Chapter Five
Allie races past my dream home, and over the bridge. Erik. Idiot! Why did he leave without me? He knows better than to wander off alone. The green around us becomes less as we speed away from Riverwood, following the twisted path.
Suddenly, up ahead, I see a tall shadowy figure running from two smaller black ones. Wolves. Night time is rapidly approaching and I can't tell if that's Erik or not. It doesn't matter, they're in trouble and need my help.
I release the reins, trusting Allie to continue running straight as I ready my bow. I pull back on the drawstring, and take a deep breath as I aim my arrow. Everything seems to slow down drastically for a few seconds. I can hear nothing but my own heartbeat, and my own steady breaths. I release my arrow and watch it puncture one of the wolves rib cages, instantly killing it.
Erik turns and uses the opportunity to kick the last wolf in throat, grab it by the scruff, and bury his blade in between it's shoulders. Allie slows to a light jog as we approach Erik. When our eyes meet, a current of different emotions swim between us. I'm angry, and frustrated with him. Where as I get from him, the sense of pain, and- jealousy? I slide off of Allie and stomp over to him, grabbing him by the collar of his armor and lowering his face to mine.
"Explain yourself, now." I hiss. My eyes bore into his as I wait for my answer. Usually, whenever I get angry with him he keeps his calm and waits for me to finish my rant. Not this time. I see anger flicker in his eyes as he grabs my wrists and pushes me away from him. He turns away and continues walking. The flames inside of me grow bigger. I run ahead of him and shove him in the chest. "What is your fucking problem?" I shout at him. He growls at me and tries to take another step, but I step sideways to block his path. "I'm talking to you!"
"No, you're shouting at me, and I'm pretty sure half of Skyrim can hear you!" He roars angrily at me. "I left because there are peoples lives on the line right now, with a dragon on a the loose, and you want to sit in a tavern and be a whor-" he cuts himself off before he can finish the sentence, but it's too late the damage is done. I frown at him in disbelief. What in the world is he talking about? I wasn't being a whore.
"What in the world are you on about Erik? Why would you call me that?" I shout so the words can get past the lump in my throat. Erik's guilty eyes fall to the ground.
"While you were in there making googly eyes at that Stormcloak, I came ahead to warn the Jarl. Don't worry you can go back to him, I have this all under control." He says quieter this time through clenched teeth. Every word piercing me like they were daggers. I'm so confused. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but I blink them back. Hell no I wasn't going to start crying. Even if my bestest friend in the whole world, my brother, was calling me a whore and seething angry with me.
"I wasn't making googly eyes at anyone, Erik. He went through a lot! He watched as a demon burned down Helgen, and cut down innocent people, women and children, all slaughtered." I say angrily, almost shouting. "He was lying in that cave for Gods know how long, coming to terms with his death, as it waited for him on his doorstep, waiting to finally embrace him." I continue, my voice shaky. "If you tell me any man can walk away from that with his soul unscathed. I'll call you a bloody fucking liar. He has to live with those haunting memories, and listen to the screams of those dying people every time he closes his eyes before bed." Erik's eyes widen and he hangs his head in shame. I stare at him for a moment, letting my words sink in. "And where did you get this crazy notion that I was flirting with Ralof?" I ask in a much gentler tone.
"When you saw him, did you stutter for a second? Did you want to be by him? Did your heart ache when you had to leave?" He asks me, now staring deeply into my eyes. His gaze causes me to involuntarily gulp. I did feel all of those things with Ralof. But I mean, that doesn't mean I was flirting with him, or that I liked him in that way- does it? He takes my silence as his answer. "That's what I thought." He mumbles. He looks up into the starry night, his eyes the saddest I've ever seen them as the northern lights illuminate his face.
"H-how do you know how I felt?" I ask him warily, having a gut feeling I wouldn't like the answer. He's still gazing up at the stars, his eyes darting around from star to star as if he's looking for an answer among them. "Erik." I say softly. He lets out a shaky sigh, and his eyes land on me.
"I know how you felt because, I-" he pauses trying to scrounge up whatever courage he can find in himself. "Because, I feel all of those things with you." My heart stops, and I finally let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Somewhere deep down I have a feeling I've always known he felt this way towards me, I just didn't want to believe it because I can't reciprocate those feelings back. I take a step back and look at Erik. I mean really look at him. He's a handsome guy, kind, a great sense humor, a fighter, a- a friend. "Ellie…" He whispers as he slowly closes the distance between us. "Please, don't cry." He brings his hands up to my face, and wipes away the tears with his thumbs. I didn't even realize I was crying. I grab his wrists and stare into his eyes, trying with all of my might to feel something- anything! His eyes are filled with a hunger that I've seen countless times, I just didn't know what it was, I could never put a word to the intense emotion that filled his eyes whenever he looked at me most of the time. It was love. Romantic love. His lids close a little and his lips slightly part as he lowers his face closer to mine. Is he going to kiss me? I try to open my mouth to say stop, but I'm still in shock.
His lips graze mine, a gentle brush. And it feels wrong. All wrong. I close my eyes unable to move. He draws his head back to look at me, and then he goes in for another kiss. My lips don't move as his work into my mouth. Tears still sliding down my cheeks. His warm tongue brushes my bottom lip and it sends a jolt through me that gives me the motivation to pull his hands away from my face and for my eyes to fly open.
"We should probably be on our way to Whiterun." I say breathlessly, feeling awkward. His eyelids flutter open and he withdraws his wrists out of my hands.
"Yeah." Is all he says, before walking over to Allie and mounting her. He offers me his hand and swings me on behind him. He gives Allie a nudge in her side and we head to Whiterun. The ride to Whiterun is only a few minutes thanks to Allie, but those few minutes seem to take an eternity. An eternity filled with silence, and lingering thoughts.
The guards on duty recognise us from the night before, when we first arrived at Whiterun and let us through. We leave Allie outside the gates, and rush towards Dragonsreach.
We push open one of the big doors of Dragonsreach and rush up the stairs with an urgency, capturing the attention of an important looking Dark elf. I can hear part of conversation that the Jarl is having with whom I assume is his steward.
"I only council caution. We cannot afford to to act rashly in times like these." The balding Breton explains. The Dark elf unsheathes her sword and slowly begins stalking towards me and Erik.
"What would you have me do, then? Nothing?" The Jarl asks, irritation dripping from his voice. The Breton seems to pick up on the Jarl's irritation too and softens his voice.
"My lord, please." The Breton man begs. "This is no time for rash action. I just think we need more action before we react. I just…" The Jarl notices us as well, and interrupts his steward.
"Who's this, then?" He asks out loud, I suspect it's more to interrupt his steward to get him to drop the conversation they're having, rather than because he actually cares for who we are. The Dark elf stops in front of me and Erik, glaring at us. Erik's hand twitches towards his sword, but I hold a hand out to stop him.
"What's the meaning of this interruption? Jarl Balgruuf is not receiving any visitors." The Dark elf spits at us. I straighten my back, and pull my shoulders back as I answer.
"I have news about Helgen. About the dragon attack." I respond confidently. Her eyes widen and she sheathes her sword.
"Well, that explains why the guards let you in. Come on then, the Jarl will want to speak with you personally." She insists and ushers us towards the Jarl begrudgingly.
"It's alright Irileth, I want to hear what she has to say." The Jarl says calmly, urging me to go on. I feel slightly self conscious as the Jarl speaks directly towards me.
"A dragon destroyed Helgen. Gerdur is afraid Riverwood is next." I say quietly. The Jarl sits up in his throne.
"Gerdur? Owns the lumber mill, if I'm not mistaken… Pillar of the community." He says more to himself than to me. I mentally groan, this isn't about Gerdur. This is about the safety of Riverwood.
"The dragon destroyed Helgen." I speak a little more firmly and take step towards him. "And last I saw it was heading this way." I say and give him a worried look. That seems to do the trick, the Jarl now leans forward in his seat.
"By Ysmir, Irileth was right!" He mutters before turning to the Breton. "What do you say now Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?" He asks him skeptically. The Breton fumbles for the right words.
"My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger. If that dragon is lurking in the mountains…" Irileth speaks up. I instantly like her way more than this Proventus fellow. Proventus' eyes widen in alarm.
"The Jarl of Falkreath will see that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him!" The Jarl closes his eyes in frustration, and pinches the bridge of his nose. "We should not-"
"Enough! I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!" He roars at the bewildered steward, instantly shutting him up. I like this Jarl more and more. Jarl Balgruuf turns to Irileth. "Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once." He instructs. Irileth's small smirk doesn't go unnoticed by me as she bows her head.
"Yes, my Jarl." She murmurs before turning on her heels to make the arrangements.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." Proventus says solemnly. I guess Irileth's smirk wasn't so well hidden as she thought. Or maybe she knew, she just didn't care who saw. Yep, I like her. The Jarl dismisses his steward and all of his attention is on me now. His eyes soften as soon as they fall on me.
"Well done, you sought me out on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it." He says warmly, before grabbing his war-axe and holding it out. "Here, take this as a small token of my esteem." I walk up to him and bow on one knee as I take his steel axe. I study the weapon in awe. The Jarl just gave me his axe. Shit… "There is another thing you could do for me." He says in a hushed tone. His voice captures my attention as I stare at him curiously. "Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps." He says as he eyes me up and down and then glances at Erik. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard." He says as he stands and leads us to a different part of the massive building. "He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and… rumors of dragons." He says nervously. We approach a hectic looking Wizard rummaging through papers on his desk, completely oblivious to us. "Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project." The Jarl says, startling the wizard. "Go ahead and fill her in with all the details." The wizard turns to face me and Erik.
"So, the Jarl thinks you can you can be of use to me?" He asks as he crosses his arms. I don't say anything, I just wait for him to continue. "Oh yes, he must be referring to to my research into the dragons. Yes, I could use someone to fetch something for me." He pauses for a moment. "Well, when I say fetch, I really mean delve into a dangerous ruin in search of an ancient stone tablet that may or may not actually be there." He confesses nervously. I eye him suspiciously, if this means helping the people then, yes. Anything to make this problem go away faster.
"Just tell me what you need me to do." I demand with a new sense for adventure. The wizard grins at me and rubs his chin.
"You are eager to begin your adventure." He claps his hands together, "Excellent. The sooner begun, the sooner done, eh?" He says. Exactly, that is precisely how I feel. "I, ah, learned of a certain stone tablet said to be housed in Bleak Falls Barrow… a Dragonstone, said to contain a map of dragon burial sites. Go to Bleak Falls Barrow, find this tablet, no doubt in the main chamber, and bring it me. Simplicity itself." He smiles at me. The Jarl clears his throat and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"You can leave first thing in the morning. It's late out, and Skyrim is dangerous place, especially at night." He says to me and Erik. "Come, our maids will show you each to a room." Two Wood elves curtsy to us and then lead Erik and I upstairs to our rooms. Erik and I exchange an awkward glance before we step into our separate rooms.
As soon as the woman leaves, and closes the door. My thoughts instantly swarm me and catch me off guard. Dragons. Ralof. Erik. This tablet. I fall to my knees and try to calm my breathing. I miss Ralof, even though I barely know him. I miss my best friend, when he didn't want to stick his tongue down my throat. I feel so lonely. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I'm all alone.
So just want to give a shout out to my first follower! Aliena Wyvern! Thank you so much. I appreciate it! Much love! :)
Poor Ellie! Poor Erik... What is she going to do with Erik? And this crush on Ralof is hitting her pretty hard. So, off to find this Ancient Stone tablet, eh? Oh boy...
Question: Who is your favorite Skyrim character and why? Let me know, your favorite character might just make it in here! :D