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-28th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
The events that followed the death of Mirmulnir were chaotic for Rahgol. First, he went to the Temple of Kynareth to have his wounds healed, then he was rudely awaken by the combined shout of four men living in the tallest mountain in all of Skyrim. Then, the dark-haired Nord was told the Jarl wanted to see him which just further annoyed him as he really wanted a good rest and to be left alone, especially after what he recently discovered about himself.
As Rahgol made his way up to Dragonsreach, his mind went back to the discovery of what he is. 'It's impossible... I can't be the Dragonborn! I just can't! Do I fit the criteria for being a hero of the people? No. I barely trust people and only tolerate them enough to not kill them whenever they speak to me. Hell, if I had my way, I wouldn't be dealing with them at all. They should be lucky I have nothing better to do... maybe I should pay the College of Winterhold a visit and study my magic a lot more. Maybe I can work on advanced healing spells so I don't have to visit a healer again.' He shook his head and returned to the matter at hand. 'Stop getting off topic! How can I be the Dragonborn? The Dragonborn is meant to be a hero, who appears in times of 'great need by the will of the gods'. Yeah, right. People can't do things themselves so they rely on some big hero to do it for them. Did Paarthurnax know? is that why he saved me from... there all those years ago?'
He shook himself out of his thoughts as he arrived at Dragonsreach and pushed the doors open, walking up the steps and approaching Jarl Balgruuf who looked up. "I heard everything from Irileth about what happened at the watchtower." The Jarl began. "The Dragon was killed by another Dragon, one that appears to know you."
"It's the Dragoness that burned Helgen down and unintentionally saved my life." Rahgol remarked dryly, crossing his arms, wishing to just get this over with. The Greybeards had summoned him, and he obviously shouldn't keep them waiting. How long has it been since he left High Hrothgar? "I bet your Housecarl told you of what happened after the Dragon was killed."
Balgruuf nodded. "Yes. That you... absorbed some kind of power from it."
"More like it's soul." Rahgol remarked bitterly, glancing away. It felt wrong when that happened. It felt so... wrong to absorb Mirmulnir's soul and knowledge. This is why he cannot be the Dragonborn, despite recent events. With his experience with Dragons, he ain't the 'legendary dragonslayer' that the Dragonborn is known for. "No doubt all of Skyrim heard the call of the Greybeards."
The Jarl hummed. "So it's true. The Greybeards really were calling for you. You should make for High Hrothgar. It's best not to keep them waiting. You've done a great deed for me and my city, Dragonborn. By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant. And, for your efforts in saving Whiterun from that Dragon with great injury to yourself, I will grant you ownership of Breezehome. It was recently furnished for a buyer but he never paid for it, so after the first week of waiting for payment, we decided to put it back on the market and now we are giving it to you as a token of our gratitude for your services to Whiterun. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn."
"Please don't." Rahgol muttered, still feeling weird at being addressed as Dragonborn. It was downright uncomfortable.
"You don't seem too enthusiastic about being Dragonborn." Balgruuf noted, seeing Rahgol's expression.
"Not exactly." Rahgol said in a blank tone, making it clear he wouldn't be elaborating as to why he felt uncomfortable or unenthusiastic about being the Dragonborn.
Balgruuf grunted, dropping the matter as it wasn't his business. "Now then, let me introduce you to your Housecarl." He said, standing and gesturing fir Rahgol to follow him.
Rahgol blinked then frowned as he followed. "Housecarl?
"Yes, all Thanes are given a Housecarl to defend their life and property" Balgruuf explained, to which Rahgol scoffed in annoyance, feeling it even more so that now he'd ahve to watch out for another.
"A Housecarl would just slow me down.I barely tolerate having one of the Companions accompany me on jobs. I don't tend to travel with company so they'd be sat in my house doing fu-" Rahgol's complaint was cut off when a Steel Shield hit him in the face.
"Language!" A female voice barked as a dark-haired woman dressed in a full set of Steel Armour approached with an irked expression on her face. As Rahgol got to his feet, rubbing his nose where the shield struck him, he could see this woman had fairly muscled arms, indicating she was fairly trained. "Speak with more respect to the Jarl and keep your vulgar words to yourself."
"Ah Lydia, so good of you to drop by. Meet Rahgol, he is the new Thane of Whiterun and you'll be serving as his Housecarl." Balgruuf said to the now named Lydia, getting a raised eyebrow from Rahgol.
"You're kidding me, right? The woman who just assaulted me is gonna be my Housecarl? Are you fuc-" Rahgol was struck in the face by a fist.
"LANGUAGE!" Lydia bellowed while Balgruuf had a amused look on his face.
"I think you two will get along just fine." He said before walking away while Rahgol got to his feet with a groan and shot Lydia a glare.
"Okay, you got two hits in. Try a third and we'll have some problems." He warned before sighing, figuring he might as well accept it and get on with his life. "Okay, so as Housecarl.., when in the hell do you do?"
Lydia's expression turned to a blank one. "My duties as Housecarl are to protect your person and property with my life, I am also sworn to carry your burdens so is there anything you'd like me to hold?" She listed off in a dull voice.
Rahgol just stared at her for a moment before he asked. "Can you fight?" His question made her perk up a little.
"I'm trained in sword and shield fighting, but I've also learned the basics of archery." She answered, getting a smile out of Rahgol.
"That's enough for me. But don't expect me to be holding your hand. You pull your weight or this partnership is at an end." Rahgol told her, getting a nod from the dark-haired woman. "Now, we'll need to prepare for a long trip to Ivarstead."
"Why?" Lydia asked with a frown.
"You didn't hear the loud shputing of four monks, or the ground shaking earlier?" Rahgol asked with a raised eyebrow, causing Lydia's eyes to widen.
"Wait, that was for you?" She asked, getting a nod from Rahgol.
"We're going to High Hrothgar since it's been revealed that I can eat Dragon souls and shout very loudly. And Ivarstead is where we have to go to start climbing 7,000 steps." Rahgol explained.
"You are very bad at explaining things" Lydia deadpanned after a moment of silence.
"It's one of my better qualities." Rahgol retorted with a smirk before he turned serious "Now, we need to spend the rest of the day preparing for our journey to Ivarstead, so I want you to go and buy what you believe to be enough supplies for both of us on this journey, then double it. Here's one thousand Septims to buy them with, also make sure to get the shopkeepers to write you a list on how much you've bought and what it cost."
"Why am I to get double the supplies necessary? Why are you giving me money for this and why do you want this list?" Lydia asked, bewildered at her Thane's odd requests.
"In order: I want you to get double to be sure that we don't run out of supplies, I gave you the Septims because this is my little journey that I'm bringing you along on, therefore it is my responsibility to fund it and I want the list so I know what we've got, how to ration it effectively and how much to reimburse you if the cost of supplies is more than I gave you." Rahgol answered.
"Yes, my Thane." Lydia nodded. "Ah, what will you be doing all this time?"
"I'll be forging a new set of armour and weapons, mine got ruined in that fight with the Dragon." He said before handing her a key. "Don't lose that, it's your key to Breezehome and I won't pay to cut you a new one. You can stay in there for tonight if you'd like, then meet me at the Skyforge in the morning."
"Aye, sir." Lydia responded with a mocking salute before the two parted ways to carry out their individual tasks.
-29th of the Last Seed, 4th Era 201-
"Got the supplies we'll need." Lydia said as she arrived at the Skyforge while carrying two boxes, seeing Rahgol donning a complete set of Steel Plate Armour, including the helmet, as well as strapping a pair of Skyforge Steel Swords to his hips.
"What did you get?" Rahgol asked, glancing at her.
"Mostly food and water, but there were also a couple of whetstones, travelling cloaks and a quiver of arrows with some extras." Lydia said, showing him the two boxes she was carrying.
Rahgol nodded. "Good." He then tossed her the breastplate and legs of another set of Steel Plate Armour. "Put those on."
"What's wrong with my current set?" Lydia asked him as she caught it but proceeded to exchange her current set of Steel Armour for them anyway, thankful she wore clothing underneath. Then again, she wouldn't have changed in front of Rahgol if she didn't have clothing underneath.
"It leaves your arms exposed, the set of plate armour offers more coverage and thus more protection." Rahgol answered as Lydia finished putting on the armour and began to do some stretches to test how well she could move in the armour.
"It fits like a glove, how did you get it to fit so well?" She asked Rahgol who shrugged.
"Irileth gave me your measurements." He said simply before raising an eyebrow at Lydia's suddenly angry face "What? If you're going to be my Housecarl, I won't have you running about in substandard equipment and getting yourself killed."
"You better keep that information to yourself... and don't try any funny business with me." Lydia warned.
"You are not my type." Rahgol scoffed. Like he'd ever think of a mortal in such a way... woah, where did that thought come from? He shook his head, passion it off, and looked at hos Housecarl. "Now, if we're done here... we better get moving."
"After you." Lydia said. Rahgol walked forward, taking one of the box of supplies, and they made their way out of Whiterun.
At the top of the mountain known as the Throat of the World, a Dragon sat on a Word Wall, staring out at the vast landscape. Like all male Dragons, he had a bulkier build, scales that were a dark gold in colour as well as signs of old age, including tattered skin on his wings and tail, numerous scars over his body, broken and chipped horns and chin-spikes, dulled color in his skin and eyes, and several teeth missing. Like Alduin and Odahviing, he had four legs.
This was Paarthurnax, master of the Way of the Voice.
Paarthurnax hummed as he spoke while hearing something land on the mountain. "I knew you would come here again... sister." He turned around and looked at the form of his older sister, Alduin, whose head was held high and proudly. She had always been prideful, even in her youngling days. Despite the bad blood, Paarthurnax couldn't help but smile. "It is good to see you again."
"Spare me, Paarthurnax." Alduin said with a roll of her eyes. "It's only for information that I come here and do not end your miserable life for your treachery. Hi mindok druv Zu'u los het."
"The reveal of the Dovahkiin." Paarthurnax said, shifting to fully turn and look at her. However, there was a slightly guarded and tense posutre in his stance, unnoticeable unless you know him well enough... something Alduin could very much claim as she noticed and chuckled.
"Worried for your little pet... Rahgol?" She asked almost mockingly, while Paarthurnax' eyes narrowed.
"So you have met him." It was a statement, not a question.
"Twice now." Alduin said, not blinking as Paarthurnax came down from the Word Wall and sat on his haunches, a gesture of which Alduin decide to copy. However, she still saw the tense posture in her brother's form and knew he would attack if this meeting turned hostile. "The first was not long after my return and I burned a mortal settlement... where he was going to have his head cut off. And then the second time... well, Mirmulnir's desire for sport got a little out of hand."
"He always was the most bloodthirstiest among us." Paarthurnax said as a sad look entered his eyes. "And you killed him."
"I do not tolerate disobedience... or betrayal." Alduin growled, her red eyes glaring into her brother's calm ice blue eyes. "I have come to know why you would meet with Rahgol. You obviously knew what he was the moment you met him."
"I did." Paarthurnax nodded. "I could smell the blood of a fellow Dov within him. And despite what you are thinking, him being Dovahkiin is not why I took him in."
At this, Alduin blinked. "Took him in? You raised him?"
"He was just a small child when I found him." Paarthurnax said, turning and moving to sit at the ledge of the cliff, staring out at the vast land of Skyrim. He heard his sister following and she sat beside him. It had been a long time since the two have had a civil conversation, but Paarthurnax knew his sister had only come to know about Rahgol, and it was her desire for knowledge on him that kept her from ending Paarthurnax' life. However, a part of the male Dragon hoped that despite the bad blood between them... there was still a part of Alduin that remembered the bond they once shared. "If I hadn't intervened and he grew up into a man, then discovered his power... rok uld lost meyz volz wey Miraak okmaar. "
"What?" Alduin frowned at this, her lips curling in distaste at the mention of the First Dragonborn. "What do you mean?"
Paarthurnax sighed before he looked at his sister. "The boy suffered under his father's hands for seven years before I met him. He was abused."
Alduin shifted in surprise at this, having not expected that to be revealed to her. But as soon as she learned her, an inkling of anger welled up inside her, not at Paarthurnax, not at Rahgol... but at Rahgol's father. When she was young, her mother always told her that it was a despicable action of a parent to violently assault their child, and Rahgol suffered abuse at his father's hands for seven years?
"Was it just his father?" She asked stoically, looking off.
"Yes... but his village knew and did nothing about it." Paarthurnax growled, his claws burying into the snow before he exhaled and calmed himself down. To this day, he could feel the rage that drove him when he heard the boy's screams for mercy, begging his father to stop. "I had been hunting that day when I heard Rahgol's cries, and when I saw it for myself... a rage that I haven't felt since the old days consumed me. You and I both know that children are the most precious thing in the world, be they mortal or Dragon. Zu'u grit orin hi fund aax hin meyar yunkliin waan hi lost naan."
Alduin said nothing in response, for it was true. However, she shook that from her head and looked at her former brother. "So you saved Rahgol, burned his village down and killed the pathetic mortals infesting it... and took him here?"
Paarthurnax nodded. Alduin said nothing more, looking lost in thought for a few moments. Soon enough, she shook it off before spreading her wings and took off with Paarthurnax watching her go.
Meanwhile, Rahgol and Lydia had followed the road out of Whiterun towards Ivarstead, which took them through the ruins of Helgen, the once proud Imperial stronghold was now a bandit infested mass of crumbling walls and collapsing houses that the two warriors had to clear in order to continue on their journey. They had just reached a clearing where Rahgol stopped, noticed the sky turning dark and turned to Lydia.
"We'll set up camp here for the night. Stay here and guard the supplies while I collect some firewood." He said, making the Nord woman cross her arms and scowl.
"Why?" She asked, her question earning her a roll of the eyes from Rahgol.
"Because it's cold and I have no desire to suffer from frostbite." He answered rudely before a handful of snow hit him in the face courtesy of his irate Housecarl.
"Don't treat me like an idiot, what I wanted to know is why I'm guarding our supplies and not collecting firewood." She snapped back at him as her Thane brushed the snow off his face.
"Do you even know what to look for when gathering firewood? What will burn and what won't?" Rahgol asked with a glare, his question making Lydia falter and start to splutter. Rahgol smirked at her actions. "I thought not."
He left the spluttering Housecarl and began his search for firewood, attempting to find the driest branches he could, though the task was not easy as there was a recent layer of snow in the area, making the majority of the wood he found wet.
As he continued his search, he noticed that the various animals that called Skyrim home were nowhere to be seen: no rabbits darted through the grass, no foxes stalked the woods and no elks watched him from the safety of the trees. Even the more vicious predators like wolves and Frostbite Spiders were mysteriously absent as he trudged around the area.
Eventually the mystery was solved when he reached an area where the ground had been singed to black glass, the trees scorched and clawed and a half-eaten bear carcass left in the middle of this devastation. Rahgol raised an eyebrow as he observed the scene and turned to leave, but before he had taken too many steps, a voice rang out.
"You are either very brave or very stupid. Most joor would be screaming and fleeing towards the nearest settlement when they saw this." Rahgol turned back to the area, his eyes scanning it to find where the voice came from, until he located the source in a tree on the opposite side of the burned area to where he stood.
"I think we both know that I'm not like most joor." He replied calmly, even as he stared at the Dragon in the trees. ADragon with red scales and piercing green eyes, its forelegs were wrapped around the trunk - claws dug into the bark – to give a bit more support to its back legs – which were clinging onto a particularly thick branch – and its wings, one of which was resting against the next tree. "Now, may I ask what you're doing here?"
The Dragon raised a scaly brow. "Fos wahl hi lorot Zu'u los ni het wah krii hi?"
"You would've done so while I was unaware of your presence.I don't know what you're after, but you've been watching me for a while so killing me isn't your intention, is it?" Rahgol replied. The Dragon said nothing but took off, seized the bear carcass and landed in front of him, the carcass between them.
"Kodaav?" The Dragon offered but Rahgol declined with a shake of his head and raise of his hand. "Nid? Zos fah zey ruz."
"You still haven't answered my question." Rahgol said with annoyance as he watched the Dragon take a chunk of of the bear and chew on it before swallowing.
"Truly, you are as rude as my Thuri describes." The Dragon shook his head, though there was no malice or ill-intent in his tone or words. "And here I thought the meddlesome traitor, Paarthurnax, would've taught you better manners in respecting your betters."
Rahgol narrowed his eyes and he growled, almost Dragon-like. "Trust me, if he hadn't then I would've been far worse and ruder to you right now. And how did you know Paarthurnax had something to do with me?"
The Dragon scoffed. "You smell like one of us, far stronger than a Dovahkiin should. Paarthurnax is the only one of us who has remained alive, it's not that hard to figure out... boy."
Rahgol narrowed his eyes at that. "Go fuck yourself." He turned to leave. "And tell your 'Thuri' the same thing!"
The Dragon glared at him, but let him leave. "You're lucky she has ordered us to not kill you... yet." He snatched the bear carcass and then took off into the air.
-1st of Heartfire, 4th Era 201-
After his encounter with the red Dragon, Rahgol and Lydia had rested for a short period before continuing on to Ivarstead and then, High Hrothgar. After ascending the Seven Thousand Steps and facing off against a few hostile creatures that called the mountain home, the two stood outside the monastery that the Greybeards called home.
"Home sweet home..." Rahgol muttered, feeling old memories pop into mind as he stared at the place he has lived at since he was a child.
"Wait, you lived here?" Lydia asked with surprise. Rahgol hadn't said much about his past, as he came off as the type to not trust others right away, so this was a inkling into his past.
"I did." Rahgol nodded before he gave her a serious look. "Now, be careful in here. Though they maintain neutrality in most affairs, the Voice of a Greybeard is still a highly dangerous thing, a whisper could kill us both."
Lydia nodded and the two ascended the stairs, with Rahgol opening the doors with a opush and they entered. The doors closed behind them as four men walked into the halls, each wearing hooded grey robes with ornate patterns on them and each with a log grey beard. One walked in front of them and spoke to Rahgol.
"Rahgol, I see you have returned after three years away. We thought you'd still be exploring Skyrim or going beyond that." He said. His voice – though quiet – was easily heard over the howling winds and contained some undeterminable quality that commanded respect.
"A lot has happened in recent weeks, Arngeir." Was Rahgol's simple response.
"Indeed, and why have you come here?" Though the words were phrased as a question, both Rahgol and Lydia got the feeling that Arngeir already knew why they were here and merely wanted verbal confirmation.
"Why do you think-OW!" Rahgol snapped a glare to Lydia who glared at him.
"We are on sacred ground, so show some respect!" She snapped. Rahgol decided not to start a fight and instead turned back to Arngeir who was watching with something akin to amusement glinting in his eyes, before he spoke again.
"You have come to answer our summons, though you do not know why nor do you understand the importance of your abilities, and you have trouble accepting what you are which is understandable given your upbringing by Master Paarthurnax. We aim to teach you this importance, though formalities must be observed first." He said, spreading his arms wide. "So, let us taste your Thu'um."
Rahgol nodded and looked at Lydia, who stepped back out of respect, then he looked at Arngeir and inhaled before shouting. "FUS!" A blue shockwave emerging from his mouth and slamming into Arngeir, though the only thing it did was make the old man's robes and beard flutter in the wind created by the shout.
"Good, your blood is giving you an innate ability to focus words of Dovahzul into a Thu'um, though your Shouts are admittedly lacking in power. This shall come to you with time and experience." Arngeir said as he dropped his arms back down to his sides again. "You have proven that you are Dragonborn and your training will begin, but the hour grows late so we will begin your training tomorrow at sunrise."
"Will Borm- Master Paarthurnax be joining us?" Rahgol asked as Arngeir gestured to him and Lydia to follow him further into the monastery.
"No. Since you left, Master Paarthurnax has not come down the mountain and this blizzard has been raging around the peak." Arngeir said as he led Rahgol and Lydia to the sleeping quarters.
"Tch, a blizzard won't stop me." Rahgol muttered, his voice carrying a note of concern that surprised Lydia, though the older man also heard him and was seemingly not impressed.
"No, but we will." The simple statement stopped Rahgol in his tracks as Arngeir turned to face him, a serious look in his eyes "Only when you can withstand the combined Voices of the Greybeards will you be allowed to ascend the mountain to speak with Master Paarthurnax, not before."
"You're really serious about this, aren't you?" Rahgol said as Arngeir led them to two beds.
"Yes, now here are your beds. I would suggest getting some rest as your training will not be easy." After saying this, the old man turned and left, leaving Rahgol and Lydia alone in the room. They deposited their bags and sat on their beds, Rahgol with a book and Lydia with a whetstone, sharpening her sword.
"So… who is Paarthurnax?" Lydia asked, breaking the silence that had fallen. Rahgol did not look up from his book but answered nonetheless.
"Paarthurnax is the grandmaster of the Greybeards. Very gifted with the Thu'um and master of The Way of the Voice." He answered, turning a page in his book.
"The Way of the Voice?" Lydia asked, her question making Rahgol glance up from his book.
"A set of beliefs created by Jurgen Windcaller. Simply put, it teaches that the Voice is a tool for enlightenment and worship of the gods. That it should only be used in True Need, rather than simply as a tool of war." he explained, Lydia gave a slow nod of understanding before asking the question that had been weighing on her mind.
"So, were you and this Paarthurnax… close?" In response to her question, Rahgol closed his book and set it down before giving her his undivided attention.
"Yes. Still are, after three years of not seeing each other. You see, I owe Paarthurnax a lot." Upon seeing Lydia's puzzled look, Rahgol decided to elaborate. "Being here has caused some old memories to pop back up, as well as some lessons Paarthurnax imparted on me before I left, one of which was to not shut myself off from others that become allies. You know I have issues with trusting, right?"
"Among other things." Lydia snorted but Rahgol gave her a look. "Sorry, continue."
Rahgol sighed. "For the first seven years of my life... I was abused and mistreated by my own father." Lydia gasped at this but Rahgol was staring at the ground, his eyes lost in memories he had buried. "For seven years. My father was always a drunk even before I was born, blamed me for the death of my mother who died giving birth to me. I lived in a small village near Falkreath, though you won't find it anymore because it's been razed and burned to the ground now. Anyway, my father abused me, the village knew but did nothing. They even watched when my father would 'discipline' me in public. When I was seven, my father got heavily drunk and began one of his usual beatings. However, Paarthurnax had been nearby and came. He wasn't pleased with what he saw and defended me from my father... then took me away from the village. He brought me here, when he raised me, treated me like his own son, and gave me purpose. It's because of him I didn't grow up to become worse than my father or some cold-hearted bastard bandit that takes his aggression and pain out on others. It's why I've had trouble interacting with others, because of me enduring that for seven years."
"I... I can't exactly blame you." Lydia said with a soft tone, seeing such pain and anger in Rahgol's eyes. It was obvious to her he still carried the anger that had developed from his 'father's' beatings. After what she heard, this bastard didn't deserve to be called a father. "I'm sorry."
Rahgol scoffed lightly and shook his head with a small smile, dismissing it. "Ah, it's past me now. Anyway, we should get to bed. It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
"Yes, my Thane." Lydia replied as the two got out of their armour and extinguished the candles. Both fell asleep fairly quickly, their thoughts drifting to what the next day would hold.
And that's it for this chapter. Got a little backstory about Rahgol, his past. He was abused for seven years by his father, his mother died in childbirth, his village didn't do anything to stop the beatings, even watched. Paarthurnax saved Rahgol and helped him, though it's caused Rahgol to have little trust or tolerance for people because of the abuse he suffered. And since he's grown up around a Dragon that treated him as his own son, Rahgol shares similar views of the Dragons on mortals, though Paarthurnax helped in ensuring he didn't despise or outright hate mortals.
Dragon Tongue translations:
Hi mindok druv Zu'u los het: You know why I'm here.
rok uld lost meyz volz wey Miraak okmaar: ...he might have become worse than Miraak himself.
Zu'u grit orin hi fund aax hin meyar yunkliin waan hi lost naan: I doubt even you would harm your own hatchlings if you had any.
Fos wahl hi lorot Zu'u los ni het wah krii hi?: What makes you think I'm not here to kill you?
Kodaav? Nid? Zos fah zey ruz: Bear? No? More for me then.