Chapter 4
3E424
Falkreath Hold
Province of Skyrim
The Imperial Patrol made its way towards the Border between Falkreath Hold and the Rift to make it to the Village of Ivarstead. Why? Simply put, this group of Imperial Calvary from the 9th Legion, not to mention Battle-Mages and regular Legionaries, was making this trip as they were escorting the 6-Year-Old Prince Hadrian Septim to the Greybeards.
As to why it is quite a tale, the Imperial City shook a few weeks back as the sky shouted For the Dovahkiin, or Dragonborn as it was widely known in the common tongue. It wouldn't be until two days later when a letter from Skyrim proclaimed the young Prince was indeed the Dragonborn and, much like his Ancestor before him, would be able to use the Dragon Shouts.
At first, his grandfather and uncles didn't want him to go, but something seemed to change his grandfather's mind. It worked, and his two younger uncles agreed with their father. However, the Crown Prince was not yet convinced. It was only when he insisted that the attachment of Legionnaires go with him and his grandfather agreed that his eldest uncle finally agreed.
Hadrian was a bit worried about travelling north away from his family, but he was also excited for two main reasons. The first was the obvious: travelling to the Greybeards to master the Way of the Voice. The other was being here in Skyrim, the Homeland of his best friend Princess Elisif.
He had already sent a letter to Solitude with one of his escorts who was thankfully a native of Skyrim who had family in solitude, Hadrian gave him permission to go visit them if he delivered his letter to the Blue Palace.
The Blue Palace
City of Solitude
4 days later
Elisif smiled as her father handed her a letter that had just arrived from her friend Hadrian. Taking a seat on her bed, she opened the letter and read its contents.
Hi Elisif
I am here in Skyrim on my way to the Greybeards to master the Voice. It turns out I am Dragonborn, like Talos himself. I don't know if I will be able to visit you or even write to you once I begin my training, but just in case I am unable, I wanted to let you know.
Your friend
Hadrian
Over the next few years, the young Prince studied the way of the voice, first studying the shouts by reading the ancient texts and studying under the different greybeards. For the next five years, he honed his abilities to a razor-sharp blade. He also learned the ways of combat from the legionaries who had been given permission to visit every three days to train him in the art of the sword and bow.
You are probably wondering why, if he was already learning the way of the voice, it was actually the Greybeards who suggested it, saying that while the voice was a powerful Weapon in the hands of the Dragonborn, he should not just use that as his primary means of defence. While the Greybeards taught him well, it was their grandmaster who helped him master his gift.
Flashback Harry age 9
Using clear skies, the young Prince made his way up to the highest point of the throat of the world. It was colder, even though he had spent six years so far on this mountain and had acclimatised to the cold Skyrim weather.
Reaching the top, the young Prince was shocked at what waited for him: an actual Tamrielic Dragon. The last reported sighting of one was during Tiber Septim's conquests, but as far as the Empire was concerned, these were unproven reports.
"Drem yol lok goraan joor zu'u los Paarthurnax." The old Dragon spoke to the shocked young prince, which was understandable considering this was the first time he had seen the master in person and the first dragon he had seen.
Drem yol lok kiir do Bormah zu'u los Hadrian zu'u los Dovahkiin.
Flashback over
Ruins of Ustengrav
Hjaalmarch Hold
Provence of Skyrim
4th Last seed
3E-430
A now 12-year-old Hadrian sat outside the ruins of Ustengrav inside the mound to shield themselves from the snow with two of his legion escorts, who were currently begging him to not go in alone as he checked over his gear as he wore a modified version of the greybeards robes that were lighter and more manoeuvrable for his adventures and trials. "Your Highness I must protest entering a Nordic ruin alone at your age is far too dangerous."
The Legionary is an Imperial woman named Septina Desand. She is a 5th-generation imperial Legion member. Her father was a retired Battlemage, and her mother was a Legion Legate still serving in the Legion as a garrison commander in Hammerfell.
"I understand your worry Legionary, but this is my task assigned to me by the greybeards I have to do it alone." Looking at the other legionary a Nord born and raised in Windhelm also from a legion family his parents and grandparents served nodded at him understanding that this was an important moment.
Standing up, he bid them Farwell as he walked towards the door, pushing it open with his right hand, his left holding the handle of his steel dagger on his belt, closing the door behind him, getting the stench of Death, understandable he was in a Nordic tomb.
Heading down the tunnel until he saw the large opening, a large opening with Dead Bandits all over the place…(oh joy) Hadrian thought to himself as he drew his enchanted Silver Shortsword, sent to him by his Uncle Embel for his 10th Birthday.
Seeing that parts of the tomb had collapsed but noticing a tunnel leading off to the side, he decided to loot everything of value from the small bandit camp, making a tidy profit. He found about 250 septims and a few gems, maybe worth another 200.
He looked at the weaponry and armour but decided against it. The armour was too large for him, while the weapons were basic iron forged, no real match for his enchanted Shortsword. As he made his way into the tunnel, finding more dead bandits, quickly looting them of anything valuable, he stopped as he heard the sounds of flesh hitting bones.
He now knew what killed those bandits. As he turned the corner, he saw three bandits trying desperately to fight off Draugr. Of course, it had to be Draugr. Seeing the last bandit fall, he made his presence known, ready to fight them, only to see they seemed torn about whether or not to attack him.
It didn't last long as they charged only to be blasted back as Hadrian used his Unrelenting Force shout to knock them to the ground giving him the chance to stab them allowing the bodies to finally rest once more.
Time skip 4 hours later
Ustengrav Depths
Tomb of Jurgen Windcaller
Walking down the steps a very tired and battered Hadrian walked down the steps into the tomb itself feeling the ground shake he drew his blade ready for another fight only to stop seeing from the two pools of water on both sides of the walkway 4 statues rose from the waters as if to greet him.
Thanking the Divines it wasn't more Draugr or the more amusing Skeletons, yes, he found them amusing when he entered the depths and saw the large amount of them, he shouted at them hoping to push them back only to laugh as they fell apart as they were hit.
As he approached the tomb, he lifted the Horn from its pedestal. He smiled. Looking past the tomb, he saw another closed door. According to what he remembered from his studies, Nordic Tombs had secret passages that led back to the entrance or close to it.
Turns out he was right on the wall in the room was a lever that opened a hidden door in the wall that most likely would return him close to the entrance, he would follow the tunnel not before looting the urns of their valuables more gems and old Nordic coins their old Pre-Empire currency worth about 5 septims to the right buyer here in Skyrim.
Making his way back outside he saw his two legion guards quickly stand seeing his injured state, quickly they handed him a health potion and a warm bowl of stew to keep out the chill after an hour of rest they packed up their camp and made ready for the 4 day march back to High Hrothgar, I'm just messing with you they used a recall spell to return to the entrance of the monastery where there 2 legion escorts rejoined there brothers as they were not permitted entrance to the monastery for this moment as the event would probably kill them.
The words were heard across Tamriel from Solitude to Leyawiin from Necrom to Alinor all could hear the voices of the Greybeards. "Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau. Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok."
The words were clear: Tamriel had a Dragonborn with the mastery of the Voice once again.
9th Last Seed
3E-430
City of Solitude
Hadrian made his way up the hill towards the city gates of Solitude flanked by his legion Guards, all the way up to the gates there were various market stalls of traveling merchant's selling their wares from all over the Empire.
Smiling at the site, he continued towards the city gates, noticing people were recognizing him and whispering to each other. "That's Prince Hadrian, Princess Lilians son," one Imperial Merchant whispered loudly. He's more than that Imperial; he is Dragonborn; it was him who the Greybeards were shouting about." This came from a Nord Guard who slammed his fist to his chest in respect for not only his Rank as a Prince but also as a Full-Fledged Dragonborn.
As they walked through the street Hadrian went to various stalls selling the gems he collected as well as a few of the old Nordic coins leaving 10 for his friend, who he needed to go see now, it was originally he wanted to surprise her but no doubt the word of his arrival in the capital.
So, it wasn't any surprise to see the High King waiting at the Entrance to the Blue Palace with his court and his daughter, who showed a complete lack of decorum the moment she saw him and tackled him to the Ground just as he got to them.
"Ughhh, Hello Elisif, can you please get off me?" groaned Hadrian, causing Elisif to laugh as she got up. "Oh forgive me, oh great and mighty Dragonborn!" she laughed, making Hadrian Laugh, too. The two friends were as think-a-thief as always.
Tolgan laughed at the interaction of his daughter and Prince Hadrian glad his little girl had a true friend even if he was thinking of the political advantage for her in the future, but then again marriage would be even better for her.
Hadrian was 4th in Line for the Ruby Throne, if he married Elisif he would be Jarl of Solitude and be the High King of Skyrim if he was voted in by the Moot or at least King Consort for his daughter should they fall for each other Lady Mara willing.
"Dovahkiin, it is an honour to welcome you to Solitude." Tolgan greeted him with a smile as he shook the young Princes hand before offering him a room for the night in the Blue Palace.
"I thank you, your Majesty however I must decline I am only in the city for a few days and will have to leave soon, I have been offered a bunk in the Castle Dour barracks." Hadrian told him politely before bowing his head and turning back towards the Legion Headquarters.
For the next few days, Hadrian would hang with Elisif and act like a kid exploring the city with her. He made a small fortune from selling the Nordic coins and had 5000 septims to himself. Sure, he had access to two large fortunes. The problem was that one of them was in the Outrelms, and the other was what the Elder Council and his grandfather had set aside for him should he need it.
Heading down to the city docks with Elisif they passed the houses that lined the streets down the hill, the docks of Solitude were the busiest in Skyrim possibly the entire northern coast of the Empire.
Both enjoyed just walking among the people, unaware that Tolgan had alerted the guards that they would be there, so there may have been a few more guards on the docks than normal. "Hadrian, look over there by the company office," Elisif said, pulling on his sleeve and making him look away from watching a game of dice between some sailors to the EEC office, where a Nord man was arguing with the Company officer. "I tell you its worth the cost for the company, the company and the Empire would benefit within 4 years max." the Nord yelled at the man unaware that 4 company agents slowly moved up behind him.
The company officer an Imperial from a clearly upper-class family sneered at the Nord. "Remove yourself from here Nord, the East Empire Company doesn't deal with the drunken tales of a northern barbarian."
The guards moved to arrest the Nord forcing Hadrian to intervene. "Guards! Release that man at once." Seeing the Prince of the Empire caused the guards to back off and bow their heads as the prince walked up towards the Nord before turning to the now cowering officer.
Yes, Hadrian was only 12 years old, but he was the emperor's Grandson and a Dragonborn to boot. "I believe the EEC is always ready to take a risk on a profitable investment if it benefits the Empire." Turning towards Nord, he asked him about his request.
The man reported an island far to the north with large untaped Ebony, Gold and other mineral reserves, he was requesting the EEC to fund a proper investigation, believing him or at least taking a risk he told the Nord that he would fund the expedition giving the man his 5000 septims.
The EEC would make the contract out reluctantly, but it would not look good for him if he turned away a possible big payday if the Prince Funded it, the Nord would set sail 3 days later for this landmass, and Hadrian would leave Skyrim heading south to the Imperial city where he would be welcomed to a hero's welcome.
Imperial City Palace Throne Room
Imperial City
Cyrodiil
22nd Last Seed
3E-430
Hadrian Kneeled before his grandfather and his uncles as his grandfather stood from the Ruby Throne. "People of the Empire, after many years studying the Way of the Voice from the Greybeards of Skyrim." Uriel waited for a few moments to allow the customary gossiping by the nobles. "I am proud to call my Grandson the new Dragon of the North a title the Septim Dynasty has not truly held since the days of Tiber Septim, on this day I name Prince Hadrian Septim as the Duke of the Gold Coast."
Hadrian would spend the rest of the month with his family before setting off for Anvil, where he would reside at the Former Benirus Manor, now an Imperial Residence in the city of 55,000 people, or he would be at Fort Such a garrison town and Home to the 8th Legion and their families.
For the next three years, Hadrian did his duty well and continued to stay in contact with Elisif. He didn't believe that it would come crashing down, as even now, dark forces worked to end the Septim Dynasty.
Authors Note: Hey people sorry it's been a minute but I hope you like the update until next time.