Preview from last chapter:

The mage grabbed his mug and chugged down, smashing it down and locking eyes with me. I've never seen that look before. What's he thinking about?

"Let's break up." He said, awfully calmly.

My whole body froze.

This can't be happening!


Eh, what's this? I touched my face, only to feel moistness. Tears?

Ondolemar panicked. "Don't cry! That's not what I meant!" He stifled my cries as he walked behind the table and hugged me, kissing the tears away. "I should watch how I phrase my words. What I meant was that we should split up for the battle. I'll cover the ground and you'll cover the sky."

Now that the disaster that almost stopped my heart was averted, I gaped like a fish at him. "From above? You don't mean?"

He let go, gesticulating. "You are Dragonborn, for gods' sake! You defeated Alduin, that means all dragons must obey you. Simply tell them how things are and if they still refuse to help, tell them about the worlds the Wild Hunt has destroyed and doomed. If they don't want to end up frozen to death, they will help us."

I've never heard so much crazy talk. Dragons will never obey me. Not all. There are over sixty in Skyrim and that may be about it. Paarthurnax was the closest they had to a leader and he... died for me. How can I convince dragons to help me? They won't listen, will they?

When I was presented with an idea of a speech by Nissale, I turned it down, because I suck at speeches and diplomatic speeches or motivational speeches? Out of question!

"As I've told Nissale, I'm bad at diplomacy. Imagine me having a debate with the dragons who half of them hate me for killing their boss, Alduin. Catch my drift yet?"

Ondolemar shook head, crossing his arms in defiance. "Then make them listen to you. Your Thu'um is supposed to be the strongest in the world. They have to listen to you."

He doesn't get the picture. "Dragons cannot be so easily persuaded. They hate dealing with mortals, I can guarantee that."

"Stop being so pessimistic, Fin. That's my specialty." He approached me and made me stand up, joining hands with me. He closed eyes. "I'm sending you alone, but I have no doubts you will come back with them. In the meantime, I'll help with setting up the barrier. The scale shall be enormous, so it'll take me and the your friends a whole day. A day you'll use to gain the dragons for our cause. If we fail, all Tamriel is lost."

I didn't like it, but I understood the importance of his words. "Will they pass through the barrier?"

"You'll be flying, not teleporting. The barrier won't hinder your winged friends in the slightest. Now, you should go. We're losing daylight."

I'm leaving alone, without him to recruit dragons. I have to see the bigger picture here. My convenience or not, help is needed. His lips curled in a smile, he cupped my face and kissed me. I reciprocated, unwilling to go away from him. He's safe here. All these people here will watch out for him.

Sadly, I had to go.

I've gathered all my equipment and then, someone came in without announcing their entry. It was Divayth. "Good. I knew you'd be leaving soon. Getting help from dragons is a sensible plan and something the enemy isn't expecting from us. They know next to nothing about Tamriel and its dragons aren't mindless monsters."

"You knew I would go for them?"

"Naturally, myself and Neloth reached the conclusion you'll go and ask for their support. Believe in your Thu'um and come back with them."

They all think so highly of me. Now I can't back out.

I nodded and left tent, legs taking me from the camp as fast as I could. I should leave at least four miles between myself and encampment before summoning Odahviing.

Out of sight of curious soldiers, I sped up, running. No time for contemplating over how I'll convince dragons. Improvising was always my way of doing things, anyway.


Fin's hair flew by as he left, I could feel his resolve. Once he sets his mind on something, he does it, delivering results. Right, I should aim to do the same.

I turned attention to the sorcerer, who was undoubtedly here to ask for my help with barrier. "If you're here about the barrier, I was on my way there. I can't sit back and leave all the work to Fin, it would sully my dignity and pride. I'll follow you to the big tent. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I wasn't Commander for nothing."

Condescending look that I didn't like for some reason. "I warn you, for all of Glorfindel's friends are curious about you. You will get probably many stares."

"They can stare all they want. If Fin wants to tell them, he will after this war is over. Now back to business at hand, are we going or not?"

Divayth shortly nodded and I followed the sorcerer.


If I am going to meet the dragons, I should choose someplace... isolated. Throat of the World... I glanced back at the encampment. One dragon should be nearby. The sarcastic snowy hunter.

I ran for the hills, not slowing down until I reached a clearing. I cleared my throat. I've been so long in Skyrim, damn ash is making my voice raspy. "Odahviing!"

Waiting, insufferable waiting. Maybe it wasn't loud enough. One more time? "ODAHVIING!"

It's force reminded me of that time Greybeards summoned me. How much has changed since then... I sat down on a stump, waiting for him. Not that, that must have heard everyone in Morrowind and Solstheim. Granted, he's on either, the dragon heard it.

Daylight was shifting towards the night. I can't wait for him forever. I should have been on the way an hour ago! Impatiently, I tapped the ground, pondering about what I should do next. A roar severed the sky and I looked up with hopes it was him.

There was no mistake; it was Odahviing, my lieutenant. He saw me and began descending. I stood up, irked by his late arrival.

With a thud, he landed and folded his wings, looking at me. I crossed arms. "You're late! I called you an hour ago. You're supposed to be the fastest dragon in Tamriel."

He snorted, flame fumes came out of his nostrils. "Dovahkiin, I was enjoying my sleep, when your summon reached my ears."

Dragons do hibernate, like bears. Huh. The more you know... "I'm sorry for waking you up, but we've a huge problem and I need help. From all dragons."

"What? Are you insane, Dovahkiin? I respect you, but you got Paarthurnax killed. Most dragons were looking up to him to take on the leadership."

So they knew of his death. "He was killed by the enemies of Tamriel, elves from other world, coming here to destroy ours. I need all the help I can get and... there is no time for arguing! Please, take me to Monahven."

The snowy dragon laughed in my face, but he let me mount on him. "I'll take you there, but don't expect a warm welcome, Dovahkiin."

I shook head, serious. "I'm not expecting tea and cakes. I need their help. That's all."

Odahviing stayed quiet as we went up into the skies of Morrowind. We've no time to waste. I'll call every dragon alive to Throat of the World. "Dov, grind wah zu'u Dovahkiin wah faal Monahven. Un lein los ko tahrovin. Kos til us faal shul alok."

I repeated it again and again. Each time sounding more imperious and imperative (hopefully not desperate). I prayed to all gods, aedra, daedra, that they listen to my summons.


Twilight was upon us and the Northern Lights shone from above. It's a long flight… Finally, Windhelm.

We passed through. We've nearly there. The Throat of the World.


The mountain. Wasn't desolate. Dragons of differing sizes and color were scattered all over. "Nust bo?" Odahviing sounded surprised. Heck, I didn't expect so many would show up! At least 20 were there on the mountaintop, while others just flew around.

He didn't have a spot to land on, so he chose the stone wall, where Paarthurnax was usually hanging out.

I jumped off his back, feeling the gazes of the dragons on me. A brown, slightly red dragon eyed me particularly with a displeased glare. "Fahliil Dovahkiin, los ni? Hin fron los aan krasnovaar nau daar lein. Bel faal dovah med hi los un jun. Un jun lost Paarthurnax. Rok los dilon. Hi lost nid vahzah wah lahvraan mu fah aan naar."

The dislike of me continued, dragons were arguing between themselves, while Odahviing bemusedly watched the bickering, staying silent. Fine. Fine! They want the reason for the summit, I will give it to them. I know they understand the common language (much less know how to talk in it, though), so I'll speak without twisting my tongue.

"I have called you all here because of a threat from other world. Elves from other world are on the way to Morrowind's capital, where a great battle will take place for Tamriel. I beseech you for help. They have joined forces with Aldmeri Dominion and their numbers are enormous. Their magic is unlike ours; they freeze and annihilate anyone. They have destroyed worlds, many in fact and if we let them, Tamriel will be frozen and dead, all life as we know it will vanish. My friends have amassed an army, but it won't be enough. We need help of dragons if we are to beat them."

I said my piece, waiting for their opinions.

"Zu'u fen ni krif fah joor."Said a blood dragon on the left, next to me.

"Daar los vahzah. Hin zeymah nir dov. Hi krii mu." An ancient dragon joined the discussion, he was circling above us.

So far, this summit wasn't looking very good.

"Saraan. Faal lahvu Dovahkiin tinvaak do los bo. Faal aldmer suleyksejun los ont vod Cyrodiil." A high dragon said, adding his two coppers, earning surprised looks from the dragons... and me. If one dragon sees reason, others will, too. Maybe.

"Los daar faal vahzen? Los faal paal vahzah grik mulaag daar Dovahkiin bo fah aak us dov?" The blood dragon spoke up again, this time with less disdain.

"Yes. If they weren't so ridiculously overpowered, I wouldn't bother you. But, if they succeed, if they beat the army near Blacklight, they'll freeze Tamriel, eradicating everyone, for that frost will be relentless and endless. Is Skyrim is bad now, it will be million times worse if those bastards win. I can't let them do as they like. Please, I need your help. Join me in battle."

They paused, glancing from each other, then at me and lastly their gazes lingered upon Odahviing, who unfurled his wings. "Paarthurnax los dilon. Alduin los dilon. Mu lost aan joor jun, balaan do Dovahkiin, Glorfindel Girethi. Dahmaan daar pruzah, farh mu fen kos werid mindin mu viik fall fahliil. Dov fen kos saviin ko faal miin se joor. Mu fen ni kos faas naan lingrah."

He could have spoken up for me sooner. He's a stubborn old lizard. "Well. There you have it. We must depart soon if we are to arrive in time. The battlefield will be huge, so I ask that every one of you picks separate target(s), so that you can cover more… ground. We'll be giving aerial support. So… are you all in? We have to win. We have to. Without you, we're doomed."

"Mu lost nid miiraad. Mu grah uv mu oblaan grah." The ancient dragon who argued with me earlier has seen the truth of it. And by the looks of it, so have other dragons. So, they will help!

My persuasion skills were awesome or what? Grinning a bit, I climbed onto Odahviing's back. Followed by his lead, all dragons on the snowy ground unfurled their wings, spreading them wide. We're departing.

The "summit" was over and I gained their aid. That's what matters. I only hope we make it back in time…

Odahviing took off, soaring through the sky, roaring. The dragons joined us in the night sky, where they glided by us, side by side in an enormous triangle formation.

Wait for us. We're coming.

TO BE CONTINUED_

Translations are from Thuumdotorg, so it may not be 100% accurate, but I did my best trying to translate. So, here it is:

Dragons! Meet with me, Dragonborn at the Throat of the World. Our world is in danger. Be there before the sun rises.

Translation: Dov, grind wah zu'u Dovahkiin wah faal Monahven. Un lein los ko tahrovin. Kos til us faal shul alok."

They came?

Translation: Nust bo?

Elven Dragonborn, is it? Your kind is a disease upon this world. Summoning the dragons like you are our leader. Our leader was Paarthurnax. He is dead. You have no right to gather us for a summit.

Translation: "Fahliil Dovahkiin, los ni? Hin fron los aan krasnovaar nau daar lein. Bel faal dovah med hi los un jun. Un jun lost Paarthurnax. Rok los dilon. Hi lost nid vahzah wah lahvraan mu fah aan naar."

I will not fight for mortals.

Translation: "Zu'u fen ni krif fah joor."

That is right. Your kind hunts dragons, you kill us.

Translation: "Daar los vahzah. Hin zeymah nir dov. Hi krii mu."

Wait. The army Dragonborn speaks of is coming. The Aldmeri Dominion is already past Cyrodiil.

Translation: "Saraan. Faal lahvu Dovahkiin tinvaak do los bo. Faal aldmer suleyksejun los ont vod Cyrodiil."

Is this the truth? Is the enemy truly so powerful that Dragonborn comes for help to dragons?

Translation: "Los daar faal vahzen? Los faal paal vahzah grik mulaag daar Dovahkiin bo fah aak us dov?"

Paarthurnax is dead. Alduin is dead. We have a mortal leader, Dragonborn, Glorfindel Girethi. Remember that well, for we will be praised after we defeat the elves. Dragons will be saviors in the eyes of mortals. We will not be feared any longer.

Translation: "Paarthurnax los dilon. Alduin los dilon. Mu lost aan joor jun, balaan do Dovahkiin, Glorfindel Girethi. Dahmaan daar pruzah, farh mu fen kos werid mindin mu viik fall fahliil. Dov fen kos saviin ko faal miin se joor. Mu fen ni kos faas naan lingrah."

We have no choice. We fight or we die fighting.

Translation: "Mu lost nid miiraad. Mu grah uv mu oblaan grah."