A Night in Windhelm

It could be rather tiring being the Dragonborn. It seemed no sooner had I completed one task, I was straight on to the other. It was like some malevolent force had created this elaborate set of tasks for me to follow just so I wouldn't get bored. Or rest. But still, at least I was keeping fit, meeting new people, seeing new places and learning how not to die better. That was something.

I had just reported to Arch-Mage Aren about what J'zargo and I had discovered down in the Midden. At first, he was mildly amused at the idea of finding the legendary Staff of Magnus and thought I was pulling another of my jokes. But once I told him the information came from the Augur of Dunlain, he took it more seriously. He said that I should speak to Mirabelle Ervine, the Master Wizard of the College, who had mentioned the subject before.

He was also impressed with my initiative and gave me a mage's circlet set in with sapphires as a reward, which I now wore proudly on my head. It had an enchantment that fueled one's magicka levels, giving me more energy as well as my own. It certianly made me feel more powerful as a result and I was very grateful for it.

I had then gone to speak with Mirabelle about the Staff of Magnus. After telling her why I had asked, she had told me a group of Synod, a sort of Imperial group of mages, had been to the College a few months ago, asking questions about the Staff and the ruins of Mzulft. I guessed they were Dwarven ruins before she told me, judging from the name. She'd told me to start there but warned me they might not be cooperative.

So I was now packing my travel bag with essentials for a trip to the city of Windhelm. It was closest to Mzulft. I had already learned it's location and marked it on my map. I'd recovered from the worst of my injuries recieved from J'zargo's flame cloak test so I was fine for travelling. And, just in case I wasn't, I wouldn't be going alone.

"Are you ready Sauron?" I turned at the sweet sound of Brelyna's voice to see her already packed. She had a bow and a quiver of arrows rested on her back.

"Almost, just one last thing..." I fixed in my own bow and arrows and slung it on my back.

It was of elven make, complete with elven arrows. The bow itself had been enchanted so that every arrow fired from it would drain the magicka of whatever I was aiming at. I was fairly decent with a bow, I could at least summon the energy to pull the string, aim and fire. I preferred to use it as backup rather than my main weapon. That was magic. Also a dagger made of iron, that hung from my belt. The only blade I used, even then when I didn't have the magicka to cast anymore spells.

"Alright then," I said, standing up and turning to face her, "let's get going." Holding the door for her as we left, we walked across the bridge and into Winterhold.

With J'zargo and Onmund remaining behind to watch Ancano, it only made sense to have Brelyna with me to watch my back. Not only was she good company but she was the only person who knew I was the Dragonborn. That meant I could use my abilities to my full potential to help us in our search of Mzulft.

"So, we go there, ask the Synod if they know anything about the Staff and report back?" she asked, as we neared a carriage at the entrance to the city.

"In a nutshell, yes," I confirmed. "But it'll be dark by the time we get there. So, we spend the night at an inn there and travel to Mzulft in the morning."

"Are you sure you're up for this?" she asked. When she first saw me after the explosion, I thought she might faint with worry. "If you're still hurting, you can stay here..."

"I'm fine, better now," I told her. "But thanks for your concern. I appreciate it."

"Well, someone has to make sure you're not blown to pieces again," she joked. I could still hear the sense of worry in her voice though. I payed it no mind as I helped her up onto the carriage, offering her my hand which she took gently.

"Your seat, m'lady," I bowed in my poshest voice.

"Thank you, good sir," she replied, with a curtsy, sitting herself down next to me. "Windhelm please," she told the driver, paying him the necessary gold.

"Right-o," he said, flicking the reins and moving along the road at a steady pace. "We'll be there in a couple of hours." Nodding to him, Brelyna turned to face me again as we started to trundle along the road. Seeing as how the journey would take a while, this would be a good time for us to talk a little more as friends.

"I've never seen you with that dagger before," she pointed to the weapon on my belt.

"I suppose not," I replied, unhooking it and holding it in my hand. "I never really saw a reason to bring it before. But, then again, I've never seen you with that bow either."

"Touche," she said. She had taken it off for the journey and it was now laid on her lap. "My parents wanted me to focus on my magic. They were always pushing me, but my grandfather was more understanding." She smiled fondly at the mention of him.

"That's nice to know," I remarked. "Did he teach you how to use that?"

"He did, yes. It was his, he gave it to me when I was ten. He was never around a lot but, when he was, he taught me all he knew about using the bow. Here..." She handed it to me gently.

Proud to know that she trusted me with such a precious item, I held it up. It was a very fine make. The wood was supple, easily bent but not easily broken. It was well cared for, the wire was tough and strong. Clearly a lot of work had gone into making and caring for it. Brelyna must cherish it greatly, I thought. I handed it back to her carefully.

"It's a good bow. How are you with it?"

"Fairly decent, I'd say," she replied modestly. "Like I said, I focus more on magic. I'll bet you're better than me with yours."

"I'm pretty much the same," I told her, my eyes flicking to my weapon. "I focus more on magic than archery. The only difference is I taught myself from fifteen and I picked up some training from a member of the Companions."

My bow seemed rather shaming compared to hers. I'd found it in a chest in a dungeon and it had seen quite a bit of action. The enchantment on it had almost worn off and it had plenty of notches, from battles and a little of my own carelessness. I felt a little embarrassed to show her it.

"You taught yourself?" She sounded rather in awe of that. "That's pretty impressive." I felt myself blush a little at that. "Who was the Companion that taught you?"

"Aela the Huntress," I said. "She didn't look like much, but she was as fierce as a wolf and deadly with a bow." I smiled inwardly as I knew I wasn't just speaking metaphorically there.

"A woman?" It sounded an innocent enough question, but there was a strain in her voice. "That's... interesting."

"I suppose. She was the one who gave me this too," I added, gesturing to the dagger. "She used to joke it was the only blade I could use without falling over."

"Oh. Right..." There was a tone in her voice I couldn't make out. She had also looked away from me, occasionally glancing back, lost in her thoughts. I think. "You were... close?"

"We were friends, if that's what you mean. I don't she was interested in me anymore than that, if she was she never said anything."

"Oh, good." She turned back to me again and there was a faint smile on her lips.

"Why is that good?" When I asked, her cheeks flushed and she became very interested in her shoes.

"No reason," she mumbled. This was rather odd.

Why had she asked about me and Aela? Did she want to know if we were ever serious? Was she jealous. I thought maybe it was too much to hope that my fellow Dunmer had any kind of strong feelings for me, but that seemed to be the sign that she gave off. We were good friends but... was she interested in me? Like that?

At the minute, the atmosphere had become rather tense and awkward from talking about this, so I decided to change the subject to alleviate her embarrassment And my own. I racked my brains for something that could keep us occupied for the remainder of the journey, then I struck an idea.

"Do you like riddles?" She seemed just as grateful for the subject change. Her blush lessened and she looked back at me.

"Once again, you seem to know just what to say," she said with a smile, echoing her words in Saarthal. "Yes, I enjoy riddles. You first?"

"Very well." I thought for a moment. "What must be broken before it can be used?"

"Easy. An egg," she answered instantly. "Okay then... What goes round the house and in the house, but never touches the house?"

"Hmmm..." That was a good one. With new riddles, it took me many minutes before I could form an answer. Even then, it was most likely wrong. "Um... dust?"

"Nope. Come on, think." She was encouraging me but not spoon-feeding the answer. "It doesn't touch the house..."

"Let's see, um..." I thought long and hard, but nothing I could think of seemed right. "I'm sorry, I give up."

"It's sunlight, you big idiot!" She giggled as she said it, playfully rapping my skull. "All the dragons need to do is pose you riddles and our world is doomed."

"Hey!" I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Give me another, I'll try harder."

"Very well..." She sat in thought for a while. "What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?"

So the riddle was set. This time, I was going to think about it carefully and not just give up. Okay, once in a minute... twice in a moment... a lover's kiss? No, that seemed a little too literal. Something to do with time? No, none of the known units seemed to fit. Maybe something in the words... in the words... of course, that's it!

"The letter 'm'!" I answered proudly. The letter came once in a minute, twice in a moment but neither 'thousand' nor 'years' had the letter spelled in it.

"Well done, you do have a brain," she said with a grin.

"All right, here's my one." This would get her, I hoped. "What is greater than the gods, worse than the Daedra? Higher than high, lower than low? The dead eat it and if we eat it, we die."

"Never heard that one before. Let me see..." She rested her fingers on her chin, deep in thought.

I remember when my father first asked me that riddle, when I was eight years old. I spent a whole week trying to figure out the answer, all the while desperately begging him for some kind of clue. The only thing he would say was that nothing would make him tell me the answer, always winking as he did. I didn't realise then, but the answer was in his hint.

I was very proud when I eventually figured it out. I doubted Brelyna would take as long as I did with the riddle, but I would soon see. She spent about fifteen minutes thinking, before looking to me, defeated.

"You've stumped me with this one," she said.

"There's nothing you can think of?" I asked her, giving her a wink. She flushed a little, but was confused at the gesture.

"No, I can't..." Then, realisation hit her. "Of course! Nothing!"

"Exactly!"

"I have to admit, that's a good riddle. Okay, how about..."

We went on like that, exchanging riddles back and forth with each other. Even the driver, who's name was Sven, got involved in our battle of wits and he gave a few head-scratches too. It wasn't long before night began to fall and I looked onward to see we had arrived at our destination.

As we traveled by the flowing stream, we could see the battlements of a great city of stone emerging from out of the darkness. On the bank of the river it stood, standing out among the mountain. A large bridge could be seen, creating a path into the mighty settlement that seemed to truly reflect the hardy and war-like Nord spirit. We had arrived at Windhelm.

Thanking Sven for his services, we crossed over the bridge and past the stables, under the arches of the gateways and through the ornately carved doors into the city. It was fairly overgrown as we came in and had a rather... depressing feel about it, like nobody really cared about this place very much.

Maybe things would be a little more welcoming when we got inside. I shouldn't judge places or people on appearances. But even when we entered the snow-ridden courtyard, it wasn't exactly uplifting Everything had a grey, mundane look to it and wasn't very welcoming at all. Or it could be the incident that greeted us when we opened the door.

A woman, a Dunmer I was pleasantly surprised to discover, was in something of a tiff with two men. Nords, judging by their accents. And their attitude towards her. As in offensive, antagonistic and racist. I missed Onmund already. Brelyna and I exchanged a look, nodded and strode over.

"You come here where you're not wanted," one of the Nords was saying, "you eat our food, you pollute our city with your stink and you refuse to help the Stormcloaks!"

"But," the woman began nervously, "we haven't taken a side because it's not our fight."

"Hey," the other man said to his friend, "maybe the reason these grey-skins don't help in the war is because they're Imperial spies!" Okay, this had gone on long enough.

"And what right or proof do you have to accuse her of that?" I asked, striding over and standing by her side. Brelyna flanked around the other.

"Oh another pair of dirty grey-skins, eh?" I met the man's steely gaze and stared defiantly at him. "This isn't your business, now clear off."

"Let's not go accusing people of things we can't prove," I reasoned calmly. "Why don't you let this woman get on with her business and leave her alone. We'll head to the tavern, I'll buy you two gentlemen a pint of mead. How does that sound?"

"You think you can just buy me over with a few drinks?" He responded angrily. "Trying to get me drunk enough to learn all of the Stormcloak's secrets? Well, it won't work!"

"Looks like I was right, they are filthy spies! All of them!" They both raised their fists. "Let's take 'em outside and show 'em what we think of spies."

"Sirs, we're not spies and we're not trying to trick you," Brelyna stepped in. I could tell she was trying as hard as she could to keep her voice steady. "We're just asking you to leave this woman alone and to stop being so offensive."

"But if you decide to result to brute force, please take this into account," I stepped a little closer, as did my companion. "We are mages, trained at the College of Winterhold. In fact, my friend here is one of a long line of a family of powerful mages in Morrowind. She has the power to banish you both to the planes of Oblivion. So, unless you want to spend eternity in the company of Merhunes Dagon, I suggest you leave. Now."

"You're bluffing," said one, although he was clearly shaken. "You can't do that."

"Try me," Brelyna said, in a low, threatening voice. She scared me a little. They stood for about a minute, then relaxed.

"Come on Rolff," he murmured making moves to leave. "These two ain't worth it." He looked at me with a vengeful glare in his eye. "This ain't over, grey-skin." With that, they both swaggered away. Satisfied, I turned to the woman, who looked relieved and thankful.

"Thank you," the Dunmer said. "Those two brutes, they're always at it. Just come from Morrowind?"

"Winterhold," answered Brelyna. "We've been to the College. I'm Brelyna Maryon of House Telvanni."

"Sauron Dredena," I introduced, shaking the woman's hand. "A pleasure to meet you, miss..."

"Atheron. Suvaris Atheron. I appreciate your efforts, but they'll be at it again soon enough."

"They do that often?" I asked her. I knew Nords could be offensive to other races, I had experience of that.

"Nost Nords don't take kindly to outsiders, but Rolff is the worst by far," she explained. "Sometimes, he gets drunk and yells insults in the Grey Quarter in the early hours of the morning."

"What a charming man." She chuckled appreciatively. "Why would he think Dunmer are Imperial spies?"

"Not just with the Dunmer, I hear they make a target of the Argonians too. It seems they'll give any reason to despise us. Basically, anyone who isn't a Nord is fair game for their bullying." She sighed disappointingly. "Well, I've got work to do. Enjoy your stay in Windhelm, for what it's worth."

"Thank you and watch your back," I told her. She gave me a knowing look before heading off to the city's docks. "It's a good thing we're only staying the night," I murmured in aside to Brelyna. She nodded in agreement.

"You'd better watch your back too," she said to me. "That Rolff will be after you before long."

"Believe me, I've grappled with far worse than him," I assured her, though I did feel a little concerned myself.

Rolff didn't seem like the kind of man who liked to have his pride hurt, nor being threatened by someone that he considered to be inferior. I had a feeling that I'd have another run in with him before the day was out and it wasn't going to be a meeting with sweetrolls and mead as appetisers. I put it out of my mind for now.

"Okay," she replied. "Also... 'banish them to the plains of Oblivion?" she asked incredulously, giggling at the ridiculousness of the threat.

"I needed to scare him off!" I protested, feeling my face grow hot. "It was the first thing that came to my head. It worked, didn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose it did," she agreed, still giggling. "Should head to inn now?"

"Actually, let's have a look around. There's something I want to settle," I said mysteriously. At least, I hope I did.

We set off to explore. The rest of the city looked just as depressing and dull as I thought it did. It just didn't feel very welcoming to any but those who lived here. A suitable reflection of Nord hospitality to outsiders, I thought. Of all the places in the city, however, there was one place that was worst of all.

The Grey Quarter, as it was colloquially known, where my people were being forced to live. It smelled like a Necromancer's lab and looked just as bad. It was, for wont of better phrase, a slum. The buildings were run down and not well cared for and so were it's occupants. The Dunmer living there all looked sullen and sour, grumbling to themselves or each other about their living conditions and injustices.

While I did feel pity for them, I also felt a little frustrated. The Nords were people who led by actions and hard work. If the Dunmer living here wanted to have a better reception, they'd need to start contributing something to the welfare of the city, get some kind of work. All they seemed to do was complain. I guessed some things never changed.

That didn't, however, excuse their living conditions and how they were being treated. Ulfric seemed to be deliberately ignoring their plight and need for better homes. This was why I myself hadn't taken a side in the war. It was either the Empire, who tried to kill me and force their way into this land or the Stormcloaks, narrow-minded hostile and offensive to outsiders.

When we reached the ancient and impressive Palace of the Kings, I found what I'd been looking for and hoped would be here: a target dummy was planted to the left of the doors into the main hall. Bullseyes were painted on the head, chest and hands. Perfect, I thought, just what I need.

"Okay, here we go," I said, jogging to the target and pulling out my bow. "It's time to see who's the best archer: you or me." Brelyna looked a little confused at the suggestion.

"What is there to settle?" she asked, sounding a little embarrassed. "It's clear you're gonna be better, you have more experience than me and more training. What's the point?"

"You never know until you see," I told her. "Come on, have a little confidence. It'll be fun, just a little friendly competition." She still looked rather unsure. After a while though, she gave me a smile.

"All right then." She pulled out her grandfather's bow and strung an arrow. "Just don't expect me to go easy on you."

"Funny, I was about to say the same." I stood back to give her some space. She breathed slowly and raised the bow. She pulled the arrow back, aimed carefully and loosed it. The arrow struck the dummy's chest with a loud thunk. Satisfied, she stood back with me.

"Beat that," she dared. I grinned and took my place.

I pulled out an arrow, stringing it in. The wind was blowing behind me, so that would help a lot. I felt my arm shake as I increased the tension of the wire. I steadied myself as best I could and looked down the arrow. My breathing was slow and deliberate. All else was canceled out. It was just me, the arrow and the target. I fired. The arrow hit dead on the head.

"Well done!" Brelyna applauded, though looking a little downcast. "I guess that's settled then..."

"Not yet," I told her. I reached into my bag and pulled out a red apple. I carefully placed it on the dummy's head, yanking out the other arrows and stepped back. "This will settle it."

I prepared to let fly another arrow, taking aim once more. I could probably hit it, if I aimed carefully enough. But I wasn't going to. I would let Brelyna have this one, won her own merits. I fired and the arrow missed, bouncing off the stone wall and landing on the floor with a clatter.

"Damn!" I looked at her, trying best to look downcast. "Your turn."

"But..." She looked completely unsure. "If you can't hit it, what chance do I have?"

"Every chance. You'll never know unless you try." I bowed and gestured. "Whenever you're ready, Miss Maryon."

Slowly, she stepped up and placed another arrow. She looked back at me, still unconfident and unsure. I gave her my best smile and that seemed to be all she needed. She once again raised her arrow, holding her aim for longer than last time. I waited with baited breath. Even some guards nearby looked over with interest. Like me, she appeared to cancel out everything else. She was in her own element.

She was like this for two more minutes. She tensed, relaxed and fired. The arrow soared through the air in what felt like slow motion... and struck the apple right in the middle. It shot off the head of the dummy, breaking open as it landed on the ground. Some of the guards cheered and I felt a massive grin appear on my face.

"Yes! You did it!" Despite my words, Brelyna stood in utter shock. Like she couldn't believe that she had made the shot. "Brelyna? You okay?"

She turned slowly to me. "I hit it... I can't believe it... I hit it!" She almost screamed this last bit and caught me in a tight embrace. I almost fell over from the force of it. I relaxed into it, gently holding her in my arms.

"Well done, I knew you could do it," I said to her. "Now, how about we go and celebrate?"

"I still can't believe I managed to hit it..." Brelyna smiled proudly and took another sip of wine from her mug. I said nothing, just smiling.

We were sitting in Candlehearth Hall, upstairs by the fire. We had payed the sum of twenty Septims for our two separate rooms, after a bit of glaring from the innkeeper Elda and a murmuring that the last thing Windhelm needed was more dark elves. We pretended no to hear her.

To celebrate Brelyna's achievement and to wind down for the evening, I had bought her a bottle of Alto Wine. She didn't care much for mead, she said, too sweet. We both shared a liking for the wine, so it was five pieces well spent I felt. We now sat in the warm glow of the fire together.

I watched the glow of the fire as it danced around her face, illuminating her features. She seemed to glow with an almost eerie beauty, like a ball of magelight. Her eyes glittered like rubies in the sun. Her skin looked so smooth and soft, as did her lips and I imagined them drawing closer to mine, gently-

I shook my head. Where did all that come from? The wine must be getting to my head, I thought, embarrassed at myself. I musn't be thinking clearly, getting distracted...

"Sauron? Are you okay?" I felt myself grow even warmer.

"Y-yes, I'm fine," I replied, feeling foolish. I heard her giggle in that sweet way she did. When I looked up, she was gazing at me intently.

"You know, I've never met anyone quite like you before." Why was she looking at me like that? "You're funny, good-natured and kind. You have this sense of right, to do the right thing. You're always willing to help your friends, no matter what. You've done so much for me, made my life so much better than it ever has been."

"Yes well..." I had no idea she thought that about me. "I'm just trying to be a good friend..."

"You're so modest." She did that smile that loved so much. Wait, loved? Hold on a minute, why had I thought that? "So modest... and handsome." Now I really felt red in the face.

"Brelyna, I think you're drunk..." She wasn't thinking straight either. This was her third mug after all and she didn't seem like a heavy drinker. "I think you've had enough to drink for tonight."

"Such a gentleman too..." She sighed and giggled again, spilling some wine on the floor. "Oops. I guess you're right... mind taking me to my room?"

"Sure." I helped her stand up and began to move her towards the stairs. She stumbled a little and almost fell, but I caught and steadied her. We were about to start walking down until...

"Hey! You!" I sighed frustratedly and turned to see Rolff pointing at me, glaring with malice. "I've got more than a few bones to pick with you, grey-skin!"

"Stay here," I whispered to her. Then, to Rolff, walking slowly towards him: "Look, I'd rather not do this right now. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way but you were threatening that woman. How about we just forget about this? I'm gonna be gone in the morning anyway so what's the point. Now, my friend has had quite a bit to drink, so if you'll excuse me..."

"That's cowards talk!" He shot back. "What's the matter? Too scared to fight me man-to-man, eh? You weak-livered, milk-drinking gray-skin!" I tried not to let his words get to me, but I felt the anger rising in my chest.

"Rolff, just calm down..." I said reasonably, feeling aware that everyone was staring at us. "Let's not resort to name-calling. We're all men here (Although it's debatable in your case, I wanted to say), so why don't we just let this blow over. Okay?"

"Shut it you! Let's go, come on!" In the end, the only thing that 'blew over' was his fist over my head as I ducked from the punch he threw.

The patrons watched and began to call and jeer as I danced a deadly dance with my Nord opponent. He had clearly been drinking too, as his blows were unfocused and often missed. He stumbled occasionally and seemed to be trying his best to stand straight.

Luckily, I was far more quick and agile, able to anticipate his clumsy attacks and dodge them with ease. Okay, there was the odd close call here and there but I managed to keep my distance. And my head. All the while, I tried to make him see sense but he refused stubbornly.

"Fight back you runt!" He seemed to be running out of puff. Unfortunately, so was I. "What's the matter? Afraid you'll lose in front of that whore of a friend?" That made my blood boil. He noticed that got a reaction and ranted on. "Don't know where you picked that one up. She's just as filthy and dirty as you. When I'm done with you, she'll be next that little-" His words were cut off as my fist flew into his face and sent him reeling.

"Don't you ever, EVER talk that way about her!" I was surprised at myself. And my strength. My fist throbbed, but I didn't care. He seemed surprised too, but regained his wits and came at me again.

We were at it again but this time I fought back. The rush felt good, feeling my fists break on his face. All of his blows missed, but mine were true. It was after my fifth-landed punch that he seemed to be close to submission. Good, I was getting tired of this.

"That... all you've got..." He swayed and swaggered. "I've had... children... hit me harder than that..."

"If that's where you learned to fight, no wonder you're so poor," I retorted with a grin. He screamed and began to charge-

Then a bottle smashed over his head. He stood stunned before collapsing in a heap on the floor, his head dripping wet with wine. Brelyna stood over him, a broken bottle of Alto Wine in her hand. She looked around at the patrons, who were all as stunned as me.

"I just wanted the pleasure of doing that myself," she proclaimed, to roars of laughter.

They cheered and clapped, two others coming forward and dragging away Rolff, who was murmuring and mumbling nonsense.. I smiled and took a bow, Brelyna curtsying I offered her my arm and she looped hers through it, leading her to the door of her room.

"Thanks for the help," I said sincerely.

"No problem. Least I could do..." She looked up at me, with that same intent stare.

I gazed deeply into her eyes. Those pools of ruby-red looked right back into mine, burning with something I'd never seen before. I was only vaguely aware that we were drawing closer. Her face was rising slowly up to me. I could feel my heart pounding against my chest. We were so close...

"Oi, you two!" We jumped apart, our cheeks flushed. Elda was glaring at us. "Quit hanging around in the hall like that. Either get into your rooms or get out of the way." Shaking her head, she stalked off upstairs. I looked sheepishly at Brelyna.

"Well... um..." That moment was dead then. If there was a moment. "Um... good-night, Brelyna."

"Good-night, Sauron..." She was staring shyly at her shoes again. Feeling disappointed, I turned to enter my room. "Hold on, one more thing." I turned back to her.

She leaned up and planted a kiss on each of my cheeks. "That's for standing up for me today. Twice." I was graced once more with that wonderful smile, as well as a lingering burning where she'd kissed me. "Good-night, Dovahkiin."

With one last sweet giggle, she entered her room and shut the door, leaving me to wonder what exactly just happened.