Winterhold and Windhelm
“Is that Sonin?” A high elf at the bridge of the College asked.
“Good morning Faralda. Surprised to see I’m still alive?” Sonin gave the taller woman an embrace.
“You know I never doubted your abilities. Now, who are these men?” Faralda asked.
“Well, Argis here is my housecarl and the other two twins are members of the Companions. I am their shield sister,” Sonin pointed them all out, “May we pass?”
“I’ll allow it for you, but make sure they behave themselves,” she glared at the men.
“Suspicious as always,” Sonin laughed and led the men through the broken bridge and into the college.
“Why are we here if you wanted to avoid the College?” Vilkas questioned.
Sonin returned the waves of apprentices wandering the yard, “I need a new amulet.”
“Sonin?” A voice questioned with hesitation.
“Onmund?” Sonin turned to the sound.
She was caught off guard by the Nord rushing her, scooping her up in a bear hug. He spun her around before letting her go. His eyes showed many questions at the tense armed me beside her.
“I thought you’d never come back,” he kept his hands on her shoulders. His gaze took her in up and down, “I missed you. You look so different. I can tell you’ve gotten stronger.”
Sonin was oblivious to the man’s romantic interest in her. Vilkas and Farkas could sense his arousal and Argis could see it in the man’s movements with his Thane.
“I don’t know about all that,” Sonin felt awkward at his compliments, “I just look different outside of robes.”
“I’d say,” his eyes finally took in the men with her, “Who are your friends?”
Vilkas felt angry, “We’re her shield brothers.”
Onmund tilted his head as Argis spoke, “I’m her housecarl. I’d appreciate you unhanding my thane.”
“Thane?” The mage questioned, “You really made a name for yourself huh?” He removed his hands, least one of the three men behind her draw their blades. “Savos will want to see you.”
“I’m not here for pleasantries and I’d rather not see him. Can you give me a hand? I need to make a new life amulet,” Sonin asked.
“Of course, anything you need,” Onmund was all too happy to help the woman he had been secretly pinning for for years.
They followed him to the main study room of the college, stopping every so often to exchange words with people that recognised her. He led them to the enchanting table by his room.
“Hasn’t changed a bit here,” she placed a hand on one of his bookshelves.
Onmund held a blush, “Well you know me.” He grabbed a simple silver necklace from his strongbox, “You can use this. I’m sorry it’s not anything fancy.”
“Perish the thought,” Sonin took the jewelry, “It’s perfect.”
The four nords watch her work over the table. Her hands moved over the ingredients for the enchanting, her magic visibly pooling over the simple pendant. Onmund was always amazed by Sonin. She took to every aspect of the college like a fish to water. He was pretty good at enchanting too, but only Sonin and the arch-mage knew how to make the life-ward amulet so powerful.
Sonin straightened her back and wiped the sweat from her brow, “Thank you so much Onmund. Now I don’t have to worry about dying so much now.” She offered him a laugh.
“You wouldn’t have to worry at all if you would stay,” he couldn’t help but say it.
Sonin finished clasping the necklace around her neck, “You know I can’t do that Onmund. I miss everyone here too, but I can’t live up to their expectations. I have more important duties now than to sit inside a tower doing paperwork and kissing Nord ass.”
He snickered, “You were never one for kissing anyone’s ass but Brelyna’s.”
Sonin choked on her own spit and grew a dark hue of pink on the entirety of her face, neck, and ears. “Onmund!”
“What? Oh, I forgot about your friends. You didn’t tell them about her, did you? I’m sorry,” he apologised.
“Who’s Brelyna?” Vilkas raised a brow.
“I guess you could call her my first love? I’m not really sure where we stood, even now,” Sonin tried to will away the heat she felt.
“No one knows what Brelyna feels,” Onmund tried to comfort her, “She did miss you though. Said as much to me and J'zargo.”
“Now that’s a name I haven’t heard in a while. Where is the sneaky bastard?” Sonin asked, happy to get off the subject of her first lover.
“He’s away on a job. Too bad you’ll miss him. I’m sure he would have loved to tease you about traveling with three men,” Onmund glanced at them again, still confused.
“It’s probably for the best. I don’t think I could take another one of his barbed penis jokes,” Sonin chuckled. “Thank you for the help Onmund. I need to get moving though. Have a big bounty to catch.”
She gave him a hug around the neck as he leaned over to reach her height, “Be careful okay? And write to me sometimes so I know you’re still alive.”
“I can do that,” she agreed.
“Leaving without seeing me?” Brelyna asked from across the room.
Sonin stiffened and all four Nords could tell, “Didn’t want to stay too long is all.”
The dark elf strolled to Sonin, ignoring the men around her. She brought a hand down to her chin and tilted her head up, “I’m beginning to think you don’t like me anymore Hla.”
“I was beginning to think you were done toying with me,” Sonin brushed her hand off. “I have business to attend to. If you’ll excuse us,” Sonin led the men away from the elf.
“Don’t be such a muhrjul!” The woman called out, but did not follow.
…
“So...you and a Dunmer?” Argis asked once they were out of the city and looking for the dragon.
“It was a long time ago,” Sonin fiddled with her braid, “It was fun, but one sided. I’d rather not talk too much about it.”
“Are there any more lovers we should’ve known about?” Vilkas asked.
“No you big ass,” Sonin spotted the dragon flying a few miles away, “I didn’t have much of a love life before you. Now get over it. I’m going to call the dragon over here.”
Sonin took a deep breath, inhaling sharply, before letting it out at the sky. The dragon was on them in moments, frost coating the warriors. Sonin sent out fireballs, but only a few hit its mark. The dragon landed, immediately going to Sonin with its sharp daggered teeth. Sonin was kept on the defense as her men swung and slashed at the beast’s body.
“hi kos sahlo!” Sonin yelled and cast up a ward as the frost breathed on her.
“sayye fin Mal dovahkiin,” it rumpled back at her.
“Oh fuck off,” she let loose her strongest fire spell, earning a pained growl from the beast before her.
Argis managed to get on top of the dragon’s neck, doing his best to imitate what he had seen Sonin do before. He nearly stumbled off the dragon several times, but he reached its head and buried his blade into it. The dragon reared up as its body began to burn and flake. Sonin couldn’t stop Argis from falling hard on the ground.
Sonin rushed to him, letting her healing magic flow through him while she absorbed the dragon’s soul, “That was risky Argis!”
“Nothing you haven’t done before,” he smiled at the concern on her face. He loved that she cared about him enough to scold him.
“It’s my job to be risky,” she smirked as she finished healing him.
“And it’s my job to protect you,” he leaned up and caught her lips before she could pull away.
Sonin stood up quickly, thankful that Farkas had physically restrained his brother in that moment. Argis plastered a grin on his face when he looked to Vilkas. He liked seeing the man worked up. Argis had no doubt in his mind that his thane would eventually choose him over either of the twins. He was bound to her, they weren’t.
After collecting the bounty for the dragon, Sonin bought herself a new fur coat. She hated being cold, and Windhelm was the coldest city. It was a beautiful cape made of a white saber cat’s pelt. It nearly touched the ground on her, stopping at her ankles. It did great at hiding her figure from behind, but it brought out her curves from the front. Between that, her new amulet, and the way she had her hair in a half updo, she was stunning. The three men agreed she looked better than the High Queen, even in armor.
“So we’re not far from Windhelm at all. We’ll go straight to the Palace so I can talk to the steward. It would be best if only Argis follows me up toward the front of the building because I wouldn’t want Ulfric to mistake the four of us for a threat,” Sonin left no room for argument.
There were Stormcloaks crawling everywhere as they approached the city. All the city guards were Stormcloak soldiers too. Sonin pulled her cloak tight around her as the wind picked up and sent chills through her. Vilkas moved closer to her, hoping that she could sense some of his body heat from their distance. Werewolves ran hot, which is why Aela didn’t need to wear much to be comfortable.
“Halt. State your business,” A guard at the front gate called out.
“We’re seeking the bounty on the dragon in the hold. I need to speak with the steward to be pointed in the right direction,” Sonin replied.
“Aye. Go ahead to the Palace. Watch yourselves,” he opened the gates.
First thing as they walk in there is a scene before them. A Dunmer woman was being harassed by two Nord men who were threatening to find out that she was an Imperial spy. Sonin didn’t take well to men using their physical prowess to harass and intimidate women. That’s one of the reasons she worked so hard to be good with magic, that way no matter how much stronger a man was she could still take them.
“Hey!” Sonin marched over to protect the woman, “I don’t know what your problem is, but if you don’t stop harassing this woman we’re going to have a problem.”
“You don’t need to-” the Dunmer started but was interrupted.
“What are you? Some sort of elf lover? Got some knife-ear back home to-”
The man didn’t get to finish as Sonin threw a kick to his gut, then a knee to his face when he doubled over, “You shouldn’t put your nose in anyone’s business. Leave this woman in peace or you’ll find my blade next.” Sonin spat on the man’s face when he looked up at her. Argis had his blade drawn and was prepared to run either of the men before her through, but they were weak. Both of them moved away from the small woman with bruised egos.
“You’ve come to Windhelm at a bad time my friend,” the elf said to her, “The Stormcloaks want nothing more than to drive my kind out of the city.”
“Well if they bother you again, I don’t mind taking them out,” Sonin’s tone displayed her seriousness.
“I thank you, but the man you just assaulted is the brother of Ulfric’s housecarl. He is sure to tell his brother and try to get you kicked out of the city,” she explained.
“That milk-drinker doesn’t frighten me, but I thank you for the concern. Please be safe,” Sonin left the woman staring in awe.
“Sonin, you can’t just beat people in the street,” Vilkas told her.
“I believe I just did,” she replied.
“Sonin-”
“Vilkas,” she cut him off.
“Halt,” two more guards stopped them at the Palace doors, “State your business.”
“Here for information on the bounty on the dragon in the hold,” Argis answered this time.
“Only two of you may enter at once,” the guard opened the door for them.
Sonin entered with Argis, sending the twins to the Inn to get rooms for the four of them. Jarl Ulfric himself was on the throne, having some sort of back and forth with his housecarl and commander.
“You think I need to send Balgruuf a stronger message?” Ulfric asked.
“If by message you mean shoving a sword through his gullet,” Galmar replied. Sonin cringed. She was on good terms with the Jarl of Whiterun and would have no issue killing Ulfric if it meant saving him.
“Taking his city and leaving him in disgrace would make a more powerful statement, don't you think?” Sonin relaxed visibly at the Jarl’s reply. She noticed that they were both staring at her approach, along with their steward. Sonin was hoping that he would have ignored her. She didn’t want to be recognised yet. “Only the foolish or the courageous approach a Jarl without summons... do I know you?” His voice vibrated in the air, hinting of his ability of the Voice.
“My jarl,” Sonin offered a nod of respect, “We have met before, once. Though it was brief and I was still in the College’s robe and then...not in them,” Sonin cleared her throat and awkwardly shifted on her feet under Ulfric’s stare. Argis had never seen her squirm like this. “I am here to speak with your steward on the bounty for the dragon in your hold. I didn't mean to interrupt your...discussion.”
“Oh yes I see it now,” he leaned forward on his throne with more enthusiasm in his voice than previously, “You were the one that took on that dragon in Helgen in nothing but your small clothes!” Sonin choked on her spit, earning a laugh from the large Nord in front of her, “Hard to forget someone like that. I see you found your way here. You may be here for the reward on the dragon, but perhaps you also are interested in joining my forces? We could always use brave individuals like you.”
Sonin chose her next words carefully as she remembered Ulfric’s belief that you were either with him or against him, “I apologise my Jarl, but I am only here for information on the dragon. I appreciate the invitation, but I am still too torn on the matter to pick a side in this war. I would prefer to stay out of it, if anything.”
“That’s disappointing,” his jovial tone diminished and he rested back into his throne again, “You would have made a fine officer. The offer remains should you change your mind and decide to be a true daughter of Skyrim.”
“With all due respect,” Sonin was annoyed at his insinuation, “I’m a daughter of Skyrim just as much as you are her son. My father was a proud Nord that I’m sure would have taken up arms to join your cause if he hadn’t been slain by bandits years ago. My mother was a Breton who was a proud Imperial Citizen though. I spent my youngest years able to appreciate both sides of the problem. I share your hatred of the Thalmor, but I do not share your racism.” Sonin watched the anger appear in Galmar, who had drawn his warhammer. Argis had his hand on the hilt of his blade, ready to defend her with his life. “Just as I walked into your city, I had to break up two ‘proud’ Nord men harassing a dark elf woman for simply existing in your walls. None of your soldiers did a thing to stop that from happening. It is not unknown that you hate all elves. I cannot support a man who would rather see Skyrim to be only for the Nords and not for all that wish to make her their home. On the other hand, I cannot support an empire that would bend their knee and suck off the Thalmor sooner than stand up for themselves.”
Ulfric laughed at the last of her words with their vivid imagery. Galmar relaxed at that. “You sound like you should be my adviser. I do not hate all elves.”
“Then you need to make that clear to your men,” Sonin was bold enough to reply.
“You will show respect!” Galmar yelled at her.
“Should I be surprised if a woman that ran toward a dragon shows no fear in speaking with me?” Ulfric asked, “It is refreshing to have a woman be so bold to me. Calm yourself Galmar. This woman has earned enough respect from me to drop the pleasantries and speak freely.”
“Thank you my Jarl,” Sonin looked to his steward, “Could you point me in the direction of the drag-” Sonin cut herself off and looked to the sky that was barely visible through the stained glass windows. “Fuck. Jarl, you need to prepare your guards. There is a dragon coming in quickly.” Sonin didn’t give him time to respond as she was rushing to the door.
“Wait!” He failed to stop her as a guardsman burst through the door yelling dragon.
Ulfric rallied his men and ran out to see this beast for himself. He had heard the dragon had been attacking farmsteads, but he had never seen it before. Ulfric couldn’t have known that it came to the city because it sensed the dragonborn just as she sensed him. The jarl watched as the woman in the sabre fur pooled magic in her hands as her housecarl drew his sword next to her.
“Ulfric! Have your men stay distanced with bows! I can handle it up close, but I can’t protect them if they get too close,” she demanded of him.
“You don’t command my army woman,” his Nord male pride and stubbornness kicked in. “If those Whiterun guards can handle a dragon, my men can too.”
“They only managed because I was there!” Sonin tried to argue, but in the time it took her to turn her attention to him, the dragon had driven down and eaten two men on the ground. “Dammit you stubborn boar. Just listen to me!”
Sonin didn’t have time to try and argue with the jarl. She took a deep breath in and shouted an unrelenting force at the dragon that was just strong enough to make the dragon’s wings falter and ground itself. Ulfric was speechless as he heard the thu’um that came from the woman. The greybeards clearly trained her, but they hadn’t trained a woman in the way of the voice before. It was an exclusively male organisation, so why would she know their thu’um?
“Dovah! luft zu'u!” Her voice came out unnaturally loud.
“Dovahkiin! Het!” The dragon yelled back, its voice shaking the air.
Ulfric knew that name anywhere. He didn’t believe it though. No way could such a small woman, who was only half a Nord, be able to be the dragonborn of legend. He watched as she shot ice shards at the dragon, breaking the skin of his wings in an attempt to keep him grounded.
“hi ahraan zu'u!” The dragon yelled as he shouted fire at her.
Sonin cast up her strongest ward, “Zu'u fen krii hi sivaas!”
Finally Ulfric was moving again. This time he listened to her, directing his men to use bows and keep their distance. He chased after Sonin and the dragon, which were headed to the more open area just outside of the city. Ulfric was amazed at the way she used her magic for offense and defense at the same time. She was as fearless as she was in Helgen. He felt inspired by her and decided to join the few men that were attacking the dragon with their blades.
Sonin did not like his presence, “Jarl! Get out of here!”
“And let you have all the glory?” He yelled back with a smile. He hadn’t been so excited in years.
“Damn it! Ulfric! I-” Sonin was interrupted by the dragon quickly whipping its tail and narrowly missing her head.
Sonin couldn’t let Ulfric die by this dragon. If something happened to him here, there is no telling what his Stormcloaks would do. She didn’t have much time to think as she anticipated as the dragon turned its attention to Ulfric. She cast up a ward to protect him from the dragon’s fire while she ran toward him. The ward broke just as the fire stopped, but the dragon’s teeth were close behind it. Sonin put herself between the dragon and the jarl. A second ward was put up and broken by a swipe of the tail and Sonin wasn’t able to maneuver herself away from the beast’s teeth and claws at the same time. To the horror of her followers, the dragon’s teeth clamped around her waist and its head threw back to thrash her about.
Vilkas and Farkas had to fight back turning just as hard as they were fighting the dragon. Argis felt like it was him in the dragon’s mouth and not his thane. Ulfric was being pulled away by Galmar, stunned that the woman had sacrificed herself for him. Sonin was in so much pain that she couldn’t even feel it as the teeth of the dragon dug deeper and deeper into her. Her amulet would break as soon as it released her, but it was enjoying toying with her first. Argis plunged his blade in the dragon’s chest, making it release her. Sonin was flung to the ground several meters away. The amulet broke as it was meant to and recovered her organs, but she was far from out of the woods. With shaky hands she willed her magic through her body to stop the bleeding from the biggest arteries and veins. She was getting light headed and losing consciousness from the blood loss though. Sonin knew that she wouldn’t heal herself in time to save herself.
Vilkas ended the dragon’s life as Farkas and Argis ran to their fallen leader. They watched as the soul of the dragon flowed into Sonin and slowed some of the profuse bleeding. They had gathered an audience of guards, the jarl, and some people from the city. Farkas fished out a healing potion and poured it down Sonin’s throat. Ulfric called for his court wizard and the alchemists in town. Hopefully, they would make it in time.