Chapter Three

Imagining Dragons

The orchard workers were J'Zhargo, Malborn and Tsavani, who at present were doing what apple pickers do. J'Zhargo could not keep his eyes of off Tsavani; he kept fantasizing about how she looked in the moonlight. Malborn scoffed, for he absolutely hated displays of affection, especially when it came to couples and children. It reminded him too much of what he once had and so he had come to resent anyone who had even a fraction of what he used to possess.

"I was thinking Tsavani" J'Zhargo said as he placed his apples in the basket, "That maybe we could go down to the lake tonight. Show you the beauty of the world."

Tsavani rolled her eyes, she liked J'Zhargo but not enough to do what he was suggesting. If anything she was more willing to go on a "let's be good friends" level than anything else.

Scouts walked up with Samuel behind him. As soon as J'Zhargo and the others saw Scouts they stopped what they were doing, for Scouts, being the household cook was in charge of the orchard.

"Something you need sir?" J'Zhargo asked eagerly

"Not right now J'Zhargo" Scouts answered, "But there is someone that I'd like you to meet."

J'Zhargo looked to Scouts' right and saw Samuel, holding his head up high.

"Hi" Samuel said as he extended his hand, "I'm Samuel."

J'Zhargo was not a fan of children, most Khajiit weren't, Tsavani included.

Malborn mirrored this dislike, for it reminded him of his past.

"Ugh" Malborn groaned, "Please tell me that you have parents. Please tell me that!"

Samuel shook his head, "They're dead" he replied, "Grew up in the Orphanage in Riften."

Malborn silently cursed them to Oblivion

"Samuel is going to be staying with us for a while" Scouts explained, "So play nice."

J'Zhargo and Tsavani huffed, "Yes Dad" they replied sarcastically, "We'll be good."

J'Zhargo was turned on by the fact that Tsavani was thinking the exact same thing as him, so much so that he immediately thought about bringing up the lake again.

Scouts stared at them glaringly and then went to the other side of the orchard. Ghorbash stared at Samuel awkwardly.

"So...what do you like to do?" he asked, hoping to find something that he had in common with the boy.

Samuel thought about it long and hard, "Well let's see...I like to play Kill the Orc, it's a game that me and the others used to play."

"Of course you do" Ghorbash thought to himself, "Because it wouldn't be fun if we were killing a dragon or a giant or something. No let's kill some Orcs yeah that'll be fun..."

Samuel didn't even bother waiting for Ghorbash to protest, "I'll be the Nord King and you be the savage Orc."

Ghorbash shook his head, "No" he replied in disbelief, "This is a racist game."

Samuel seemed indifferent and pressed Ghorbash harder.

Ghorbash groaned, this kid was starting to get on his nerves.

"Malacath please...for me...kill this kid. No one will miss him. Much."

At this a large storm cloud appeared, directly over Samuel's head

"Just kidding" Ghorbash continued, "Just make him less annoying."

A bolt of lightning hit Samuel in the behind, causing the kid to fall over.

Ghorbash couldn't help but laugh to himself.

J'Zhargo kneeled down to Samuel, who leaned intently as if he were expecting something.

"Can I show you something?" J'Zhargo asked, Tsavani and Malborn shook their heads in discontent

"J'Zhargo" Tsavani said warningly, "What did Ivan tell you about using magic?"

J'Zhargo huffed, "Who says that he's the only one who gets to do it? I'm Master Wizard at the College after all; I should get to use magic when I want to use magic."

Malborn groaned, "I would've been better off dead."

J'Zhargo stood up and turned sharply to Malborn, "That can be arranged you know. Just because the Thalmor are gone doesn't mean that people don't want you dead. Plenty of people would love to see your head on a pike."

Tsavani gave a glaring look at Samuel and then back at J'Zhargo.

"J'Zhargo" she said, "There's a boy here. Be courteous!"

J'Zhargo nodded and bowed his head respectfully, "My Lady" he answered, "Forgive me. It is this heat, it has gotten to me. I knew not what I was saying to Malborn."

Tsavani rolled her eyes, "It's not me you should be apologizing to."

J'Zhargo got the hint and turned to Samuel, who stopped him before he could say anything.

"It's alright sir" Samuel said, "I don't mind."

J'Zhargo ruffled Samuel's hair and pulled out a soul gem. J'Zhargo was always in the mood for showing off, even for children. Just because you're not a fan of something doesn't mean that you despise them. There is a difference.

"See this?" he began, "This holds the soul of a great Khajiit. A warrior, a King...my father...he was a great man, a humble man."

Samuel stared at the soul gem, "What was his name?"

J'Zhargo laughed, "J'Zhargo. I took my father's name to honor him. I hope that I can make him proud. I hope that he will see that coming here; to this place was not a mistake."

Samuel smiled, "I don't think it was a mistake. You're here for a reason. Just like anybody."

J'Zhargo knew that Samuel's answer was literal but he took it in a philosophical way.

Scouts came up with a basket full of apples. At the same time, Gunjar came running up, he was panting as if he had ran all the way to Winterhold instead of taking the carriage.

"Scouts" Gunjar said, "There's something you...need to know."

Scouts looked at Gunjar with concern, for he had never seen him like this before.

"What's going on?" Scouts asked, "Is something wrong?"

Gunjar shook his head, "It's Derkeethus. Something happened in the mine, a cave in..."

Scouts didn't want for Gunjar to finish, "Is he dead?"

Gunjar shook his head, "He's fine Scouts. Derkeethus is fine. But its worse, Shahvee and Neertrenaza were visiting him..."

Scouts once again, cut Gunjar off, "Are they-?"

Gunjar shook his head, "No" he replied, "But it's worse than that...Talen-Jei was on his way there when a dragon attacked him."

Scouts was sure that Talen-Jei was dead, for there was no possible way that he could've survived a dragon attack. Still to tell his heart that it was true, he asked anyway.

"Come to think of it" Gunjar said, "Paarthurnax came in at the last second and saved him, brought him back to Riften safe and sound."

Scouts, as well as the others, were extremely confused.

"If no one is dead" Scouts began, "Then why do you look like that just ran the Skyrim Olympiad?"

Gunjar shook his head, for he still wasn't done yet. Before Gunjar had a chance to speak Ghorbash stepped in

"Gunjar" he said, "Is it really something?"

Gunjar nodded. Ghorbash allowed him to continue

"The dark elves and the Argonians have called a truce" Gunjar stated, "The Kings of Black Marsh and Morrowind are signing the treaty as we speak."

This actually was good news, for Scouts had something that he had been meaning to do in the event that such a thing occurred in his lifetime.

"Gunjar" Scouts said sternly, "I need you to take me to Winterhold. There's something that I need to do."

Gunjar stared at Scouts curiously, but the Argonian's stare told him otherwise and sent him to the carriage. Gunjar sulked at the prospect of returning to Winterhold, for he just got back from the ruined city no less than five minutes ago and he was already going back. It was going to be a long journey that was for sure.

Hadvar and Odahviing landed on the dragon landing pad, as soon as he got the chance Hadvar jumped off the dragon's back, thankful that he was on solid ground once again. Samuel, who saw this, came running up.

"Wow" he said eagerly, "Can I have a ride?"

Odahviing laughed heartedly, "Of course little Samuel. Any time you want. But let me rest my haunches first, it's been a long day."

Ghorbash and J'Zhargo came up from behind

"Steward" Odahviing continued, "I left a bundle of fish in the usual place. You don't mind getting it do you?"

Ghorbash shook his head, "I don't mind at all Odahviing. Not at all..." Ghorbash turned to Samuel, "See you later okay?"

Samuel responded with a quick embrace with Ghorbash uncomfortably returned. He then went on his way down the road to retrieve the fish.

Odahviing turned to J'Zhargo, "And how do you fit into our little family hmm? What role will you play?"

J'Zhargo stared at the dragon in confusion. Odahviing told Samuel to go inside, he obediently did so. Once that was done, Odahviing explained the situation to J'Zhargo and Hadvar, who was resting in a nearby chair within earshot.

"So it's just until he finds a family?" Hadvar asked, wanting to make sure that he knew the terms.

Odahviing nodded

"And we're doing this because?" J'Zhargo added

"You would condemn a boy to die alone in the streets?" Odahviing said asking a question of his own, "If he is going to die let him die with a family that loves him. And if he doesn't have that, then let him die surrounded by people who love him enough that they would be willing, without a second thought, to sacrifice themselves as Martin did...People who would go happily knowing that he is safe and will live another day."

J'Zhargo thought it over for a few moments; in his mind the idea was insane. He wouldn't go so far as to punish the kid by sending him away, for he wasn't cruel. J'Zhargo just found the whole thing to be unnecessary. He was afraid that by agreeing, he would become attached to Samuel and that was something that he was not ready to do. J'Zhargo decided to remain out of the "family" and would simply support Samuel as a close friend would.

Hadvar thought that it would be fun to play the part of cousin. In this instance, he would be "related" to Odahviing, who took it upon himself to not only watch over Samuel but to watch over Hadvar with this decision, like any uncle would do.

Paarthurnax appeared a few hours later, Hadvar, Ghorbash, J'Zhargo and Tsavani were picking apples. Odahviing was singing a song to himself.

I see the colors of the world they're rearranging

The set of sentinels are cunning estranging all.

I think a little about a lot, I'm introverted

You think a lot about a little never heard it

All...of our energy

Bring these words to life.

(Imagine Dragons: Destination)

Paarthurnax was carrying a mammoth and seemed to be struggling. Odahviing didn't even know that Paarthurnax was strong enough to lift such a creature-he wasn't. The aging dragon was barely holding his own. Odahviing, seeing that he was the only able to do anything, flew up to help him.

"I can get it" Paarthurnax said as he wheezed, his wings flapping irregularly.

"Nonsense Paarthurnax" Odahviing replied as he grabbed the mammoth's head, and shifted the majority of the weight on himself, "You'll" Odahviing took a breath, for the mammoth was extremely heavy. "Kill yourself if you lift it on your own!"

Paarthurnax huffed, "Since when did you care about my well being?"

Odahviing sighed, deeply hurt

Paarthurnax immediately realized the harshness of his words, for Odahviing was only trying to be helpful.

"I'm sorry." Paarthurnax answered, "I haven't been well lately"

"Are you sick?" Odahviing said, his voice ridden with worry and concern

"Deathly ill" Paarthurnax replied, "Don't worry. Akatosh will come for me when he comes for me. Until then...I'll be where I've always been, by my friends."

Odahviing and Paarthurnax set the mammoth next to the orchard. J'Zhargo, Tsavani and Hadvar ran over to see where it was the dragons got it from but before they could get there, Odahviing and Paarthurnax headed off to the Throat of the World to take consul with each other.

Two hours later Paarthurnax and Odahviing returned, the day was just rearing its head towards evening hours.

Hadvar and J'Zhargo were busy cutting the mammoth. Ivan was busy with Hermaeus Mora, who was a regular visitor to Lakeview Manor. Hermaeus, to fit in with society, disguised himself as Miraak.

"What do you this time?" Ivan asked rather annoyingly, for he had had enough of the Daedric Lord all the way back when Septimus Signus was involved.

"Just your cooperation" Mora answered, "I need you to get a certain book for me, a Black Book that I misplaced some time ago...in Solstheim."

"No" Ivan replied sternly, "I've had enough of that ash, I've had enough of the Dark Elves and I've had enough of the Skaal treating me like I'm some walking deathtrap to humanity. I'm done with that cursed island and I'm done being your Champion. Go find someone else...preferably someone stupid that way they're sure to get the job done."

Mora was extremely insulted by this, he wanted to kill Ivan like he had done so many others, but he was bound by an oath not to harm the Dragonborn or anyone in his household and if it was one thing that Mora loved more than killing people it was making binding deals.

"Damn you" Mora hissed, "Fine, if that's how you're going to be, let's see how Malog Bal feels about this."

Ivan huffed, "You can tell Malog Bal to kiss my ass" he replied

"Believe me" Mora said as he disappeared, "I will."

Ivan flipped Mora the middle finger just as the last bit of him went back to Oblivion. At the same time Ghorbash came back down the road.

"Great" Ghorbash said, thinking that Ivan's gestured was towards him, "Now I have an excuse."

Ghorbash flipped Ivan off without a second thought

"That's right" Ghorbash cried, "Fuck you buddy!"

Ivan heard this and gave Ghorbash a glaring look.

"FUS RO DAH!"

Ghorbash was then knocked off of his feet and pushed back all the way to Pinewatch, a considerable distance from the Manor. He returned covered in sticks and with a broken arm.

"Isn't that a little extreme sir?" the Orc asked

"Yeah" Ivan answered in differently, "But you flipped me off so...don't care."

Ghorbash huffed and followed Ivan inside. Hadvar and the others soon followed.

Ghorbash had J'Zhargo and Hadvar help in getting an extra table in the main hall. It would be a tight fit, but it would make do.

Ivan looked around and noticed that Scouts and Gunjar were nowhere to be found, which was odd for they were always at dinner, Scouts was a requirement being that he was the cook.

"Scouts went to Windhelm Dovahkiin" Paarthurnax answered from outside, someone having neglected to put the wall up, "I saw him go on my way here. He'll be back in the morning."

"Great" Ivan exclaimed sarcastically, "Now who's going to cook the food?"

Samuel immediately volunteered, wanting to prove himself to Ivan. Ivan denied him.

"Come on Ivan" Tsavani chastised, "Let the boy help. He won't hurt anything."

Tsavani, who had experience in kitchens, stood up and made her way towards it, "Dinner will be ready in a half hour" she said looking back, "Come on Samuel, I'm going to show you how to cook for the Thalmor."

Ivan was immediately insulted by this; everyone else knew exactly what Tsavani was talking about, the statement more of a general one than one directed at Ivan himself. Ivan obviously did not see it that way and turned towards J'Zhargo.

"She's getting on my nerves cat" Ivan answered, "Calling me a dirty elf! How dare she? You better set her right."

J'Zhargo shook his head, "I'm sorry but I won't do that."

"Then you have no place here J'Zhargo" Ivan continued, "You and that bitch Tsavani are wasting my money, my time and my patience. Get out of here!"

J'Zhargo remained motionless.

"So that's how it's going to be?" Ivan asked

"Yeah" J'Zhargo said standing up as he prepared himself, "It is."