.
"I've got two rooms available. Twenty gold for both." Ralof reached into a pouch on his side and pulled out the appropriate amount of gold coins before turning to the others.
"Hadvar and I will meet you in Whiterun tomorrow afternoon. When you get there look for the Companions and talk to their Harbinger. He is their leader and will be able to help you. He is a good friend." Ralof said before leaving the inn. Delphine waited for them to turn back to her.
"Both rooms on the left are yours. Make yourselves at home." She said before turning away. Elsa nodded before turning to her sister. However Anna and Kristoff were walking to one of the rooms.
'I guess they want some alone time.' Elsa thought before going to the other room and closing the door. She sat down on the bed and instantly felt her body relax. She laid down and even felt more relaxed. Being off that saddle in a bed was wonderful. Before she knew it she was fast asleep dreaming about who this Dragonborn person could be.
Throughout the night Elsa was up tossing and turning. Something was making her stomach turn and hurt violently. It wasn't until the sun broke the horizon that Elsa heard movement in the next room. Anna must have spent the night in the same room as Kristoff. While somewhat suspicious Elsa trusted her sister and knew she wouldn't do anything that would be bad for herself or Kristoff. Elsa tried to stand only to become extremely lightheaded and her vision blurred. She fell back on the bend and rested her head in her hands. The door to the room opened and she heard someone walk in.
"Good morning Elsa!" Anna said happily. Elsa cringed from the volume of her voice. Anna instantly knew something was up.
"What's wrong?" Anna asked sitting next to her older sister.
"I'm fine Anna. I think I may just have a bug or something." Anna looked at her as if inspecting her. She placed a hand on her forehead and quickly pulled it away.
"You're burning up!" She said worried. Elsa shook her head sitting up.
"No I'm fine. We need to get ready to leave. "
"Not in your condition." Anna said. Elsa glared at her.
"Anna, I am the queen. We leave as soon as possible." Anna hated when she pulled that card, but couldn't argue. She knew Elsa was stubborn on certain things and this was one of them.
"Alright." The red head sighed and exited the room. Elsa got up and got all of her things together. Her robes weren't as wrinkled as she thought for sleeping in them, but they were worn.
'It may be a good idea to stop by the market and get some new clothes' Elsa thought. She gathered her things quickly and made her way to where the horses were kept. Hadvar and Ralof were of course already there prepping their horses.
"Good morning." Elsa greeted. Hadvar waved still working while Ralof turned to her.
"Whoa, I don't mean to be rude but you look like something a dragon threw up."
"Gee how flattering." She said in a monotone. Ralof quickly backpedalled.
"I-I didn't mean any disrespect. I just,"
"It's ok Ralof I know I look terrible. I think I may have caught something. That shouldn't hinder our plans to get to Whiterun though. We should leave soon." The other two looked at each other but said nothing. They continued prepping until Anna and Kristoff came out.
"Elsa are you sure about this?" Anna asked. Elsa only nodded and didn't even look away from the saddle. Anna sighed and went to her horse. Kristoff leaned in to whisper to her.
"What is wrong with Elsa?"
"I think she's sick. She knows she is, but refuses to rest. I think she's taking the kingdom's attack harder than we think." Kristoff nodded.
"I know. Sven doesn't like it that Elsa is pushing herself and neither do I." Sven stomped his hoof and nodded in response clearly agreeing with his friend.
"We shouldn't go." Anna sighed.
"I know Kristoff, but she refuses to rest. Once we get to Whiterun we'll take her to the doctor." Kristoff didn't like the idea, but nodded. They saddled up and were then on their way. Once outside the city gate Hadvar looked back to them.
"The road to Whiterun is not long. We will get there before the day is out." Though it was good news to hear that it wouldn't be long before they reached the city Elsa's stomach began to wretch again. She forced back the urge to voice anything in fear that the others would make her turn around and go back to Riverwood. She was sick, but she needed to continue on for her people.
The terrain to Whiterun was beautiful. The clear water of the river flowed to their right and the lush forest hung over them from the left. Ahead they could see the vast fields stretching farther than the eye could see. In the center of the field stood the city of Whiterun. Proud and tall it towered over the fields. The city's keep towered over the huge walls surrounding it. It looked so unique, so different then what she expected.
"As they made their way through the valley Elsa's vision began to blur. She could feel herself becoming dehydrated under the brutal sun. She had stopped sweating a while ago and her mouth was dry. Even her ice powers which normally kept her cool were failing her. However, Elsa could not let the others think she was sick. She had a mission to do and she was going to do it.
They soon made it to the stables and had their horses, and Sven, put into their individual pen. Sven seemed to like the warmth and hay, but of course it could have had more carrots. As they made their way up the path Anna and Kristoff looked around at the guards watching them. Their yellow cloth draped over them was very similar to that of the Stormcloaks and so were their helmets. The only difference was the cloth color was yellow and not blue.
"I don't like this." Kristoff said holding Anna close.
"They are just doing their job Kristoff." Elsa snapped as her footing slightly faltered. They all turned to her.
"Elsa are you ok? You look terrible." Anna said grabbing her sister's arm.
"Anna I'm fine. I'm just a little tired.' Elsa smiled.
"You were always a horrid liar. Anna said with a smirk. The two sisters laughed. Anna knew how to read her sister and she knew when she was lying. Elsa was about to speak when suddenly her expression went blank and she collapsed to the ground.
"Elsa!" Anna shouted. Kristoff was at the queen's side and picked her up. Hadvar rushed ahead to the gate with the others hot on his heels. One of the guards stepped forward.
"Halt! City is closed with the dragons about. Official business only." Anna came up to him.
"Please sir. My sister is sick and needs to see a doctor." The other guard came up.
"No one gets in. Jarl's orders." Kristoff decided to try.
"Please sir, this is Queen Elsa of Arendelle. She desperately needs the doctor." The guards looked at each other then laughed.
"Impossible. Ulfric killed the queen when he invaded Arendelle." The guard on the left said. "Besides rumor has the queen wears robes of ice. The clothing you all are wearing are tattered and worn." It's true their clothing was worn from the long travel and they didn't look like they used to. However they were wasting time and Anna was frustrated with this.
"My sister needs help! Now please let us in!" The guards suddenly drew their swords scaring Anna and Kristoff.
"You all are becoming a real nuisance. We should just lock you all up!" The guard on the left said.
"Yeah and leave that sick one to the Sabre Cats!" The guard on the right added. Hadvar and Ralof stood between them in an aggressive stance.
"Now hold on a minute. You would turn a sick person away?" Ralof spat.
"What kind of men are you?" Hadvar added. The guards looked poised to strike.
"Hold guardsmen!" Someone shouted from down the pathway. They all turned to see four figures coming up the path.
"What is the problem?" The woman of the group asked. Her war paint and armor was doing its job of intimidating Anna, even if it was revealing.
"These lowlifes are trying to get into the city." The woman took a good look at the five of them. Two of the men stood next to her. The one to her left was dressed in full steel armor with a large great sword. The man to her right wore tan armor with fur that seemed to have wolf symbols all over it.
"And the issue is?" The steel armored man asked in his low baritone voice.
"Only official business is allowed into the city Companions." The other man who stood behind the others came forward.
"This woman is sick and you are refusing her aid." The man was tall and strong looking. He wore reflective steel plate metal that reflected the sunshine.
"They will be let in." The man said calmly.
"Harbinger please tell us you're joking?" The guard on the right asked.
"Let. Them. In." The man's voice was calm but held much authority. The guard sighed.
"Fine, but they're your problem." The guard turned and used his key to open the gate. The four strangers turned to them.
"When we get inside follow us. We will take you to our healer." The woman said to Anna and Kristoff.
"Thank you, but it's only my sister who needs the healer." The man the guards called the Harbinger looked at the Snow Queen intently.
"I will heal her." Kristoff gave him a look. The man in wolf armor laughed.
"Don't worry lad. The Harbinger is well trained in Restoration magic as well as the sword and bow. Your friend is in good hands." This seemed to ease Anna, but Kristoff was still worried. Hadvar and Ralof came and shook hands with the Harbinger.
"Good to see you two again." He said.
"Likewise. Still have those extra rooms for us at Jorrvaskr?"
"Yes I do. They're all yours." The two nodded and left immediately. The large group entered the city and made their way to a temple. Kristoff was wary of leaving Elsa with this stranger, but relaxed when he saw the other healers in the temple. The Harbinger motioned to a bed to set her on.
"Vilkas take the others to my home and have them wait there. I will return when I am done here."
"Yes Harbinger." Vilkas motioned for Anna and Kristoff to follow. Anna, though not wanting to leave her sister, knew she was in good hands and followed. Kristoff held her hand as they made their way through the city.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Anna asked. Kristoff nodded.
"I don't know about that stranger, but I trust the healers. She will be fine." Anna hoped he was right.
'Please Elsa, get better soon.'
Well another chapter down! I know this one was a little longer than the others and I intended it that way. I've got more written down already and plan to add them soon. I hope you all like the story so far! It's taken a bit of work but it's coming together nicely! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!