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The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.1
Date: 2013-09-04 08:35 pm (UTC)Summary: Elisif gets her first real taste of adventure as Dragonborn, although all the death is going to take some getting used to. However, word of her true identity is spreading and the Draugr may prove to be the least of her worries.
Kodlak looked up from his seat at the small table outside his quarters as Balgruuf approached, Dunmer housecarl and guards behind him, and Maia walking alongside him, looking a little nervous... but not as nervous as you might expect a young woman faced with the Jarl himself to be. Almost as if she knew him somehow. Jordis was alongside her, impassive, and that was something else, the woman having a highly trained bodyguard. Maia of Solitude, Dragonborn, and Vilkas' suspicions she came from a wealthy family and sheltered background were probably spot on. Kodlak began to regret not following politics a little more closely, or perhaps he might be able to guess her family. Was her father the steward? One of the Thanes? Someone in the East Empire Company? Was she one of Elisif's relations? Who knew? But there was some mystery to Maia and while Kodlak had no doubt her heart was true, she was hiding something.
“Jarl Balgruuf,” Kodlak greeted his guest, standing up and offering him a chair. Balgruuf accepted and indicated for Maia to join them. She took the third chair, waiting expectantly. Once again, Kodlak had to wonder why the Jarl wanted to speak to the new Dragonborn – well, he could think of many reasons why, none of them exactly honourable, but that was politics for you. Maia didn't seem that bothered though, in fact she seemed quite cheerful compared to when the Jarl had first walked in. Whatever conversation had transpired, the outcome was something she could live with.
“So, assuming you're not here just to interrogate my Companions, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Kodlak asked. Balgruuf actually laughed at that.
“Hardly an interrogation, Kodlak. You can't blame me for being curious about the Dovahkiin. I just wanted to make sure she was all right and settling in and to make sure she knew I'd assist her if she needed it.”
For a price, perhaps. But Kodlak wasn't so mean-spirited as to say that to his Jarl's face, privileges of age and Harbingership notwithstanding. Besides, Maia actually seemed to be smiling, so presumably he'd at least come across as genuine. Definitely a mystery here, and they definitely knew each other, no doubt in Kodlak's mind now.
“I'm sure she'll call on you if she needs anything, but I assure you we Companions look after our own,” said Kodlak, feeling a little protective of his newest recruit. “Now, was there anything else?”
“Yes, actually,” said Balgruuf. “I wasn't going to come in person, but we do have a job that's ideally suited to one of you. We've been looking to recruit someone since the dragons came back, but no one was really willing to do it. However, I know you don't shirk from a job because it's unpleasant or dangerous.”
“As long as it's honourable,” Kodlak replied, curiosity piqued. “Since the dragons came back – is this to do with dragons then?”
Balgruuf nodded, and Maia perked up immediately. Why did Kodlak have a feeling she was about to volunteer for it?
“What is it?” he asked.
“My court mage is looking into why the dragons have come back,” Balgruuf replied. “He's not got terribly far, but a contact of his seems to think a nearby ruin might have something that could help. Apparently the ruin called Bleak Falls Barrow may contain something called the Dragonstone which may contain information crucial to his research and we need -”
“I'll go!” Maia cried. “I mean, it sounds really important and could be useful and -!”
“Maia,” Kodlak sighed. Oh good, she'd volunteered, no doubt exactly as Balgruuf had intended. This was why he hated politics and disliked most politicians as a rule. Most of the time, it didn't apply to Balgruuf, but sometimes, Kodlak could apply it even then. “Maia, just because you're Dragonborn doesn't mean you have to...”
“I want to,” said Maia stubbornly. “It sounds important and if it helps stop the dragons then it's my duty to help.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.2
Date: 2013-09-04 08:37 pm (UTC)“Tough, I'm going!” Maia snapped. “You do not get to give me orders, Balgruuf! Not even here!” Before Kodlak could fully process that she'd addressed the Jarl of Whiterun of all people by his first name, no title and essentially pulled rank on him in some way, she'd turned hopeful eyes on him. “Kodlak, you don't mind, do you? I mean, Jordis and I can go, can't we?”
Now this was just bizarre. Someone who could tell a Jarl off but wanted his approval? All the same, it seemed her heart was set on going.
“I would never stop a true-hearted Companion from taking on something honourable that they truly wished to do,” Kodlak assured her, feeling rather pleased as her face lit up.
“Yes! Thank you! You won't regret it!” Maia cried. She turned round to the map of Skyrim on Kodlak's desk. “So where is this place then?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elisif was regretting coming down here. She'd been regretting coming down here ever since running into those bandits, but she'd been able to fight them, and that had been a shock, staring down at the bloodied corpses of what had been living human beings until she'd turned up, and the worst part was she didn't even feel that guilty, she felt pleased. Pleased her Thu'um had been stronger.
They didn't even have the Thu'um! But Jordis had patted her on the shoulder and congratulated her and told her not to worry about it, they were just bandits.
Just bandits. But even bandits had mothers and fathers out there to worry about them, and who'd mourn the loss. These would never even get a decent burial. She'd dragged the bodies into the tower and said a quiet prayer to the Eight for them. High Rock raised and born after the war ended, she'd never really known Talos as a god, just an Emperor who'd been worshipped as such, rightly or wrongly. She felt sorry for him, being de-deified like that, but never strongly enough to worship him. Now it appeared she was Dragonborn like him. Made her even less inclined to treat him like a god, but all the same, she could still look up to him a little.
She could wish she had an army like his though. As it was, it was just her and Jordis, although Jordis wasn't exactly a pushover, to put it mildly. They found more bandits at the Barrow itself, all of which proved easy prey, and then had come the Draugr. They'd killed that bandit Arvel – Elisif found it hard to feel too sorry for him, given that he'd reacted to her saving him by running off cackling about treasure – and then they'd turned on her.
Elisif had never encountered undead before, although she'd heard of dustmen and bonewalkers. The reality was worse than the stories, but they proved easy prey in the end, despite the fact that Elisif was screaming her head off throughout. Finally, she and Jordis had made it to a huge cavern, with bats fluttering around and a river running through it... and a Word Wall looming up at the far end.
“This is it,” Elisif whispered. “I can feel it, can't you?”
“Feel what, Maia?” Jordis asked, confused. Elisif paid her no attention, running off to inspect it further. She could feel the air getting heavy, chanting in her ears, power swarming around her as the word FUS glowed out at her, burning into her mind and the dragon soul buried within her unlocking its meaning for her. Force, the power to fling obstacles out of her way. Well, couldn't she use that one.
“Maia?” Jordis was calling, racing up the stairs after her. “Maia, are you – MAIA!”
Elisif turned, dread prickling down the back of her neck. Behind her, the lid of the stone coffin behind her went flying and a Draugr's rattle echoed across the room. It was bigger than the other Draugr, bigger and tougher and was that greatsword enchanted?
“FUS!” she Shouted, sending it staggering back, which was long enough for Jordis to catch up and start fighting it. Then it rallied and the battle was on.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.3
Date: 2013-09-04 08:40 pm (UTC)“I think it's dead. Properly dead.” She looked up at Elisif, impressed. “What was that you did? A new Shout?”
Elisif nodded, pointing at the wall. “Yeah, it was on there. You can't see it glowing though, can you.”
Jordis shook her head, awed. “No,” she whispered, gazing at Elisif in rapture. “You're really Dragonborn! With the Thu'um and everything!”
“Yes,” Elisif said, still hardly able to believe it herself. “Looks like it, anyway.” She picked the Draugr's sword up, admiring it. A Frost enchantment – not that powerful, but potentially useful. She could use two-handed weapons if she had to, although she was better with one-handed. A search of the Draugr itself revealed what they'd been looking for – the Dragonstone. It was a solid lump of rock, and it looked like a map of Skyrim with strange star markings on. Odd. Very odd. But if it was what Balgruuf and Farengar wanted... She put the stone in her pack and went in search of the exit. Time to get the golden claw back to its owner and this stone back to Whiterun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you serious?” Kodlak asked, not entirely able to believe what Vilkas was telling him.
“Serious, Harbinger,” Vilkas affirmed. “That's what the gossip is saying – Jarl Elisif of Solitude is Dragonborn and has left Solitude to go and train with the Greybeards at High Hrothgar. She's planning on coming back, but she's left her steward in charge.”
“There's two Dragonborns?” Farkas said, confused. “Has that ever happened before?”
“No, idiot,” Aela sighed. “Maia is Elisif!”
The entire Circle had withdrawn to discuss this new gossip that had come filtering in – Ria had heard it from one of the guards and told Vilkas, who'd brought it straight to Kodlak, who'd called the Circle in immediately.
“Maia's the Jarl of Solitude?” Farkas said, still frowning. “But why's she not brought her guards with her?”
“Possibly something to do with the fact the only route up to High Hrothgar starts in the Rift, which is Stormcloak territory?” Vilkas said pointedly. “And that if the tale she's Dragonborn is spreading, it's not out of the question Ulfric might decide to set a trap for her there. Her best hope is in no one knowing it's her.”
Precisely, which was probably why she was travelling incognito – or trying to. Of course, something like the Jarl of Solitude being Dragonborn tended to get around. Kodlak couldn't believe he'd not worked it out sooner – of course, no one expected a Jarl to end up being Dragonborn. It did however explain everything, from the top-notch yet barely used equipment, to Maia's ability to tell Jarl Balgruuf off and not have to worry about consequences. Who was on first name terms with a Jarl, other than that Jarl's immediate family? Another Jarl, of course. And who could tell a Jarl what to do? The High Queen in waiting. Not that Balgruuf had committed in the war yet, but it was clear his sympathies weren't with Ulfric.
“So what do we do?” Aela asked. “We're not supposed to get involved in politics! You said so yourself when you advised we not take sides. Are we all Imperials now?”
It was true, Kodlak had said that and he stood by it – but when he looked at young Maia, he'd not seen a politician. He'd seen a naïve young girl in way over her head and in trouble and he'd not hesitated to help her. That was still the case.
“Skjor, what do you think? You've been very quiet,” Kodlak said. Skjor was sitting off to the side, head in his hands.
“I just sparred with the High Queen of Skyrim,” said Skjor, sounding a bit faint. Kodlak hoped he wasn't actually going to keel over. That would be embarrassing.
“I'm sure she won't hold it against you,” said Kodlak reassuringly. “From the look of it, being treated like a normal person is exactly what she wants.”
“She's not normal, she's a Dragonborn!” Vilkas pointed out.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.4
Date: 2013-09-04 08:41 pm (UTC)“Ulfric won't see it that way,” Skjor said, Aela nodding in agreement. “He sees anyone who's not with him as against him. If he were to find out we're harbouring Elisif...”
“Ulfric Stormcloak is, whatever his faults, a true Nord, and he will not move against the Companions of Jorrvaskr if he wants the Nords in his armies to keep supporting him,” said Kodlak firmly.
“No, because up until now, we've stayed out of it,” Aela responded, clearly ill at ease with all this. “Once it becomes known we've got Elisif in our ranks, he'll declare us as having joined the fray after all.”
“Then we do not have Elisif in our ranks,” said Kodlak calmly, amazed at how easily all this politicking was coming to him. “We have among us a young adventurer called Maia and her friend Jordis who are here learning how to fight and make a bit of gold and some stories to tell in the process. And if said adventurer happens to be Dragonborn and requires our assistance in dealing with the dragons, well, we can hardly say no to that, can we? Neither side in the war benefits from the dragons.”
“This sounds awfully dangerous, Harbinger,” said Aela, disapproving. “I hope you know what you're doing.”
Kodlak didn't entirely, no, but on a purely personal level, Elisif had impressed him and he didn't like the idea of the girl being out there on her own with no one at her back. To take part in the legend of the Dragonborn – no true Nord of any honour could say no to that.
If Elisif won her crown, he'd be very happy for her. And if she lost it to Ulfric, she'd need somewhere to go where she'd be protected, safe from political machinations. Kodlak intended for Jorrvaskr to be it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elisif finally made her way back to Jorrvaskr, exhausted but triumphant. She'd dropped the Dragonstone off at Dragonsreach, accepting a set of Orcish armour for Jordis as a reward, before returning to Jorrvaskr. The place was quiet, and she crept into the sleeping quarters, Jordis behind her, grabbed an empty bed and slept.
She woke to Ria kneeling by the bed, smiling at her.
“Hey, you made it!” Ria whispered. “Welcome back, Maia. Did you find the Dragonstone?”
“Yes, it's with Farengar now,” said Elisif, before remembering she was supposed to have never visited Whiterun before and have no connection with the city or the Jarl's court. “At least, I think that's what his name was. The court wizard. The one with the side-burns.”
“That's him,” said Ria, grinning at Elisif, and Elisif had the strange thought that maybe, just maybe Ria knew more than she let on. Elisif sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“What time is it?” she asked, wincing as aching muscles that had been busy fighting Draugr yesterday protested at having to move.
“About ten o'clock. We let you sleep in because we knew you'd been out all day yesterday, but Kodlak wants to see you,” said Ria, growing sombre. That wasn't good news, it really wasn't.
“Me? Why, does he have work for me?” Elisif asked, hoping she wasn't in trouble already.
“He didn't say,” Ria replied, helping Elisif up, although she wasn't quite meeting Elisif's eyes and Elisif knew she was hiding something. “Just that you should see him before taking on any work or going anywhere.”
Mysterious. Elisif thanked Ria and got dressed, before going to find out what the Harbinger wanted.
He was sitting outside his room, having breakfast and looking thoughtful, if a little pensive. He saw Elisif approach and motioned her to sit down with a smile
“Good morning, lass. Did your trip to Bleak Falls Barrow go well?”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.5
Date: 2013-09-04 08:44 pm (UTC)“This is so nice,” she gasped. “I need to come here for breakfast more often!”
“You're quite welcome here any time, my dear,” Kodlak said, smiling. “But I think you and I at least should be honest with each other. I know who you are, Elisif.”
Elisif felt her appetite die as she lowered her toast. He knew – how did he know?? She'd been so careful...
“Please don't tell anyone,” she whispered. “Please, you can't tell anyone, it's too dangerous, you can't!”
“I won't,” Kodlak reassured her. “But you are in terrible danger, and there's limits to Jorrvaskr's protection. If Ulfric were to find out you were here...”
“You're asking me to leave,” Elisif said, staring at the table, fighting back tears of frustration. This wasn't even Stormcloak territory!
“No, lass.” Kodlak reached out and took her hand. “We are Companions of Jorrvaskr and we don't back down from doing the right thing just because someone in another city starts rattling his swords. We do not get involved in politics, lass. The war and your business with Ulfric is your own.”
All well and good but Elisif knew Ulfric all too well and he'd show very little mercy if he knew they were harbouring her at Jorrvaskr.
“It'll be your business if he finds out I'm here!” Elisif cried. “Just by knowingly sheltering me, you've taken a side in his eyes.”
“I know,” said Kodlak, staring into her eyes. “But I'm not afraid of Ulfric Stormcloak, and I'm not going to let him stop me from offering aid to a young woman in need. Elisif, I can't help you with the civil war, but the Dragonborn transcends politics. Any help you need with the dragons, just ask and it's yours.”
Elisif squeezed his hand back, not sure what to say. “Thank you,” she gasped. “I – I really appreciate it. I don't know how much time I'll be able to spend here but it's good to have friends.”
“It is. I have a feeling you're going to need them,” said Kodlak, smile fading. “Elisif, word is spreading about you being Dragonborn. They say you absorbed a dragon soul in the middle of Solitude, is that true?”
Elisif winced and nodded. It was going to get out sooner or later, but she'd naively hoped for later.
“Everyone's going to know soon enough, aren't they?” she asked. Kodlak nodded sympathetically.
“I'm afraid so. As it is, people already know you're going to High Hrothgar. It occurred to some of us the only way to that monastery involves heading into Stormcloak territory. If we thought of it, Ulfric will when he hears the news. You need to leave and leave today before he can get troops in place.”
She'd been intending to do that very thing anyway, but the thought of an army of Stormcloaks lying in wait for her was disconcerting to say the least, and not something she'd considered.
“You really think he would?” Elisif whispered, but she didn't need to ask, of course he'd do that very thing. If word had got into Whiterun yesterday, it wouldn't take long to reach Windhelm. Ulfric would need time to get a troop of soldiers into place, a day to send the orders then a day or two for them to assemble? She did not have long.
“Then I need to get going,” said Elisif firmly. “Who else knows here?”
“The Circle, I called them in when the news reached my ears. They understand the situation and won't sell you out, don't worry,” Kodlak assured her. “Also young Ria. Don't know if the others do yet, but it's difficult to keep something like that quiet. Best you go now.”
Elisif nodded, snatching a couple of toast slices and taking her leave. Time to wake Jordis and get ready to leave. She had Greybeards to meet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Maia.” Elisif stopped as Ria called to her from the bed she was sitting on. “You're leaving, aren't you? For High Hrothgar.”
“Keep your voice down!” Elisif hissed. The room was empty apart from a just waking Jordis, but Elisif didn't believe in taking chances.
“What's up?” Jordis asked, rubbing her eyes. “Something wrong?”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.6
Date: 2013-09-04 08:45 pm (UTC)“Yes, Maia,” said Jordis, immediately alert. “I'll get ready at once.”
Elisif passed her housecarl her armour and weapons and looked away while Jordis got changed. Ria was still there, biting her lip and looking as if she desperately wanted to say something.
“Yes, Ria, what is it?” Elisif asked.
“Can I come?” Ria pleaded. “Please? I mean, you could use all the help you can get and I'd love to go adventuring with the Dragonborn!”
Jordis did look up at that, wary and on guard. “Maia, with all due respect, I don't think taking someone else is a good idea...”
Elisif wasn't entirely sure herself, but Kodlak had said Ria knew who she was, more help was always welcome, and if Ria was in on it, Elisif wanted her where she could see her.
“Fine, you can come, but you need to get ready now, we're not hanging around. Also I don't know what you may have heard, but my name is Maia and that's what you'll be calling me, got it?”
“Yes, Maia,” Ria said, although the look in her eyes told Elisif that Ria knew damn well who she was. At least Ria was Imperial and unlikely to support Ulfric, and more to the point, Kodlak had believed in her sufficiently to let her into the Companions. That meant she was trustworthy, right?
Elisif hoped so, for everyone's sake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ivarstead had been quiet when Elisif finally got there. There'd been a few beasts on the way but nothing the three of them hadn't been able to handle. Then the welcoming sight of Ivarstead itself up ahead and best of all, no Stormcloaks in sight other than the town's guards, all of whom had just glanced their way and let them pass.
The inn had been cosy enough, although the innkeeper's stories of ghosts haunting the nearby barrow had set them all on edge. Then Ria had whispered that they could go and investigate, and while Jordis had whispered back they were meant to be going up to High Hrothgar before Ulfric got here, Elisif had had to agree with Ria. The poor man's livelihood was at stake! What sort of queen didn't help in this sort of situation? In the end, they'd lost another day while Elisif had ventured in to Shroud Hearth Barrow. Turned out the alleged ghost had been an explorer trying to break into the place, and while Elisif had felt sorry for him, that had not stopped her from defending herself when he'd attacked and then carving him up with that enchanted greatsword from Bleak Falls Barrow.
The gratitude from Wilhelm had been worth it though, and the gift of a dragon claw key to unlock the rest of the barrow and the Word Wall hiding inside had been even more so. Jordis had been mollified by a new sword and shield, and Ria was very proud of the steel plate armour they'd found in there, so her companions at least were happy. Just the monastery now.
And so they made their way up the mountain, dealing with wolves and frostbite spiders, and saying hello to the odd pilgrim and it had all gone well until they'd encountered the troll.
True Nords never back down and nor did Elisif, hacking at the troll with her axe and getting a couple of good blows in before it lashed out and sent her reeling in a spray of blood.
Oh. Oh, this was not good. The claws had mostly gone for her chest and Elisif watched in faint horror as her blood pooled out in front of her. Wincing, she tried to focus, tried to cast that healing spell Sybille had taught her but she was so weak and dizzy and her strength was fading...
Jordis had flung herself screaming into the fight with the troll, finally killing it as she shoved her sword into its chest, while Ria was going through her pack now, grabbing a healing potion and holding it to her throat. Elisif drank, feeling her strength return, and then another potion, and another, until finally she felt better. She risked looking down at herself, sitting in the pink snow, armour hanging off and two parallel scars crossing her chest, just under the collarbone.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.7
Date: 2013-09-04 08:47 pm (UTC)“Maia, are you alright?” Ria asked softly, concerned. Elisif nodded, motionless while Jordis produced some replacement armour straps and fixed her outfit for her.
“I'm fine,” said Elisif, eyes falling on to the dead troll. It was dead, she wasn't. That was the important thing, right?
“You don't look it, are you sure-?” Ria placed a hand on Elisif's shoulder and Elisif lost her temper, shoving Ria away.
“I said I'm fine!” Elisif shouted, and she could have sworn the air shook with the sound of her voice. Ria had backed off, looking seriously worried and a little afraid of her, and Jordis had sat back, one hand instinctively going to her sword hilt. Elisif met her eyes and immediately looked away, guilt filling her. Gods, what was wrong with her, they were just scars, lots of people had them, and Ria was just trying to help! Elisif shivered, staring at her hands, wishing that the voice in her head that kept urging her to rip, tear, kill, destroy would just shut up. Aedra help her, what was she turning into??
“I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I just... I'm OK, really, I'm just exhausted and scared and... look, can we get moving, I'm freezing out here.”
Ria was watching her carefully, looking wary, but at length she nodded and helped Elisif up. Jordis didn't react at all, her housecarl training kicking in. Elisif had no idea what was actually going on in their heads, but most likely they both thought she was losing it completely. She wasn't entirely certain they were wrong.
Definitely time to talk to the Greybeards. If anyone could help her, they could.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Next chapter - Elisif meets Arngeir, and then things really get interesting.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.3
Date: 2013-09-05 03:34 am (UTC)Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.3
Date: 2013-09-05 06:53 am (UTC)