Chapter 6 - A path forward
Between two foreign grown dragons, Murtagh Morzanson and a shade carried by an undead flaming skeleton horse, it was maybe not entirely surprising that their travelling party was met with some hostility when they first approached the border to Surda. Especially when Harald happily offered to go first on the mind-checking procedure. The poor mage who was foolish enough to look too deeply into a mind that housed a few hundred ancient dragon souls promptly announced his intention to take a long vacation on the Shivering Islands. He was still laughing madly a week later, or so they said.
The group spend two whole weeks in prison. Saphira, Eragon, Brom and Arya were mostly compliant. Odahviing simply flew off the moment people started pointing arrows at him and told Harald to call him when he actually wanted some more blood to be shed. Murtagh complained a lot about being separated from Shaan, who did indeed like his new name very much. Harald and him worked together to pick the lock to their cell, sneak out to steal back Shaan and sneak back into their cell. Every. Night. They called it passive-aggressive protest. After the fifth night (and two guards loosing their eyesight to tiny dragon claws) Murtagh was at least allowed to keep Shaan with him. Unfortunately that left Harald with zero entertainment - for two weeks! - and that simply wouldn't do. He broke out of prison barely 24h after being told there would be no more nightly escapes, promising to check on them once a week or so.
By the time the party finally got, not released, but at least invited to talk to someone that actually had some authority, Harald had already traveled the length of the country... twice as well as somehow made himself a name as a master blacksmith.
Arya was the first to be cleared of suspicion, then Brom. Finally the two of them, Eragon and Murtagh were invited for a meeting with both King Orrin of Surda and Ajihad, the leader of the Varden. Coincidentally, Harald chose that exact day to return and to check on his friends. Then again, when you were the son of the god of time, there was no such thing as coincidence.
After introductions were over, Harald was eager to get down to business.
"Can we finally discuss how to end this bloody war already?" he wanted to know.
"End it?" Ajihad made. "We have to start it. For too long Surda, the dwarves and elves have been complacent in their neutrality. Now that we have three dragons on our side, we finally have a chance again. But we can't squander it. We have to send emissaries to the others and start gathering an army."
"Saphira and I are willing to fight", Eragon offered. "Shaan is too young still and Saphira is still in training but Odahviing is fully grown and experienced."
"The appearance of the dragons changes things", King Orrin said, nodding. "The hatchling may be too young but if the other two will fight with us, we have a chance. If the Riders fight with you, the Varden have Surda's support."
"Thank you", Ajihad said seriously. "Princess Arya, do you think the elves will aid us?"
"I believe I can convince them to", Arya replied. "In Harald, we have for the first time in centuries a champion who could take on Galbatorix."
"That just leaves the dwarves. We will send a messenger to them and-"
Harald, who was already seeing an epic quest to unify three people on the horizon, wouldn't have any of that. He remembered the many months of taking one castle after another with Ulfric's army. It had been a long process where the soldiers only ever slowed down the Dovahkiin. Trying to protect squishy soldiers fighting at his side took ten times longer than it would've taken him to just clear the whole place out on his own. Though he would like to see a real dwarf, he was not that eager for it that he'd agree to another week long trek across teh countryside.
"I have a different suggestion", he said.
"Please don't", Brom just made.
"How about I just fly on Odahviing to the capital and challenge Galbatorix to a duel?"
After all that had been his and Odahviing's plan from the very beginning when they first came to this world. Only Saphira's appearance had changed their plans, based on Odahviing's vague guess of what Akatosh wanted them to do.
The old man rubbed his brow and sighed.
"That... would not automatically win us the war", King Orrin said after a few moments of silence, once he realized Harald was serious.
"It wouldn't?"
Murtagh patted him on the shoulder. "I'm afraid not. Galbatorix ruled for centuries. He has structures in place all over the kingdom strengthening his hold. Plus he has a council that is in charge of implementing many of his orders. There's this whole aristocracy of backstabbing nobles that would all fall over themselves to fill the void, even if you did kill Galbatorix. And that is assuming he would answer your challenge. He could just stay in his palace and force you to slaughter your way through the entire place."
"I could do that, that sounds like fun too", Harald argued.
"Yes but it would slow you down, wouldn't it? Galbatorix could just flee out the back door and then you wouldn't know where to find him", Murtagh argued.
"Is he serious?" Ajihad whispered to Arya.
Arya just looked on miserably.
"Fine", Harald sighed. "So no frontal assault. But I'm not waiting here until you've assembled everyone Galbatorix ever insulted. Neither am I waiting for your armies to take city after city just so he won't have a hiding place."
"That is the safest way though", King Orrin argued.
Harald looked at him as if he was something disgusting.
"We need to lure away Galbatorix forces from the capital", Arya hurriedly said. "That way a relatively small force of ours can take the city. If the elves, dwarves and the Varden based in Surda attack from three sides of the map at once, it'll force Galbatorix to split his forces."
"That would cost too many lifes", Ajihad protested. "If Harald was to lead the assault on the capital, that would leave us with only one dragon that can fight. Unless of course, you have any more hidden away?"
"Well, there's always Durnehviir", Harald mused.
"The undead, cursed dragon?" Murtagh asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah... that could work, actually", Harald thought aloud. "With his help, we won't even need the other races. We could curse a couple of graves across strategic lines around the country. It'll reanimate a bunch of corpses that'll start attacking Imperial soldiers. That will busy Galbatorix' army and draw out his forces so I can sneak into his palace and assassinate him!"
Everyone stared at him, waiting for him to tell them that was a joke.
"Please just leave the planning to people who are not evil", Brom said at last.
Harald threw up his hands. "Fine. You can send Murtagh and Shaan to mobilize the dwarves, Arya will get the elves and Eragon will support the Varden here. I already took out the Ra'zac and the king's pet shade. I'll go for his dragon next until you guys are ready to actually go to war. If he accepts my challenge I can fight him in the capital. If he doesn't and tries to run away, Odahviing can attack him from the skies. Maybe Galbatorix can hide from me but a dragon sure can't!"
"You believe that you can slay Shruikan without our help?" Ajihad asked skeptically.
"Please", Harald made with a scoff. "That's what I do."
King Orrin, Aryan and Ajihad exchanged glances. They seemed to like the idea.
"I really don't think we should let Harald go off on his own", Brom protested.
"I'd come with you", Murtagh offered. "Honestly, I don't think the dwarves would listen to me anyway. I'm still Morzan's son and they're the race with the least respect for the Riders in the first place."
"We can send Eragon to them instead if you stay here", Ajihad offered. "But we need Shaan. Assembling the armies will take time, time your dragon has to grow. Even if he won't fight at the front, he is a powerful symbol. The elves are the strongest faction we have on our side, they might fight even without a dragon at their side. But the Varden and the dwarves need the support of a Rider."
"Brom...", Arya said quietly.
Brom winced. "They won't listen to me."
"It is time", she urged him. "If only..."
"Wait, why is the old man's name on the table?" Harald asked annoyed.
Everyone looked at Arya and Brom. At last, Brom sighed.
"I... used to be a dragon rider. My dragon... Saphira... She died many years ago."
Eragon stared at him, shocked. "You used to be a Rider? Wait... I named my dragon after yours!?"
"It doesn't matter. She's dead", Brom said. "I'm not a Rider without her."
Harald thought very quickly. "So... Hypothetically speaking, if Brom still had a dragon, he could take over the emissary role and rally the dwarves for us? And in the future I could leave the training for both Shaan and Saphira to him? So I would be free to go after Shruikan and Galbatorix and not waste my time trying to build up their stupid order?"
"Wait, are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" Muragh asked.
Harald looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon. He wanted to go back to Nirn. He wanted to go back to his daughter and his friends, to his hoard and to his dragon slaying days as soon as possible. This way would be the fastest one. It would get Brom off his back and get him to stop moping and complain about Harald being evil incarnate. It almost seemed too easy, too obvious. It had Akatosh's influence written all over it.
"Yeah... no. Forget I said anything", he decided.
"What were you thinking of?" Arya asked.
"Yes, any idea you don't want to contemplate can only be a good one", Brom said sarcastically.
"I said forget it!" Harald made stubbornly.
Stupid, traitorous Murtagh stabbed him in the back.
"Harald has the ability to bring deceased dragons back to life. He could resurrect Saphira... the first", he told them.
"Murtagh!" Harald complained.
"Wait, seriously?" Eragon asked, eyes alight. "So you could, like, fly to all the old battlefields and resurrect all the dragons that fell to Galbatorix? We could have an army of dragons?"
"No, no, and three times no! There's no way I'm doing that!" Harald made. That plan was way too much like what Alduin had done.
"But you could?" Arya prodded him.
Harald glared at her hatefully.
"It would... not be feasible", Brom said quietly. "The dragons of the Riders were bound to them. Dragon and Rider almost always die together. Unless you can also bring back the Riders, resurrecting the dragons wouldn't help us much."
"Thank you! At least someone is seeing sense!" Harald made.
"But... That is not the case for Saphira. My dragon... If you could bring her back..." There were tears now in his eyes and Harald was already backing away from him.
Without further hesitation, Brom fell to his knees in front of him. "Please... If this is within your ability... Please bring Saphira back. I would do whatever it takes... If only I could see her one more time."
"Urgh", Harald made, looking to his friends for help. "I... I can't... I really..."
Murtagh looked at him sadly. Unlike the others, he knew what it would mean for Harald to take that step.
"It is just one dragon, Harald. It doesn't have to mean anything. It can remain the only exception you ever make. Although..." He looked to his feet. "I can't say I'm not afraid for Shaan. If anything were to happen to him in this war..."
Harald looked between him and Eragon, torn. Eragon was his friend and Murtagh was... whatever he was. He might not be as close with their dragons but he knew how much they loved them. Brom and him had never gotten along but what if the next time, it was one of them kneeling before him, begging him to resurrect their dragon?
Harald closed his eyes as if in pain. In a way, he was.
"I... I'll think about it", he made at last.
"Where is Saphira now?" Eragon asked his old mentor quietly.
"She fell in battle with Morzan", Brom said quietly. "On the Field of Fire, a few miles outside of the capital. I believe the king had a victory monument build on top of her grave", he said hatefully.
"I can travel to the dwarves", Eragon offered. "Shaan needs time to grow and he can do that here and give moral support to the Varden. If you're heading to the capital anyway to challenge Shruikan, why not take Brom with you? And if you happen to change your mind, well... Her grave will be right there."
Brom shot him a look of such utter gratitude it made Harald feel all horrible inside. He was already dreading that journey, even if it was probably the fastest way to get home.
"Fine, let's go with that", he said, defeated.
"You will not regret it!" Brom chimed up as if Harald had already agreed to get his dragon back.
"I very much doubt that", he muttered.
XxX
That evening, Harald sneaked into the tent the Varden had granted for Murtagh's use. His plans of a good roll in the hay though were crossed by the very lively young dragon that demanded his Rider's attention. Try as he might though, Harald couldn't be mad at the hatchling. It was so endearing to see the two of them play with each other. Shaan was shamelessly using his small size to ride his Rider. Murtagh would make a wonderful father, Harald thought.
So instead of disturbing their bonding time, the dragonborn decided to join in. When the sun set, he declared it was sleeping time for young hatchlings but Shaan was not tired at all.
"How about a bedtime story?" Murtagh offered.
"Story?" Shaan asked.
"Yeah, Harald, can't you tell us a story about one of your adventures? It'll help Shaan sleep, I'm sure."
Never one to pass on a chance to brag, Harald agreed.
"Very well. How about I tell you the story of the Forbidden Vale?"
"Are there dragons in the story?" Shaan wanted to know and Murtagh translated.
"Of course there are dragons. Three of them, in fact. And giants too", he promised, thinking back to the epic battle Odahviing and him had fought against the twins dragons under the frozen lake. "It went like this..."
Harald was a very good storyteller and Shaan was a very good listener. He trilled and squeaked at all the right places and Harald didn't even need Murtagh to translate all that much to know the hatchling was enjoying himself. The story accomplished its goal too in making the hatchling sleepy and eventually, they were able to put him to bed. Murtagh gazed down at the little one with such warmth and love, it made Harald's heart clench something awful. He wondered how many of the dragons he'd slain had had loving parents like him.
"I'm going to miss you", Harald burst out, trying to fight down the lump in his throat.
"I very much hope so. Brom can't even begin to replace me as your traveling companion", Murtagh joked.
"No, I... I'm really going to miss you", he made miserably. He was not in the mood for jokes and Murtagh seemed to sense that quickly.
"Hey... It's going to be alright", Murtagh made. He opened his arms, offering a hug and Harald practically flew to him.
"You don't have to bring back Saphira if you don't want to", he whispered. "Screw Brom. You don't have to do anything you don't want."
"It's not about that", Harald made. "I don't mind giving him his dragon back, even if I might not think he deserves one."
"You're afraid what touching Alduin's soul would do to you", Murtagh knew.
"Can you imagine?" Harald said, chuckling hollowly. "Me, going around resurrecting dragons. Rider or no, I could make them join me. I could bend their will. This whole campaign would be over within days. I've thought about it, Murtagh. A part of me wants that. Wants my own army of slave-dragons. Brom's right. I'm no different from Galbatorix. Add Alduin's soul and I'd be worse."
"Oh Harald", Murtagh made, patting the other man's back as he clung to him. "If you knew half the things I want to do sometimes. First time I saw Saphira, Eragon's Saphira I mean, I kinda wanted to kill Eragon. A part of me was so jealous of him. When you gave me that magical armor, a part of me wanted to take it and run and sell it to Galbatorix and live the rest of my life in luxury. When I was younger, all I wanted was to please my father. I wanted to fight for Galbatorix, even though I was already old enough to understand that he was evil. Just because we want something bad sometimes doesn't make us horrible people. I'm not saying your desires don't matter at all. It matters why you do something, not just that you do it. But if you recognize that what you want to do is bad and then you don't do it because you know this... That means you're a good person. A good human. And if you then find something you really don't want to do, something that is obviously right but you realize your reasons for not wanting to do it are bad and you do it anyway... That's when you're a hero. And I know you are nothing if not a hero." Murtagh pushed him a bit away from him and looked into his eyes. "So you have to ask yourself... Do you think bringing back Saphira would be good?"
Harald grimaced. "Yes..."
"But you don't want to do it?"
"No."
Murtagh nodded. "Then you just have to figure out if your reason for not wanting to do it is good or bad. If it's because you honestly think you'll turn into the second coming of Alduin or Galbatorix, that's a good reason. Don't do it then. But if your reason is just that you're afraid of your own nature or you want to spite your father or don't want Odahviing to nag you about resurrecting anyone else... Those aren't really good reasons not to save a life."
Harald stared at him, eyes watering. Murtagh had a way to argue with him that he felt defenseless against. Truth be told, he didn't know what his reason really was. It was probably a bit of both. It wasn't like he knew he'd turn evil when he absorbed Alduin's knowledge. He was just... afraid of it.
"I want to be human", the dragonborn all but begged. "I want to be like you." Harald leaned forward, catching Murtagh's lips in a fierce kiss.
"Hold me, senche. I want to feel human."
Murtagh kissed him back, answering the desperation of the man he loved with his own fears and insecurities.
"You're the most amazing person I know. Whatever you decide, I know it will be the right path", he promised him. Harald's hands started to undo the straps of his armor. Murtagh kissed down a trail at Harald's neck, making him moan.
"I don't want to be a dragon. I won't ever enjoy things like this if I'm a dragon", Harald muttered as Murtagh helped him shed his armor. Soon they were both in the nude, worshipping each other's bodies.
"Dragons have urges too or there wouldn't ever be any hatchlings", Murtagh reminded him.
Harald stopped his movements for a moment, laying under him, he stared up at Murtagh, capturing his eyes.
"I'm not talking about lust", he said seriously.
Murtagh met his stare surprised. Shaken. Then suddenly he burst out: "I love you!"
Harald's face twisted in a pained grimace. His heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
"Yesss", he hissed, sounding just as broken as he felt. "That's exactly what I'm talking about." He surged up then, dragging Murtagh down with him into the blankets, kissing him hungrily. "Once I go, I don't know if I'll come back the same. I don't know if I'll come back at all."
"Then don't go", Murtagh said in between kisses. "Stay with me. Help me raise Shaan. Or we can all go to your world. I'll help you raise Sofie. We'll be like a real family."
A tear escaped Harald's eye then. Oh, he wanted that, he wanted it so bad. Yet could he truly commit to a life as a human without ever exploring, much less accepting his own nature? What if one day, he fell to temptation and then suddenly his stupid dragon soul thought Murtagh wasn't a fitting mate?
Murtagh was right. Harald had to figure out if his reasons for rejecting his role were good or bad. He had to face his own fears. That's what heroes did. How could he ever stand beside Murtagh, who only ever saw the best in him, and fall short in this most important aspect?
That night, Harald and Murtagh made love to each other as if it was their last night together. Quite possibly, it was.
XxX
Four days later.
"Excuse me, can you say that again?" Odahviing said with no small amount of smugness.
Harald's fundamentally impatient nature didn't allow him to linger in Surda any longer than strictly necessary. As such him and Brom had taken off the day after the meeting. Between Arvak and Shadowmere, they could ride practically nonstop, with the dragon flying overhead. Harald refused to stop for anything but pee breaks. Meals were taken on horseback. If Brom got tired, he had to sleep in full gallop. If he complained about chafing from too many hours on the horse, Harald told him to shut up, what was healing magic there for?
In his defense, Brom didn't complain all that much, seeing every step brought him closer to the possible hope of seeing Saphira again.
It was then a great and pleasant surprise when Harald decided to make camp for the night and called down the dragon for what he called a Tinvaak. Brom was asleep before he even hit the floor.
Harald gnarled his teeth, looking anywhere but at the great red dragon.
"Would you please teach me?" he repeated his request, imagining all the things he'd rather do right now - such as stabbing himself with a dagger. Repeatedly.
"Oh I would be delighted to", Odahviing replied with so much sarcasm it was dripping to the floor. "What do you require guidance in?"
Harald mumbled something incomprehensible.
"What was that?" Odahviing made with a draconian grin, showing all this teeth.
Harald let out his breath and rolled his eyes obnoxiously. "I said I want to know how to meditate on my third name-word."
"But you haven't even gotten your first two. I quiet vividly remembered you refused the very idea of it before", Odahviing reminded him.
Harald rolled his eyes. "I've changed my mind, okay? I accept your name for me. And I've kinda already chosen my second ages ago. I'm just missing the third."
"Why did you change your mind?" Odahviing wanted to know.
Harald seriously considered not answering at all. So far he'd only told the dragon that he was on his way to the capital to challenge Shruikan.
Unfortunately, given how spiritual his goal was, he suspected Odahviing needed all the facts to properly help him. That didn't mean he couldn't be mean about it.
"Well, you remember our discussion about how I would never, ever in a million years agree to learn the Resurrection Shout, much less use it?"
"Yes..." Odahviing made slowly.
"See, I still would never bring back any of those monsters back in Skyrim. But I think I might be able to make an exception for the weak, mute, bound to a human dragon that is Brom's former companion. But I know enough about battling dragons to realize I need to be secure in my own identity if I want to stand up to Alduin's spirit."
Odahviing was quiet for a moment. Harald, having fully expected another rant or insult, was starting to grow nervous.
The great red dragon leaned downwards till his snout was almost touching Harald.
"Are you serious?" he asked with his deep, rumbling voice.
Suddenly he was not anymore.
"Yes?"
Odahviing leaned back again and drew back his wingtips till he was almost sitting upright.
"Very well. Then I will teach you."
"Wait, you're not mad?" Harald asked.
"Why would I be mad?" Odahviing made.
"Because... It wasn't you who convinced me to give this a try. It was a human. It is for humans", Harald said.
"Kaal", Odahviing said and an uncomfortably pleasant shudder went down Harald's back as he was for the first time properly addressed with the dragon name. "You are the new god king of dragonkind. Your word will be law. Your desires will be the goal of my kind. Your vision will become reality. I know that you will fulfill your duties the way our creator meant for you to. It does not matter to me what you do beyond that. If you wish to care for the weak and raise up the disabled, you may do so. I believe mortals call that a 'hobby'. It does not matter how sparingly you use the Resurrection Shout, so long as you prove your ability and willingness to use it at all. Only then will the others follow you without resistance." Odahviing rustled his wings, appearing unusually calm. "It is not as if Alduin regularly used the shout either. Outside of the needs of war, he was of the opinion that if you were weak enough to get slain, you deserved death. Akatosh wishes for dragons and humans to co-inhabit Nirn. Your... choice in raising up one of our lowest may be unexpected. But it shows an obvious alignment between your goals and those of our creator. This will help my kin to understand you and motivate them to follow your guidance. I have no objections."
Well, that was rather disappointing.
"I still haven't agreed to that stupid kingship!" Harald snapped stubbornly, folding his arms in front of him. "I might never bring back any other dragon but that one. In fact, here's a command for you, if I do bring back Brom's dragon, you're not allowed to tell any other dragon about it!"
Odahviing chuckled. "Your wish is my command."
"I hate you."
"I'm sure I deserve it", Odahviing mocked him. "Now, shall we begin your lesson?"
Harald grumbled to himself but motioned for him to go on.
"You know how to meditate on the rotmulaag to give your Thu'um more power", Odahviing began. "Finding your third name-word is quite similar. You first meditate on the meaning of your first and second word and what they mean in the context of your sil, your person, your soul, your spirit. Then you find what is still missing to complete the picture. There may be several words that fit in a literal sense. Meditate on them all and you will find one that completes you."
Harald closed his eyes and focused inward. He focused on kaal first. Victor. Champion. Defender. He was all that and he liked being that. Helping people gave him great satisfaction and he loved to be celebrated. Winning a battle was a rush that little else gave him. It was the dovahzul translation of the name his friends, his companions had given him, the name he'd used for himself for years.
"Yes, Dovahkiin. That is kaal", Odahviing said quietly.
Harald opened his eyes to spot the last vestiges of shimmering golden magic swirling around him, not unlike what he experienced after praying at a shrine.
"What is your second name-word?" the dragon asked.
"It's vu. I understand it and it resonates with me. But", Harald shrugged helplessly, "the meaning changes completely when combined with kaal."
Odahviing gave a rumbling hum. "That does not matter. Your name is still incomplete. It will change its meaning yet again with your last word."
"But what if it doesn't?" Harald protested. "What if my third word just shackles me even more to my creator?"
"Your third word cannot twist your name in a way you do not wish", Odahviing lectured. "The only word you have no control over is the first. It will touch everything about you but you decide in which way it does so. Will you be the Defender of new beginnings? Or be a Victor in a battle against Dawn? Finding your third word is not just a matter of choosing the correct rotmulaag. It is also a matter of rearranging your words to find new meaning. Meditate on the meaning of vu. Then we will continue."
Harald huffed, a bit frustrated but did as he was told.
Vu. Dawn. In the human tongue it often referred to the coming of the sun. But not in dovahzul. In dovahzul, it meant the exact opposite: the end of darkness. Harald hadn't chosen it because he brought the light of his father, the god of the sun anywhere. He'd chosen it because he was chasing away the disaster that was his shadowy avatar. There was a difference between building up something good and new and tearing down something bad. You couldn't do the former without the latter. Harald wasn't bad at building things, in fact he often lost himself in projects, going above and beyond what was required to create something perfect and his. But what he really excelled in, what he really took pride in, was his victory over the forces of darkness. True, he also occasionally basked in the darkness, especially when he hunted his prey from the shadows. But he didn't see that as a contradiction. Ultimately, he was using the weapons of his enemies against them. Even when he wrapped himself in Nocturnal's embrace, he was relieving those that already had plenty of their often undeserved goods. Considering Harald was sure he had donated more gold in his life to the poor than Maven's entire treasury was worth, that was ultimately a service for good. His work for Sithis, alright, fine, that was pretty dark. But Harald had never regretted killing the Emperor. If he hadn't thrown the entire Imperial Court into disarray with that one murder, Ulfric Stormcloak might've never managed to solidify his hold on Skyrim. All his progress in fighting that annoying Civil War would've gone to waste. The Dark Brotherhood was the one organization Harald hadn't given his all for. Killing bandit leaders was alright but he drew the line at killing innocent maidens in the middle of the street. Especially when he was on a quests to catch a serial killer who also killed innocent maidens in that same city at the same time. (That was Akatosh giving him a major hint with that timing, he was sure.) Harald had been ready to just drop the job after that first mission. But assassinating the Emperor? How could he possibly resist? So yeah, maybe Vittoria hadn't deserved dying on her own wedding. Then again, it had been a political marriage that only served to strengthen the Empire that Harald fought to topple. He'd pretty much stopped doing any missions for the Brotherhood after the Emperor was dead too. Hadn't even used the earnings from it to build up their order again - the 20.000 gold had gone into buying a nice manor in Solitude for his personal use instead.
"Concentrate, Kaal. Do not allow yourself do be distracted", Odahviing lectured. "Vu is the essence of the end of an era. Your choice of this word is not a random one. Al-Du-In was the world-eater. Destroyer, Consumer, Master. Yet even though you chose a word that refers to the end, it was not al and it was not du. It was vu. Why did you chose vu?"
"Because I refuse to have any one of my name words match with his?" Harald returned flippantly.
"I already told you. You can turn the meaning of a word around by combining it with another or even just changing the order. You could be Kaal-Al, the one who was victorious over the Destroyer. You could be Kaal-Du, the one who defeats dragons by consuming their souls. Yet you wish to be Kaal-Vu. Why?"
"I do not want my fate to be bound to what I do or did with any dragon, much less Alduin. I am more than that!" Harald replied hotly. Angrily he closed his eyes again.
Vu was the word he'd chosen for himself. It was the end of misery and stagnation he brought to anyone he touched. It was motion, it was progress, it was moving on because the past laid behind you. Alduin was the past. The new Dawn promised a new age, an age of change. His age.
"You have understood vu", Odahviing said quietly and Harald merged from his meditation amidst yet another shimmer of magic, a red-orange one this time, like the the burning dawn itself. "Now you have to put them both together. You do not like the meaning of the two words together? Find that which changes their meaning into something you can identify with."
Harald took a deep breath and closed his eyes again.
Already when he'd picked his second word he'd wondered about possible thirds. He was hun, a hero to the people. Odahviing wanted him to be thur, an absolute ruler. But Harald had no intentions to become a tyrant. If he was already kaal, hun wouldn't add anything of worth.
He was the last dragonborn and he thought to simply add that. Laat. The last champion, the last time the gods used the dragonborn to bring about a change. Maybe even naar. It meant peak or summit, which would mark him as the strongest of the dragonborn. But again, he wanted to distance himself form his connection to the gods.
Which word would turn the meaning of his name around? Grah? Yes finding his identity was a battle but he didn't want to negate vu or kaal, just reinterpret them. He liked tharovin, chaos but that was no single word. What about the opposite then? What about... balance?
Ro.
That... That sounded right. A warmth spread in his chest as he tried out the word in his mind. Ro. Not just the end of an age but the bridge to a new one. Ro. Not just a champion of the gods but occasionally working with the daedra too, whenever it suited him. Ro. Not just a dragon but a human too.
"I think I have it", Harald said as he opened his eyes again and sure enough, a silver-white shimmer surrounded him. "My third name-word shall be ro. Kaal-Vu-Ro."
"Champion at the end of darkness, bringer of balance. Are you sure?" Odahviing asked.
"Yes. I mean, maybe?" Harald hesitated. "It sounds weird when you say it like that."
"I can seen ro. The word itself fits you and it has to. But why did you decide on this order?" the dragon wanted to know.
"Because that's the order in which I got my words? I don't know, it doesn't really matter in my case, does it? I mean, your name, snow-hunter-wing, doesn't really translate to a proper description either."
"Ah, but the order is important", Odahviing disagreed. "My first name-word was od. It was given to me by our father. Yet od is a name you'd expect to give a frost dragon, not myself, a fire dragon. Why name a dragon as red as the flames I spew od? I often wondered as a hatchling. I could not understand it. My nest-mates called me viing and that was much more obvious. I was an excellent flyer. But what would I be if I were Od-Viing-Ah? Snow-wing-hunter. A hunter with snow white wings? That is not me. I am no fo dovah. I became Od-Ah-Viing because I am not a hunter of beasts or even mortals. I gained my recognition in battle with other dragons. I gained it by clawing my way to the top of the hierarchy. Battles between two yol dovah are even. But a yol dovah and a fo dovah fighting against each other can be very dangerous and often ends with death. I defeated many rivals in death duels. So much so I became hunter of the fo dovah. Many centuries that was all my name meant. Snow-hunting flyer. It would not make sense in any other way. Akatosh knew this. He knows all that is and all that is to come. That is how he named me aptly."
"I... see. But whether I'm a balance bringing champion or the champion bringing balance doesn't matter, does it?" Harald replied.
"Your middle word is your core word, it is who you are. Are you a champion? A bringer of Dawn? Or a balancer? Your front word is what you do. If your middle word is an active one, it is what your action is for or against. Do you champion a cause? Do you balance? Or do you put an end do darkness? The last word symbolizes how you do it. My strength in combat is my great maneuverability. I am a hunter but I defeat the fo dovah by expertly dodging their thu'um."
Harald nodded and closed his eyes one last time. The word he most identified with was vu. It was what he was but also what he wanted to be; the one who defeated the bad guys and ended the darkness. Kaal was a word to describe him, it was first thought up by his friends for him. If he were Kaal-Vu, he would name a champion as teh darkness he put an end to and that lead right back to Alduin. He did not want his name to refer to him in any way.
That left only one combination.
Harald breathed deeply as the words settled in his mind. "Ro-Vu-Kaal," he whispered, feeling the weight and meaning of each syllable. The white shimmer around him intensified, glowing brighter as the order of the words clicked into place, each resonating with a purpose.
Odahviing watched him closely, his fiery eyes narrowing with interest. "Balance-Dawn-Champion," he repeated thoughtfully. "You chose this order for a reason. Explain it to me."
Harald nodded, feeling the truth of his decision become clearer as he spoke. "Vu is the core of who I am", he began. "It's the dawn, the beginning, the light that emerges after darkness passes. It is what I strive to be and what I already am for many people."
Odahviing rumbled in understanding. "The dawn, the light that chases away the darkness. But once darkness makes room for light, what does it reveal?"
"Ro", Harald continued, his voice growing stronger, "is balance. My dawn will not just bring about the day that belongs to my father. My dawn is eternal. I uphold the balance. Mortals might be the weakest of races but while I walk among them, no dragon, no vampires or daedra will disrupt their quest for change and progress."
"And kaal," Odahviing prompted, "how does the champion fit into this?"
"Kaal is how I accomplish it," Harald explained, feeling the power of his name settle into place. "As the champion, I'm not just a warrior. I'm the force, the action, the means by which the dawn of balance is brought forth. Kaal is not just who I am, but how I fulfill my purpose. I achieve balance through my actions as a champion, by leading, by fighting when necessary, by being the embodiment of the dawn I seek to create. As Ro-Vu-Kaal, I am not a champion of the gods. I am a champion of mortals... and of dovah", he admitted, if a bit reluctantly. "It is not my purpose to exterminate your kind, as it was the purpose of all the dovahkiin who came before me. There are too many dragons out there I must call allies. In my true name, I will not lie to myself."
Odahviing's eyes gleamed with approval. "You understand now why the order matters. Ro-Vu-Kaal is not just a name—it's your essence, your purpose. You are the dawn aimed at restoring balance, and you do so as a champion. Each word is a part of you, guiding your actions and defining your path."
Harald felt the truth of those words deep within him. The bright glow around him began to fade as the power of his name settled into place. "Yes," he said with conviction. "Ro-Vu-Kaal. Balance is the goal, dawn is my core, and I achieve it by becoming the champion."
Odahviing rumbled a deep, approving growl. "Then go forth, Rovukaal. Your path is clear. Remember, each word in your name is a part of you. Honor each, and you will fulfill your destiny."
Harald... No, Rovukaal nodded seriously and even gave a little bow to the red dragon.
"Thank you for your guidance, Odahviing. I think I know what I need to do now."
"You have grown much. You are young still but your mind has matured. Maybe you are a hatchling no longer", the great red one mused.
Rovukaal gave him a lopsided grin.
"You sure about that?" He turned back to the camp. "Meditation's over, time to continue the journey." With those words and a wide grin, the dovahkiin gave the sleeping Brom a good kick in the side.
"Wake up, sleepyhead! It's back to the horses!"
Brom jolted awake, grumbling as he rubbed his side. "What was that for?" he muttered, still half-asleep.
Rovukaal, his newfound confidence already settling in, smirked down at him. "Time to move. The capital's not waiting for us."
Odahviing watched closely, his fiery eyes narrowing as he noticed the shift in Rovukaal. The Dovahkiin had just grasped his true purpose, yet now he seemed to slip back into a more carefree demeanor. "You have embraced your path, and yet you choose to act like a hatchling once more?" the dragon rumbled, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Rovukaal glanced back at Odahviing, a playful spark in his eyes. "Finding balance between seriousness and humor would do you some good, old friend," he replied with a grin.
Odahviing huffed, a plume of smoke escaping his nostrils. "You are insufferable," he muttered, though his tone was more fondly exasperated than truly annoyed. "But perhaps there is wisdom in your words, Dovahkiin."
Rovukaal chuckled, turning away as he motioned for Brom to follow. "Don't worry, Odahviing. I know the weight of my path. But a little levity never hurt anyone."
As Rovukaal led the way, Brom grudgingly followed, still wary but too reliant on the Dovahkiin to voice his doubts. Odahviing watched them go, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and resignation. The dragon knew that beneath Rovukaal's playful exterior, his purpose remained strong. But the Dovahkiin's journey would be one of both gravity and humor, kindness and cruelty, freedom and dominance—an unpredictable balance that only he could maintain.
XxX
AN: Uhm, hello? Is there anyone still here? I know it's been forever since I updated. It's entirely possible I lost all my readers and I wouldn't even blame you. I personally really like this story and re-read it a lot but I'm often stumped how to continue. Now I just wrote this whole chapter in 1 day. Sometimes, inspiration just strikes I guess?
Anyway, the entire characterization of teh dragonborn was loosely based on the question what his dragon name would be. Finally I got to write it down!
How do you like it?