Chapter 4 : Riverwood

Whiterun was almost a day's journey from Riverwood. Fortunately, Delphine was making the trip with an empty cart, allowing Hunfen to avoid several hours of walking by riding along. The road descended through the valley, following the course of the river and skirting the pine forest.

During their journey, a few wolves approached. Thanks to his nomadic life with his father, Hunfen had learned about the behavior of these animals: they were actually quite fearful and rarely attacked prey capable of vigorous defense. The young Nord managed to repel them with his flames, taking the opportunity to train his skills as he had promised Ralof and Hadvar. His new dagger stayed within reach, ready to be drawn, but the wolves had not insisted. Delphine also kept a short sword beside her, much to the child's surprise, as he had never imagined the old innkeeper in a fight.

As they advanced, the forest gave way to a vast plain where several farms had been established. On this sunny afternoon, farmers were busy harvesting wheat while windmills turned steadily. In the distance, a fortified city surrounded by stone walls proudly stood on a hill. Whiterun, their destination. At one end, Dragonsreach, a massive wooden construction, the residence and seat of Jarl Balgruuf, overlooked the city.

From one of the farms, an unusual commotion caught Hunfen's attention. Cries and sounds of combat reached his ears, piquing his curiosity. Suddenly, he saw the gray, massive arm of a giant brandishing a club emerge from behind a barn. A moment later, a thud resounded as the club struck the ground violently.

Hunfen jumped from the cart and rushed towards the scene, intrigued by the unusual situation. Giants rarely ventured near settlements and were generally peaceful, as long as people didn't get too close to their camps or mammoths. Three warriors were fighting the imposing creature: an archer was shooting arrows with remarkable precision, while a tall man in heavy armor wielded a two-handed sword, and a woman fought with a sword and shield.

Hunfen drew his dagger and dashed towards the giant, determined to help the warriors. Upon reaching the giant's feet, he realized his helplessness: his weapon could only slightly scratch the creature's calf, and he found himself constantly dodging to avoid being crushed. Finally, he focused his magic and unleashed his flame spell blindly. The giant doubled over, screaming in pain. With a furious kick, it sent Hunfen flying several meters back into a wheat field.

As he struggled to get up, Hunfen noticed that the three warriors had taken advantage of the situation to gain the upper hand. Shortly after, they succeeded in slaying the monster.

The young Nord stood up painfully, his breath labored. His back ached, as did his chest, stomach, legs, and head. He dusted himself off and was surprised to find that he had no broken bones. He retrieved his dagger from the ground nearby and approached the warriors.

The man in heavy armor, a dark-haired Nord with an imposing build, burst into hearty laughter. "Haha, well done, little cub! This tale will be told at banquets, and you'll be called 'Jewels scorcher'!" he exclaimed joyfully.

The two women, however, did not share their companion's mirth. "Don't listen to him!" retorted the archer, a red-haired Nord woman with war paint on her face. "Farkas isn't known for his sharp wit, and your courage deserves a more dignified name! 'Fearless Flame,' that's what we'll call you!"

Hunfen didn't grasp Farkas' humor but felt himself blush under the compliments. Behind the three warriors, he saw Delphine rushing towards him, furious at his recklessness.

"Hunfen, what were you thinking, throwing yourself into danger like that?" she exclaimed. "You could have been killed!"

The three warriors greeted her and reassured her about the boy's condition. Then the woman with the shield, a rather stocky Imperial, introduced herself:

"We are members of the Companions, a group of warriors based in Whiterun. I'm Ria, this is Aela, and Farkas." The archer continued, addressing Hunfen: "If you were a bit older, I'd tell you to join us! But you'll need a few more years!"

Hunfen, relieved to see they weren't upset with him for intervening, introduced himself and explained his purpose for coming to Whiterun. Farkas, still amused, suggested, "We're returning to Jorrvaskr, our headquarters. It's in the heart of the city; we can accompany this young Fearless Flame to the Jarl."

Ria and Aela agreed, and Delphine also nodded, finally reassured by the presence of the experienced warriors.

oOo

Hunfen, Delphine, and the Companions arrived in Whiterun at dusk. The city gates were guarded by two armed men. One of the guards stopped the group, looking nervous: "Halt! The city is under emergency; a dragon has been spotted in the southern mountains!"

"This boy is from Riverwood," Aela indicated. "He has a message for the Jarl about this."

"So Riverwood is in danger, isn't it?" replied the guard, his nervousness unabated. "Hurry, Jarl Balgruuf will want to be informed as soon as possible!"

Entering the city, Delphine took her leave of the group: "This is where we part, Hunfen," she announced to the child. "You are now in good hands, and I have things to do. Good luck with the Jarl!"

The young Nord watched her leave for a moment. This woman was definitely not very warm. Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he snapped out of his reverie and turned to see Farkas smiling and inviting him to continue.

Despite the late hour, the city was still bustling. Passersby strolled through the streets lined with wooden and stone houses, their roofs covered with thatch or wooden shingles. Hunfen, who had rarely had the chance to visit the capitals of Skyrim's nine holds, was amazed by everything he could see in one place. They passed a forge, reminding the child of his dagger, chipped during the fight with the giant. He asked, "Can I have my dagger repaired here?"

"We'll take care of it at Jorrvaskr, don't worry!" Farkas replied. "That's where the best forge and the best blacksmith in all of Skyrim are!"

Their route took them through the entire city, constantly climbing through the three large districts. Along the way, Hunfen noticed several children his age: here, a richly dressed Nord boy being pushed around by a strong-willed Redguard girl. There, a farmer's daughter helping her mother at a vegetable stall. Further on, another girl sitting on a bench, begging for a few septims from passersby. Hunfen felt a longing to meet them, but he had a mission to accomplish.

After about ten minutes, they arrived at a large square with an enormous tree in the middle. Unfortunately, the tree, whose canopy should have shaded the surroundings from the sun, seemed to be withering, and no leaves covered it. Around it, Hunfen could see the Temple of Kynareth, where the disciples, in these troubled times, mainly tended to war wounds. A large stone building with an unusual ship-like roof faced it: Jorrvaskr, the Companions' headquarters and, as Aela informed him, the oldest building in the city.

Next to it, a colossal statue of Tiber Septim, founder of the Empire at the end of the Second Era, whom legend had elevated to the rank of Divine under the name Talos, stood proudly. At the foot of the monument was a small altar where a priest preached to passersby. Aela let out a nervous laugh and commented, "That Heimskr ! He's really brave to keep preaching like that in broad daylight!"

"True," Ria replied. "He's really going to get in trouble with the Thalmor. And I wouldn't want to tangle with those damned elves!"

Intrigued, Hunfen asked, "Why? What do they have against him?"

"The worship of Talos has been banned since the end of the Great War. The Thalmor arrest anyone who defies this ban. Since then, Heimskr makes it a point to preach Talos' word openly. It's brave, but very dangerous for him."

Their paths separated here for now, with Aela and Hunfen continuing to Dragonsreach, while the other Companions returned to Jorrvaskr. The young Nord hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly entrusted his dagger to Farkas to be handed over to their blacksmith.

Aela, seeing Hunfen's anxiety, reassured him. "Don't worry, Eorlund will take good care of your dagger. Now, listen to me: when you speak to the Jarl, speak clearly, stand tall, and look at him in the eyes. Jarl Balgruuf doesn't like unnecessary bowing, so get straight to the point and state the facts clearly. Be confident and trustworthy."

The boy nodded, thanking Aela for her advice, before following her up the monumental staircase leading to Dragonsreach.

oOo

Hunfen paused in front of Dragonsreach's entrance, impressed by the size and beauty of the wooden edifice that loomed over the city like a giant guardian. The Nordic architecture, with its sloping roofs and carved wooden beams, gave it a majestic and powerful appearance.

Climbing the last steps apprehensively, he entered the palace's grounds. Inside, he discovered a large paved courtyard surrounded by stone walls adorned with Whiterun's banners. Guards patrolled the courtyard, their armor gleaming and swords at their sides, while servants busied themselves with various tasks. In front of the palace, a large basin had been dug, crossed by a wooden bridge leading to the main door.

Hunfen advanced slowly, captivated by the life teeming within this fortress. Looking up, he saw wooden balconies overlooking the courtyard, likely allowing the Jarl and his family to observe what was happening below.

Crossing the threshold, Hunfen found himself in an imposing hall that took his breath away. Two long tables of massive wood, meant for banquets and meetings, flanked an immense hearth in the center of the floor. Flames danced and warmed the atmosphere, creating a welcoming space despite the room's size. Large columns supported the ceiling, and tapestries with intricate patterns decorated the walls adorned with frescoes depicting Nordic history and epic battles. The Jarl's throne stood at the far end of the hall, on a raised platform, surrounded by guards and advisors. A lively discussion was taking place there.

As Hunfen and Aela moved through the hall, a formidable and authoritative woman approached them. The child immediately noticed her dark, almost ashen skin, typical of the Dunmer, the Dark Elves of Morrowind. Her piercing red eyes were intense and seemed to scrutinize their souls. Her brown hair was pushed back, free and untamed, framing a face with high cheekbones and slightly bluish skin. She wore sturdy leather armor, with matching bracers and greaves, highlighting her athletic and agile figure. At her hip hung a steel sword, which she had left in its scabbard for the moment. It was clear she was an experienced warrior and not to be taken lightly.

"Halt! Who are you, and what do you want? The Jarl isn't receiving visitors," she said firmly, arms crossed over her chest.

Aela replied confidently, not at all intimidated by the Dunmer's attitude. "I am Aela of the Companions, Housecarl Irileth. As for this young man, he carries a crucial message for the Jarl." As she spoke, she made a slight motion with her arm to present Hunfen, encouraging him to speak up.

Hunfen took a deep breath and tried to remember Aela's advice. However, standing before Irileth and under the eyes of the Jarl, the impressive atmosphere of the place unsettled him. Despite his nervousness, he tried to gather his thoughts and look confident.

"Gerdur and Alvor sent me... Riverwood is in danger... There's a dragon... The dragon destroyed Helgen…" he said hastily. The words spilled out in a jumble, betraying his anxiety.

Irileth let a smile of amusement show at the boy's haste and nervousness. "You have information about Helgen? The Jarl will want to speak with you personally. Come forward," she said, inviting Hunfen to approach the throne.

Aela placed a reassuring hand on Hunfen's shoulder and gave him an encouraging look, giving him the confidence he needed to face the Jarl. The young Nord, regaining his composure, walked toward the Jarl to deliver his message with more determination.

The child observed Jarl Balgruuf with a mix of respect and apprehension. The man who sat before him was imposing, seated on his richly decorated throne. His noble and elegant clothes were richly embroidered with complex patterns that showcased the craftsmanship of Whiterun's artisans. They left his arms bare, revealing muscular forearms that indicated he was still familiar with the art of combat despite his position. Before Hunfen could say a word, Balgruuf asked:

"Young man, you seem quite agitated. What is happening in Riverwood? Speak without fear."

Hunfen tried to calm his racing heart, gathering the courage he needed to speak to the Jarl. In a clear, though still somewhat trembling voice, he replied:

"A dragon destroyed Helgen. Gerdur and Alvor sent me to seek help; they fear it will attack Riverwood."

The Jarl frowned, a mix of doubt and curiosity crossing his face. "The blacksmith and the sawmill owner, right? They're not ones to tell tall tales. But are you sure it wasn't a Stormcloak raid gone wrong?"

Hunfen felt a surge of frustration. He knew what he had seen. "I saw the dragon!" he replied, more hastily than he intended. "I was at Helgen when it attacked! Then it flew towards Riverwood, but it didn't stop."

Balgruuf's face showed a moment of sharp concern. Hunfen felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps the Jarl would take his words seriously.

"By Ysmir, Irileth was right!" exclaimed the Jarl. He turned to his steward, a balding Imperial. "Proventus, do you still have faith in our walls? Against a dragon?"

"We must send a detachment of guards to Riverwood immediately!" Irileth insisted. "If this dragon is roaming the mountains…"

"The Jarl of Falkreath will see this as a provocation!" Proventus interrupted. "He'll think we've joined the Stormcloaks and that we…"

"Enough!" thundered Balgruuf, silencing everyone. Hunfen started, his eyes wide as he looked at the Jarl, surprised by his sudden authority. "I will not sit idly by while a dragon burns my towns and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once. If Siddgeir has any sense, Falkreath's guards are already patrolling the area!"

Irileth nodded in acknowledgment and swiftly exited the hall to carry out the Jarl's orders. Hunfen felt a wave of relief wash over him, somewhat reassured by the idea that Riverwood would be protected in case of an attack.

Balgruuf turned back to the boy, his gaze softening as he seemed genuinely concerned for his well-being. "You have done Whiterun a great service, young man. Did you live in Helgen? What is your name, for a start?"

Hunfen, having regained some composure, began recounting his adventures. "My name is Hunfen, son of Olfand of Darkwater Crossing." He then detailed the events of the previous day: his capture by the Imperials, the narrowly avoided execution, the destruction of Helgen, the flight to Riverwood, and finally his quest to Whiterun.

Balgruuf nodded gravely and said, "Your bravery and courage are admirable, Hunfen. We will do everything we can to find your father and let him know you are safe. I will send messengers to Darkwater Crossing and the surrounding areas of Helgen to try and locate him. In the meantime, you will need a place to stay."

Hunfen felt a mix of gratitude and relief, happy to know his father would be informed of his situation and that he would have a place to take refuge for the time being. Aela, who had been observing the scene silently, stepped forward and spoke. "My Jarl, this boy is welcome at Jorrvaskr. While we were fighting the giant that attacked Pelagia's farm, he didn't hesitate to join the battle. He managed to distract the monster by attacking it with his dagger and flame spell. His bravery gave us an opening to deliver the decisive blow. Thanks to this young warrior's intervention, we were able to defeat the giant."

Hunfen felt his cheeks flush under the Jarl's and the Companions' gaze. He had acted without thinking, driven by his desire to help and protect others. He never thought his actions would be recognized in this way. Balgruuf paused and let out a laugh tinged with disapproval. "Fleeing a dragon only to face a giant? You are indeed bold, young Hunfen! But there is a fine line between courage and recklessness. If the Companions are willing to take you in for a few days, I have no objection, but do not leave the city walls."

Hunfen nodded in agreement. However, a slight disappointment crept into his heart, feeling a bit of bitterness at the Jarl's remark, which seemed to downplay his achievement. He promised himself to learn from this experience and become stronger to protect those around him, and perhaps thus earn everyone's respect.

After exchanging a few words of thanks with the Jarl, Hunfen and Aela took their leave and headed together to Jorrvaskr for the night.