I found myself rooted to the spot, lost in a sea of thoughts that seemed to stretch for hours, standing just a stone's throw away from Jarl Balgruuf. My mind was occupied by the question of who would slay the dragon. A guard's life ends with his duty, and many end up retiring to lead the simple life of farmers, a life I knew nothing about. Some had been adventurers before injuries made them settle down as guards. Fjolvar was always going on about his pesky knee injury. Hidar, my closest friend, often spoke of leaving the city behind for a life of adventure. That idea appealed to me more than anything. Most of my time spent on "guard duty" was merely keeping an eye on the Jarl's troublesome offspring. I'd had enough of those little crotch goblins. Would I become housecarl to a housecarl if Irelith were to slay the beast? Suddenly, my thoughts took a grim turn. The thought of the dragon annihilating everyone, then descending upon Whiterun to wreak havoc sent chills down my spine. They were interrupted when a guard, flushed and gasping for breath, burst into the hall. He had run all the way from the Western Watchtower to deliver some urgent news. His eyes were wide with fear and awe, and as he spoke, I found myself hanging on his every word.

"The dragon... it's been defeated!" he exclaimed. A ripple of murmurs ran through the room. The Jarl leaned forward, an intense look in his eyes. "And the young man you sent with us... he delivered the final blow."

The room fell into a stunned silence. Could it be? But the guard wasn't finished. "After the dragon fell, he... he absorbed its soul. Just like the old legends. Like a Dragonborn."

Before I could fully digest this news, the guard hesitated, then continued in a lower voice, "But we didn't all make it, my Jarl. We lost good men out there." He started listing the fallen, and my heart clenched as I heard Hidar's name among them. Hidar, my comrade, my best friend in the guard. Gone.

A cold numbness spread through me, even as whispers around me grew louder, echoing my own disbelief and awe. A Dragonborn, here in Skyrim after who knows how long? I was skeptical to say the least. But before we could fully grasp the enormity of the news, a deep, thunderous shout echoed through the mountains, shaking Dragonsreach to its core - and some of my doubts. It could only be one thing - the Greybeards, summoning the Dragonborn from their secluded High Hrothgar. The hall erupted into a cacophony of voices, but I barely registered the noise. My mind was filled with thoughts of my fallen comrade, and of the young man, the alleged Dragonborn, I was now bound to serve.

The guard, a sturdy Nord by the name of Hroki, had finished his report and now stood to the side, his face pale but stoic. The room's attention had shifted back to Jarl Balgruuf and the implications of his words. I took this moment of distraction as my opportunity to approach him. We had served together in the Whiterun guard, and I knew him to be an honest, straightforward man. He would tell me what happened to Hidar.

"Hroki," I said quietly, coming up beside him. He turned to look at me, surprise flickering across his face before it was replaced by sympathy.

"I need to know," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "How did he fall?"

Hroki drew in a long breath, his gaze distant and haunted. "Hidar was gallant, Lydia. He ensured many of us survived, diverting the creature's focus so we could flank it. But the bastard got himself engulfed by the dragon's fire... there is nothing left to recover." His voice faded into a pained silence, the memory too agonizing to articulate fully.

Silently, I nodded in understanding, tears welling up but stubbornly refusing to fall. It was so characteristic of Hidar, forever placing others before himself. We had joined the guard at the same time, and there might have been some latent feelings on my part. However, his heart belonged to Ysolda, the aspiring merchant, and our relationship remained firmly in the realm of friendship.

"Tell me about him, Hroki," I said after a moment of silence, my voice barely above a whisper. "The Dragonborn... what does he look like?"

He seemed taken aback by the question, but he quickly composed himself. "Well, he's an Imperial, Lydia."

An Imperial? A knot formed in my stomach. As a true Nord of Skyrim, the idea of serving an Imperial didn't sit well with me. But duty was duty.

"Go on," I urged him, trying and failing to keep the displeasure out of my voice.

"Well," Hroki began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "He looks like any Imperial I wager. You wouldn't be able to tell he's Dragonborn until he absorbed the damn thing."

"He's different, Lydia," he added, looking at me with a seriousness I'd rarely seen in him. "He might be an Imperial, but he's got the heart of a dragon."

I nodded slowly, taking in his words. A part of me was still mourning, still grappling with the reality of my friend's death. Yet, another part of me was filled with a sense of wonder. Despite my initial hesitations about serving an Imperial, I was on the brink of becoming the housecarl to the legendary Dragonborn.

Just as Hroki had finished speaking, another guard entered the hall, his face flushed from the cold. "Jarl Balgruuf!" he called out, his voice echoing in the grand hall. "The Dragonborn approaches. He will be here soon."

Jarl Balgruuf rose from his throne, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. When his eyes found me, they hardened with resolve. "Lydia," he said, beckoning me forward. I approached, standing tall despite the whirlwind of emotions within me.

"Lydia, your service to Whiterun has been unwavering and I am honored to appoint you as Housecarl to our new Thane," he declared, his tone resolute yet gentle. "I am aware of your sentiments towards Imperials, but remember, he is the Dragonborn. In these trying times, and with the reappearance of dragons, his presence is invaluable. The Dragonborn could be the ally we need to tip the balance in our favor. It is essential that we harness this potential for the betterment of Whiterun. Serve him as you would serve me."

I swallowed hard. "Yes, my Jarl."

"Good," Jarl Balgruuf said, giving me a smile of approval. "Now, take your place. We have to demonstrate our unity. For Skyrim."

With that, I spun around and made my way to the predetermined spot outside the keep, hidden from view. The Jarl had always appreciated dramatic entrances. My heart hammered in my chest as I anxiously awaited the arrival of the soon-to-be Thane.

Dragonborn POV

"Lydia will serve as your Housecarl," Jarl Balgruuf announced, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "She is loyal, brave, and completely at your disposal."

As the Jarl of Whiterun, Balgruuf the Greater, announced my new Housecarl, I felt a sudden shift in the air. Turning towards the entrance of Dragonsreach, my world came to a sudden halt as I watched the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on step forward. I was frozen.

She moved with the grace and strength of a seasoned warrior, her steel armor glinting in the firelight. Her beauty was striking, with her strong Nordic features softened by the warmth of her eyes. Her eyes, a captivating shade of stormy gray, held an unwavering determination that spoke volumes about her character. Her deep brown hair, braided expertly in the traditional style of Skyrim's warriors, added to her allure. She was a vision of power, and grace, a testament to the women of Skyrim, who were as fierce and resilient as the land itself. And under her perfectly polished steal armor... I could tell she has a gorgeous figure. Nice.

"Thank you, Jarl," I responded, my gaze still fixed on Lydia. Her beauty was undeniable, and her competence and confidence captivated me further. Yet, I knew better than to let my admiration show. I was the Dragonborn, so everyone keeps telling me, the prophesied 'hero of Skyrim'. There was no room for distractions, no matter how alluring.

"Lydia, at your service, my Thane," she said, bowing slightly. Her voice was strong, clear, matching the intensity of her gaze. This was a woman who took her duty seriously, a woman I was fortunate to have by my side.

So, with a nod of acknowledgment, I accepted Lydia as my Housecarl, pushing aside any personal feelings. For now, our focus was getting to High High Hrothgar in one piece and figuring out this Dragonborn shit...

Lydia POV

Jarl Balgruuf's voice echoed through the hall, "Lydia will serve as your Housecarl." His words were a proclamation of duty, a command I was bound to follow. Yet, his announcement did little to quell the unease that twisted in my gut.

As I stepped into Dragonreach's grand hall, my heart pounded. I was about to meet the Dragonborn, Skyrim's prophesied hero. My new Thane. An Imperial.

I looked at the Dragonborn - He certainly had the looks of a hero, his rugged features were undeniably attractive, something Hroki neglected to mention. He exuded an air of strength, and his stature equaled mine, allowing our gazes to meet directly. His eyes, a deep brown, held a quiet intensity that drew me in. Yet, it was the flicker of surprise that caught my attention. Was he taken aback by my presence? Beneath the physical attraction however, there was a lingering sense of mistrust. After all, he was an Imperial. And we Nords, we had our reservations about them. That, and his lackluster iron armor was a sight more befitting of the common rabble than a legendary hero of Skyrim... Ugh.

"Thank you, Jarl," my Thane responded, his gaze fixed on me. There was a calmness to him, a quiet strength that was impressive. But I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of uncertainty. Could I trust this Imperial, this Dragonborn, with the fate of Skyrim?

Pushing my doubts aside, I bowed slightly. "Lydia, at your service, my Thane," I said, striving to keep my voice steady. I was his Housecarl now; my duty was to protect him, regardless of my personal feelings.

So, with a nod of acknowledgment, I accepted my role, tucking away my reservations. For now, our focus was Skyrim, its people, and the prophecy that bound us. Little did I know then, this journey would test not only our courage but also our trust in each other, leading us down a path neither of us expected.

What do you think so far? Open to suggestions and advice to improve the story. I wanted to give off lego Batman sees Barbara for the first time vibes when the DB saw Lydia and I hope it came across as such.