A/N: Howdy to everyone! It's been forever since I could continue on this series, but like a necromancer (WHICH I AM NOT YOUR PEABRAIN FOOLS!) the story is alive and apparently wants brains! Or cheese? I don't know, all I know is that I'm working on this fic once again and I am not dead.

Actually if you all notice, I've started a community here for the Elder Scrolls called: Folklore and Tales of Tamriel. Though you know me, I come back to it weeks to months at a time. And that's only due to the fact about my activities in the outside world. Which invaded me with a horde of man-eating cheese. But that's another story for another time.

Anyway, enjoy the read, constructive criticism is cool, and I won't be surprise people will be upset about my absence. But I'm here now and a gift to the community once more.


Chapter 6 - Caverns among the Dead -

The smell of death was something to be expected, as we walked into the barrow. Lights flicker amongst the shadows as the torches lit. Our footsteps echoed into the main chamber, as it was suspiciously too quiet. I look over at Hadvar and immediately he starts saying what I was thinking. He was by a dead woman, next to an open fire, with what looks like a cooked skeever. There were plenty of them, but there looks to be a dead man sitting on top of one of the tombs, and by the wounds and bites all around him, I guess that he didn't survive long. "There was a scuffle not too long ago, they ran deeper into the chamber by the looks of all the… trouble we've faced."

"Makes sense." I replied looking around the surprisingly empty chamber, grabbing some of the dead skeever. The stomach started rumbling and as much as I would be disdained by eating such things, it was food- cooked food, something that despite how gross it is. I need something to eat, and with it, started picking parts of the cooked meat from the bone, which surprisingly slid off.

"I wouldn't eat that-" I already taken a bite and started chewing but I stopped, eyes widen and slowly looked back at him. The man only shook his head and threw me another potion. I only looked at him questionably. "Let's just say that you'll thank me later." I guess it was all he was going to say as he started heading deeper into the barrow.

I followed shortly after, after grabbing a piece of the rat that was cooked over the fire-pit. Thought it would be a good idea to have something light and easy to eat. Though a much deeper sense of me was only warning me that whatever I was doing would bite me in the ass for later. Other than that, I followed Hadvar deeper into the barrow. Knowing full well what was going to happen next.

It was then that I started to go through the different urns, seeing what I could grab. Not too soon after that was the sudden tongue lashing from Hadvar:

"What in the name of the Nine do you think you're doing!"

I stopped opening a urn half opened and turned to him, "Despite doing what I know is wrong, I know for a fact that these people would definitely not need it, and we're definitely going to be needing it more than they are, especially out on the road." The Legionnaire didn't reply back, only looking at me with cold steel eyes, looking down at me. I'm not going to say that I'm intimidated by the guy, but I know that from the look alone, he was restraining himself not to kill me, and I pissed him off quite enough already.

Closing the lid and following the man dutifully, only sneakily taking a few potions from a shelf that could prove valuable on trips down places like this. Walking through the shadows, it was then that we were trying to stick close to the walls, out of sight, and be as quiet as possible, as shouting and laughing was heard up a head. A group of men were sitting behind a gate, looking at what appears to be two men standing having a long… heated conversation.

"The blasted gate is shut again! I'm hoping that Galjar took care of the problem upstairs?"

"It's quiet, so I'm guessing it is."

"Hurry up and open the-" A hand approaches the lever.

"Wait, don't touch that!" It was then the hand hesitated, "Are you a fool, do you know what will happen if you pressed that lever?"

"Should I care?"

"YES! YES YOU SHOULD CARE! IF YA WANTED TO KILL US!"

It was that moment, I took an arrow out as well as my bow. Hadvar didn't say anything and did the same as well, probably aiming at something else. It was then I got his attention, a quick dash to the other side of the wall and pulled on his chainmail. I silently turned around, and I pointed at his arrow, then the lever. "You're the better shot, I'll pick out anybody who survives." I whispered.

The man nodded to himself and grabbed his arrow from the quiver. I laid mine on the ground in a orderly fashion. I quietly notched my arrow as well as Hadvar, with the release of the quiver, the arrow soared, hitting spot on at the lever, sending it forward. "What the-"

Whoever said that was cut off by the dozens of darts, knives and pointy objects that came out of the walls, spiking everyone in the room. The room glows red and the stone floor and walls was decorated by the red liquid of life. The cries and wails of men were instant and forgotten, yet our eyes stared at the red room. As the knives died down, nothing moved. Darts covered the floors and walls, as well as the corpses.

The plan worked effectively… too effectively. It spared no one, I shiver at the thought of more of these traps laid across this entire barrow, this… dungeon. The thought of this not being a game, no respawns, no extra lives… if we're not careful, we'll end up like them. Which what makes these places so dangerous to the residents of Skyrim. And the stories that they say in the game. Probably what Hadvar would've told me when we're heading to Riverwood. It was then said legionnaire got up from his hiding spot and headed into the chamber, carefully, missing the knives and darts and whatever was poking out of the floors.

I looked at the three stones, and then back at the puzzle before us. Snake, snake, whale… that was what I remember. I've played the game many times, and started over just for kicks after making my fortunes in later games. I started messing with the stones on the floor adjusting the right pictures. The lever was in the same place before the arrow was fired, said arrow was lodged in it, somewhat splintering the lever.

I looked at Hadvar, who was looking back at me. Suspicion in his eyes, he took his sword out from his sheath. "Snake, snake whale, that's what the pattern says over there." I said pointing at the stones high on the wall, then the fallen snake stone. The man looked at said stones and then at the stones "I've messed with. It doesn't take a genius to know dude…"

He raised an eyebrow, and I just shook my head. Pulling the lever, the gate opens up, it only made Hadvar narrow his eyes at me… great, he thinks I'm up to something. The first thing we need is the Golden Claw, then the Dragonstone. After that, maybe I'll follow Hadvar back to Solitude for a moment… or go to the College. Damn, I'll make my decision later…

We walked into the other side of the gate, and as I start looking at the stone table, seeing coins laid out across of it, I took them and put them into the pocket. Then took whatever else is available. The wait is going to be a pain getting back… but I know it's going to be worth it. Hadvar was already ahead of me, and has started descending down the stairs. I followed after him, as he started hacking away at a few skeevers.

As I got to the lower chamber, we found more items to loot, or at least I did the looting. Hadvar then started to slow down, and it would make sense, we both saw webs laid upon the walls an ceiling, there were plenty of them here but seeing it now. It was in thick blankets, and seeing a thick part of it at the side, I took my handy zippo out and some spray. Burning the side of the wall, I saw Hadvar look back at me, in surprise. The web was cleared seeing the chest on the other side. I looked back at him with a knowing smirk, and seeing his face contort in suspicion, I chuckled in amusement.

I looked through the treasure that was in the chest. Yet, said treasure was less enthusiastic than I thought. No lot of septims and jewels were inside, a few daggers that I put on my person, either in historical value or magical value, I don't know, not personally at the moment, but a septim is a septim.

It will do…

The entrance was blocked by cobwebs and roots from overhead. Using a rusted sword from the chest, we sliced through the webs and roots into the next room. Of course, hearing the said thief that stole the Golden Claw. "My Gods, is someone there? Please, help! I'm in here, I'm stuck!" I could hear Hadvar hitting the last root more fiercely, and I know the man would probably want to save the snake in the grass.

As we dove into the room, it was then the disgusting figure descended from the ceiling above us. It's eyes staring hungerly at it's new prey, the hairy, eight-legged creature spat one of those nasty loogy-like webs at us. Hearing the large web slap against the wall behind us, as it was probably aiming at Hadvar.

I used the terrain as to my advantage, using the small entrance we've made as cover just in case the disgusting creature decides to sick its fangs at us. Taking a few steps back, I took out my bow and notched an arrow.

One, two, three, four. I looked to my side, as Hadvar adopted the same style as I had. Distance would be our key, but from the amount of pot shots and dodging we've been making, I think our eight-eyed friend has seen our strategy.

It sank low and started coming right at us. My eyes slowly widen as it closed the distance, until I felt something yanked at my fur coat. Mostly the hoody underneath it as I was still wearing my old jacket. Hadvar was already running and I'm trying to meet behind him, the loud boom behind us confirmed our fears.

That fucking spider!

It wasn't long before we made it up the spiral staircase, the spider close behind us. That was until he pushed me to the side. The creature flew up the stone tunnel, destroying the wooden staircase. I looked to see it descend on Hadvar, the only thing keeping him from getting eaten alive was the bow in his hands. I dropped mine and grabbed my axe, and my sword and immediately charged after it. Slicing through the hind legs, the creature didn't expect it, and fell on it's hind abdomen, then to it's side.

I lunged for it, until seeing a large hairy brown thing hitting me… it felt like a steel pole hitting me all of a sudden. Losing the air around me, my entire body skidded across the stone room, hitting the back wall. I lost the axe during the impact, but through the stars, I could see that I still had my sword. The reaction was instant as I saw the creature lunge at me instead, and the only thing between me and those fangs was the sword.

But it didn't expect losing a fang, as I adjust the angle and sliced downward. The green muck was unexpected but the frail screech of the creature was satisfying. It wasn't until I saw the axe at it's head, an eye split open and sprayed me as well. The creature was shaking uncontrollably before spitting a web at me, pinning me to the floor, then sank to the floor with me. The Legionnaire, took the axe out with a sickening crunch of bone and muck. It rose in the air, then fell, then again, and again. The legs were twitching, and he cut those as well, seeing them skid and twitch on the floor with a mind of their own.

Pinned to the floor, I saw the Nord slash the creature to pieces, anger in his eyes, disgust in his eyes, putting the creature down for good. And it's then I realized, where I was, and how… helpless I am. What would've become of me.

I think I'm going to puke… by both the smell and the situation.

Holding my stomach down, I was able not to do that…

My mind went back to the dragonstone, we need that stone, with it, we'll have the Dragonborn on our side… if he joins us. I'm sure he will, with the information I have. Making a few predictions and I'll be able to have him on my side. Just need him to not join any sides in Skyrim's civil war, it will only cause problems for us later.

Hadvar helped me out of the web gunk, after being free and moving my arms and legs, I got my axe back and we got back onto the quest.

"Oh thank the gods… thank you sirs!"

Which brings us to our next problem.

I turned to Hadvar, "This man has the Golden Claw, Hadvar." He turned to me, then back to the dark elf that was tangled up in front of us. "I'm not going to say I'll like saying this, but the man will run when we free him."

"You want to kill him where he stands." Hadvar whispers back.

"Well, he's hanging really… and I told ya, I'm not going to like it." I said as I frown, looking at the thief.

"We know you have the Golden Claw." Hadvar said to the thief. My eyes widen and I look back at Hadvar in surprise.

"What in the hell are you doing!" I hissed at Hadvar, the man only looked back at me.

"I'm not going to kill a man in cold blood." he said, "But if he does anything after we free him, we'll do as you wish."

Oh that son of a bitch!

"We'll make a deal," the Legionnaire said, allowing no leeway, "we'll take the Golden Claw, and we'll set you free."

The thief's eyes widen, and after a moment, he… smiled. "It is yours, thank you kind sirs! May the Eight smile upon your graces."

I'm not liking where this is going…

I shake my head as I followed Hadvar, we started cutting the webs around him until the man falls onto the stone floor underneath our feet. It was then the man bounced back up and took off running, further into the keep. Like the madman he is yelling, "You can't take the Golden Claw! Not after everything I've been through to get it! The treasure's mine! Mine!"

"That damnable elf!" the Nord to my side said taking off after the thief.

Not like I've told you so…

I took off running as well. Though knowing what will happen next, I only took off into a jog, stopping occasionally to grab a petty soul gem here and a few coins there. As I got to the first chamber of the draugr, the thief was killed of course, and so was a draugr. Taking an arrow out and notching it to my bow, I aimed at one of the two other draugr that were fighting Hadvar.

The shot hit it's shoulder, and before it even knew I was there, had it's head sliced off by the Nord. Another arrow hit the side of the other draugr, but it also knew of my presence, forgetting about Hadvar and started charging me.

I notched my next arrow and aimed, as the creature got close enough, I released it, and saw it sail into it's eye. The creature slowed down, then fell face first into the stone, about a few feet away from me. A little more than arms length...

Getting on one knee, I started digging through the draugr, finding two pieces of gold and a potion, as well as taking the arrows out of the creature. I started doing the same with the other draugr, and once I was done, I could see Hadvar was picking through the the corpse of the thief. At least he didn't trigger the trap door…

My eyes widen, "Uh, Hadvar?" The man looked up, annoyed… understandable. "Let's be careful, there's bound to be more traps around here." The man nodded and finished picking off the thief. Heading to the lower part of the chamber, we walked around the trapped floor piece as I pointed it out to Hadvar. As we saw the swinging axes, two more draugr woken, and taking out my axe, I lunged at the zombie, slamming my axe into it's head before it could've done anything. I look back and saw that Hadvar did the same.

Which turned brought us to our next situation.

"We have to time this right…" the Nord said.

"Or… you can go through and pull the chain on the other side." I said looking at the swinging axes of doom…

"Milk drinker…"

"Shut it you git." He looked at me with raised eyebrow. "Go… go." I said motioning him to go through the swinging axes of doom.

The man only frowned and looked at the axes of doom as they swing. Back and forth, back and… it was then the Nord started sprinting. And as he made it to the other side, an axe almost taking out his leg, he pulled the chain and there was a small chink sound. "I knew you can do it!" I said throwing my hands in the air.

"Let's just get this stone and head back to the village." the Nord said, clearly not liking this one bit.

"Christ man, why do you always have to be a downer…" I said with a smirk.

The man didn't say anything else and we head lower into the keep, occasionally taking out the draugr that were sitting like statues in front of us of all things. Killing the next one in a coffin and grabbing the belongings in a chest, we headed down a stream, deeper into the cavern. We saw our first bit of light since this morning. A waterfall and a creek run below us as we take out the draugr, it didn't stand a chance with Hadvar, which makes me glad that I'm not doing this by myself. We took a quick detour to grab the chest at the creek bed, which took a bit of lockpicking, but I was glad with what I got. A few daggers, a handful of gold and a flawless ruby, definitely worth something.

Taking down the next draugr guarding the gate was tricky, we were quite the distance away, "Of course there's going to be a guard, it's never that easy." I said to myself. I looked over to Hadvar, how has his sword out, guess he's going to be doing the heavy lifting. Putting the bow down and taking the shield off my back, I handed it to Hadvar. "Careful with that one, it knows somekind of ice spell."

"That's good to know." He said, mostly to himself, of course suspicious that I know it but glad that the knowledge is put to good use.

My arrows were notched, and sailed through the air when released, they hit the target, first in the leg, then the creatures hip. It limped to us to attack, but as it got close and with a few more arrows in it, the final killing blow came from Hadvar as he swung his sword across it's head, decapitating it.

I whistled, walking up to Hadvar. "That was easier than I thought, I almost feel bad for it." I said looking at the creature. "Almost…"

the man didn't say a thing, but nod in agreement. As he was walking through the door he turned, "You sound chipper than usual. But any Nord would be afraid when going down here. Don't be afraid laid lad, the Draugr can see it in your eyes." The Legionarre smiled and went on through the door.

I Breathed in, not noticing I've hold my breathe when I heard those words, but shook my head while going through the iron doors. I wonder how much longer this will take? The other side of the door showed many shadows, and a three headed stone figure that had a fire burned brightly. Walking around it and down a more darkened hall, I cursed as I could hear the swinging axes once again. It wasn't until we saw the tunnel with the swinging axes of doom.

This time with twice the swishing power!

I paled at the thought, who in their right mind would build such things, and how in the world could they survive for thousands of years without constant maintenance. Wait magic, magic is the answer…. I'm sure the Draugr would want to repair them again and again. They wouldn't want to do any of that…

I looked over at Hadvar who was already looking at me, a smirk on his face… of course, the son of a bitch…

I dropped the shield and bow, as well as the sword, just having my axe on my side

The timing had to be perfect… one, two, one two one-

I took off, a full on sprint to the other side, and as I leapt for the end, I barely felt the swoosh near my feet. Looking around, my eyes widen in alarm as I see one of those zombies coming down the stairs with it's axe charging right at me. I scrambled to my feet and then pulled down the chain. Turning and leaping to the side, I could hear metal scraping stone. I pulled my axe out and could see the undead charging at me, it's glowing blue eyes shone with its axe over it's head.

An arrow passed through it's head, and the draugr fell to it's side as the momentum of it's charge and the arrow take over. The arrow belonging to Hadvar, and looking at the rest of the chamber, two more draugr jumping into the commotion. Hadvar and I readied our stance, as I blocked the sword of one of the draugrs with my axe. Both of us fighting one on one.

I dodged swings and swung my axe back at my enemy. It's glowing eyes danced along the flame lit torches as it dodges my own swings. Swings of death, the both of us dancing around one another, seeing who would make the first mistake. Stings, small cuts of near misses, as some of the first have been cut, and bits of blood have dropped at my limbs. I'm having been out-skilled or starting to feel the exhaust of today's events.

My heavy breathing and the weight of my weapons are starting to show that as well, and I hope the undead in front of me notices it as well. It was then that a blotch of red blocked a swing at my abdomen, the creature and I turned to see Hadvar blocking the sword of my enemy.

I guess that Hadvar has taken care of the other one…

Looking over to the side I could see the other undead laying on the ground, with a lack of it's head. Hadvar does have much skill than I do, and I can tell that it shows. The man lacks the exhaustion that I have, and seems to be overpowering the undead already.

As we fight two to one, the creature knows that it is defeated as it started to slow on it's tracks. The slice through it's shoulder made the creature hiss in pain… if it was so…

"Drem ahst… Laat…" it spoke and fell to the floor.

The lack of the understanding… only to wish to read my iPhone. To understand the dragon language, and listen to those words once more. But those words will be locked in my head as I pull my axe out of the creature.

I was silent as I stared at the creature, only hearing the footsteps of Hadvar, obviously going up the stairs. Pulling myself together once more, I joined up with Hadvar, going into the next room. we reached it finally. The locked room to use the key, behind it… the Dragonstone… and finally, the key to stall the events of Alduin.

My memory of the puzzle was foggy, it wasn't as easy as the last puzzle, which was right there in front of us. Of course using the Golden Claw was what is needed, what we have, but as for the combination to open the door…

I looked at the drawings on the wall. They were the clue to what opened the door, before simply using the wiki for the game. Looking at each one of them, the puzzle was much easier, unlike the nord beside me, I'm guessing he's waiting for me to figure this one out. Either still suspicious of me or puzzled about the room itself, which I doubt. I'm sure the Legionnaire isn't that dull, the man has picked up at my lack of experience, and took my upbringing as that of a noble, which I must say isn't far from the truth… mostly by the standards of living from my home world.

I shake my head to rid of those thoughts, as I had to focus, and moved the panels by the gate, from top to bottom: bear, moth… owl. Sliding the claw into the center, and turning the key, there was a large click.

The wall suddenly rumbled and the puzzle started encircling the key. I pulled the claw out as the walls suddenly started becoming flatter, the chinks of stone aligning in place. The wall slowly fell, and I suddenly saw the room in front of me. With the two waterfalls on the side, and the word wall at the back of the stairs. The final click of the wall complete, the door was open, and we are finally almost done with this little adventure.


A/N: Hello again, if a little bit of your time, I would like to ask for anyone who would like to help me proofread this fic, and if anybody would like to help me staff the community known as Folklore and Tales of Tamriel, it'll be better than my lazy self to work on it and help it grow into a prosperous community (I think I'm getting fat from all the cheese I've ate...). Simply PM my profile, thank you all.

I would also love to thank you all again to those who are faving or following my fic, especially after throwing it on hautis through all this time. Well I'm already working on Chapter 7 and got the plot out for the later chapters for you all to read. And for the hundredth time, thank you all