Choosing Sides

I had the Shout to capture a dragon. We had a plan to capture a dragon. I thought that would be it, that we could simply head back down the mountain to Whiterun and prepare. Instead, there was one last surprise in stall, but this time I would be on the receiving end of said surprise.

"Dragonborn, we need to talk," Delphine stated as the last of the Imperial delegation departed.

"About what?" I asked, trying to be friendly.

"We know about Paarthurnax," she stated.

"Your point being?" I asked, making the smallest gesture possible that each Companion would have recognised in an instant. I kept my eyes focused on her but knew they would be moving into position. If she was as good as she said she was, then she should have recognised it.

"He's a dragon. These Greybeards have been protecting him for all these years."

"So he is. You're incredibly well informed." I'll admit, I was being sarcastic, while also wondering how she'd found out. "But he also helped me. So, I ask again, what's your point?"

"The point is, Dragonborn, the you may have needed his help. Now you don't. It's long past time for him to pay for his crimes. And he's not just any dragon. He was the right hand of Alduin. He committed atrocities so infamous they are still remembered, thousands of years later."

"You dare state these words in our hall? Begone at once!" Arngeir cried.

"Indeed. Do you not understand where we are standing?"

"I'll put this simply. Who do you stand with? The Blades or the Greybeards?"

"You're seriously asking me to make this choice, right here, right now, with what is on the horizon? Where is your loyalty to the Dragonborn? Empty words, were they?"

"He needs to die. He deserves to die. And it falls to you to kill him. Until he's dead... well, I'm sorry, but we would dishonour our oaths as Blades if we continued to help you."

"Your oath was never actually to the Dragonborn, was it?" She chose not to reply. Before she could make a move or a sound, my sword was unsheathed, the tip at her throat. Other swords were unsheathed and readied around me. "You dare ask me to do that?" I growled, "You dare ask that question in this place? You dare ask that question of me? I am not and will not be ordered to do anything!"

"Dragonborn, blood shall not be spilled…"

"It will not be spilled, Master Arngeir. I have an urge to spill it, but I won't unless forced."

"Think carefully your next move, Dragonborn. You do not want me as an enemy."

I laughed. "Well, you're certainly no ally, that is for sure. I have wondered of your intentions for some time. Now my suspicions have been proven correct."

"Dragonborn, maybe…"

I cut Esbern off. "No. No more. I am not your tool. I am my own man and will follow my own path. And I will certainly no longer listen to either of you. And I will no longer be the so-called dragonslayer you think I should be. And what you are going to do now is… You will leave High Hrothgar. You will return to your temple. And I will leave you to go about your business. But if I receive word of any interference with my plans, then rest assured I will pay you a visit."

Delphine's eyes narrowed. "So you've made your choice?"

I got in close, close enough so she would feel my breath on her face. "You should be glad I don't hand you over to that Thalmor bitch."

"You wouldn't dare?"

I stepped back, keeping my sword to her neck. "I wouldn't suggest you try me. My patience is already worn out." I removed the sword from her throat and pointed at the door. "You are free to leave with your weapons. Paarthurnax will not be harmed. If I find out about any attempt on his life, I will be visiting the temple. If I hear of any visits to High Hrothgar that is not of myself or my allies, I will be visiting the temple. If you choose to change your mind and accept the fact that I will make my own choices as Dragonborn, then I may forgive you for asking such a question. But to forgive such disloyalty?" I shook my head. "That will be a very hard thing to do."

Delphine glared for another few seconds before she turned and left without another word. "Dragonborn, please…"

"No, Esbern. This was always going to happen. I will follow as best I can the Way of the Voice. I will defeat Alduin, that is what must be done. But I will choose to use my gift how I see fit. You have my thanks for your help and assistance in this matter. I had hoped it would not come to this."

The old man nodded. "Me too, Dragonborn. Me too." He offered his hand and appeared grateful that I accepted.

I watched the old man follow Delphine out the door, two of the Companions following them out, walking back in a few seconds later, nodding my way to suggest they had definitely departed. I walked back into our quarters and sat down, I'll admit feeling rather deflated. I'd always been suspicious of her motives but for it to have blown up in my face like that was hard to take. I looked around, receiving one or two sympathetic glances, while I knew Lydia was probably itching to simply say 'I told you so'. I wouldn't have a thing had she done so.

"That's been coming some time," Lydia finally stated. I only nodded.

"Dragonborn, we… I underestimated you…"

I shook my head. "No, Master, you did not. Dragons will still die by hand, no matter how hard I wish to be peaceful. But it will be through my choices alone. I will not have my life dictated to me by anyone." I met his eye. "But I still appreciate your guidance."

He bowed. "High Hrothgar shall always be open to you and your friends, Dragonborn."

"What do we do now?" Farkas asked.

"We head home and prepare for what happens next."

We left the next morning, sharing a heartfelt thank you and farewell with Arngeir, unsure if I would ever see the old man again. He simply wished me good luck with whatever happened next and hoped he would see me again one day. Otherwise, he simply thanked me himself for choosing to follow the Way of the Voice. Or, he knew, at least to the best of my abilities, accepting life down below was far different to the peaceful lives the Greybeards enjoyed.

Once we were on the road back to Whiterun, having descended the mountain, we split into small groups and soon there was plenty of chatter and laughter. I'll admit I didn't participate too much in the laughter. I was still fuming over what happened with Delphine and part of me wondered if I shouldn't have just finished the job. 'I wonder what she'll try next, if anything. I hope she'll simply heed my warning and stay out of my way.' But I was generally deep in thought about what would happen next because catching a dragon was something that I'd never even contemplated before the idea had been suggested.

"So what do you think they'll do?" Lydia finally asked, obviously leaving me alone with my thoughts for some time.

"Who?"

"The Blades."

I couldn't help the sigh. "Honestly, I don't really care what they do, as long as they stay out of my way."

"How do you think they found out about Paarthurnax?"

I shrugged. "No idea. The only thing I can think is that there was some sort of archive at the temple they found after we left. Otherwise… Well, Esbern is also pretty clued up about the history of dragons. Perhaps there was something he knew, put two and two together or… I really don't know…"

"So what happens once you catch the dragon?"

"I don't know, but all I know now is that I can afford no other distractions. Nothing else matters now until the dragon crisis is over. Well, except one thing…"

"What's that?"

"I need to be clean for whatever is to come next."

"You wish to be cured?" Farkas asked. I nodded. "When do you want to do this?"

"Before we actually capture the dragon."

"We can go tomorrow if you wish?"

"Very well. Let's get back to Whiterun first, though, and find out what they have planned."

We were stabling our horses later that afternoon, most of the Companions having already wandered into town, only Lydia, Aela and I finishing up when Skulvar called my name. I turned to see three strangely dressed people heading towards us. And they certainly didn't look friendly, their faces covered in strange masks, the rest of their body covered in what appeared to be robes. I felt Lydia and Aela formed up to either side as I cautiously approached the trio walking towards us.

"You there! You're the one they call the Dragonborn?"

"Who's asking?"

"Answer the question."

I glanced at Lydia and Aela, both returning a near imperceptible nod. We knew what was going to happen. Probably. "Yes. I am the Dragonborn."

Two of the three summoned flames as the third pointed at me. "Your lies fall on deaf ears, Deceiver. The True Dragonborn comes... You are but his shadow."

If they thought they were going to get the jump on us, they were sadly mistaken. And they likely underestimated the speed at which I could unsheathe my sword and start swinging. Even faster was Aela, who leapt on one of the robed men, her dagger I think finding the neck. I can't exactly be sure, as I had my sword out, cutting up diagonally from hip to shoulder of the robed man in front of me, hearing his cries as blood whipped over the colleague next to him, who found a sword through his gut as Lydia stepped forward.

It all happened in barely three seconds.

"By oblivion, who were they?" Aela asked.

"Are they dead?" I asked, seeing the one I'd cut had spilled a lot of blood. Aela and Lydia said their opponent was also dead. Figuring this needed investigating, we checked the bodies. I eventually found a blood stained note in a pocket of one of them.

'Board the vessel Northern Maiden docked at Raven Rock. Take it to Windhelm, then begin your search. Kill the False Dragonborn known as Ragnar before he reaches Solstheim.

Return with word of your success, and Miraak shall be most pleased.'

I handed the note to Lydia, passing it to Aela to read as well. "Solstheim? Never heard of it."

"My geography of Skyrim is good, or so I like to think, but I can't think of where Solstheim is," Aela stated.

"Lydia?" I asked. She shook her head. "Any idea on who Miraak is?" Both shook their heads. "But we have a ship name at least."

"What are you going to do?" Lydia asked.

"About this right now? Absolutely nothing. These idiots are dead. I at least have a ship name, a place of departure and destination if I want to worry about this later on."

"What about the bodies?" Aela asked.

"We'll tell the guards about them as we walk by." I noticed Skulvar approach, looking rather white. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine, Dragonborn. I've just never seen anything like it."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "Meet us in the inn later on and we'll share some stories. This, my friend, was nothing."

After telling the guards about what had happened near the stables, with a simply reply of 'No worries, Dragonborn, we'll clean it up. No questions asked', I headed up to Dragonsreach. I met the Jarl in his map room, surrounded by his staff and also Farengar, all eyes falling upon me as I ascended the stairs. The Jarl walked forward, hand outstretched, and we embraced as warriors.

"I admit, I really didn't expect you'd be able to arrange a truce, Dragonborn. Getting Ulfric to agree to anything at all is quite an achievement. And the way you battered both of them with your words. I wonder if you could not end the war yourself once the dragon crisis is dealt with."

"It had to be done. They were prepared to walk away. So was I."

"Did you mean what you said?" Irileth asked.

"About what?"

"About letting their cities burn?"

I avoided the question for a moment, removing my helmet and taking a nearby seat. "Honestly?" I paused again. "Yes. I'd have protected Whiterun to the best of my ability, but helping them, if they couldn't see the bigger picture, then no, I wouldn't have lifted a finger. They're as pig-headed as each other."

"Harsh, Dragonborn. Harsh, but also fair," the Jarl stated, nodding his head, "But they took your bluff."

"I didn't like having to threaten them but I was left with no choice."

"No matter what, Whiterun will stand with you, Dragonborn. We will take the risk, and gain the glory, whether it be in victory or defeat! So what's the plan, then? How do you intend to lure a dragon into the trap?"

"I have an idea. It'll take some explaining and then preparation on your part. Simply put, there are giant chains here that can be used to hold a dragon. I just have to draw one here."

"And you'll do that by…?"

"Shouting a challenge and forcing one to confront me."

"You'll fight a dragon here?" Irileth asked.

I nodded. "It has to be done. It's the only way I can track Alduin."

The Jarl shared a glance with those around him. "Right, you'd better explain the details."

We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening discussing details, not just in regards to capturing the dragon, but also further details about the truce agreed while the Jarl also asked some probing questions about my relationship with the Blades. I figured someone had had a quiet word in his ear about the ultimatum from Delphine and my response. I was honest and told him what happened. He wasn't surprised about my loyalty to the Greybeards but obviously now knew about Paarthurnax.

"He's an ally," I put it simply.

"But he's a dragon?"

"I trust the Greybeards. The Greybeards trust him. I'll abide by their wisdom. I have learned much from them all."

The Jarl was quiet for a moment, deep in thought. Then he shrugged. "You and they would certainly know far more than myself. If you believe it is the right course of action, then who am I to question."

"Thank you for understanding, sir."

"But to have the Blades as enemies, Dragonborn. They once served the Septim emperors…"

"There are only two of them. I will leave them alone as long as they do not interfere. As for Paarthurnax, he has lived in peace at the top of that mountain for thousands of years. He has assisted the Greybeards within that time. He has much wisdom to provide, though I know most people would not be as understanding as some."

The jarl looked at Irileth, Farengar and Hrongar. "This is not to leave these walls. Understood?"

"Yes, my jarl," the three replied in unison.

"There is just one thing I must do before we put this plan into action."

"Of course, Dragonborn. We will begin preparations and simply wait for your word to begin. But when can we expect your return?"

"I'll leave tomorrow and hope to be gone no longer than three or four days. I intend to travel to a place near Winterhold, so it depends on the weather."

The jarl appeared intrigued but asked nothing else. I thanked him for his assistance, waving away my platitudes and simply stating that it would eventually be me, and me alone, who would save everyone. As I wandered out of Dragonsreach, I remembered the conversation I had shared with Serana, of my worries and concerns about what may happen. Since getting all of that off my chest, I'd felt better about things. I now had a plan and a goal. I knew what I had to do. And, for some reason, I knew I'd survive this. Yet, despite all that, there was one thing in the back of my mind that I tried not to think about since I'd left her at the castle.

I missed her.

*****

"Here we go again," Farkas stated.

"You're not worried, are you?" Vilkas asked.

His brother scoffed. "Hardly. We've done this twice before. We'll handle the beast within Ragnar now."

"What about you, Aela? Are you still happy to remain as you are?"

"You know I am, Vilkas," she replied, her tone friendly at least.

"Just thought I should ask. The rest of us have made the choice."

"Skjor waits for me and I wish to join him. Ragnar understands. Don't you?"

I'd hoped to be kept out of the conversation. "I do. He has your heart, as you have his. I certainly wouldn't force you to change if you didn't want to."

"Not that I was suggesting it at all," Vilkas quickly added.

"And we understand your connection to Skjor, despite… what may have been happening recently," Farkas added, a grin on his face that Aela ignored and I had to stop laughing at.

"Alright, alright. How about we just get this over and done with, eh?"

"Aye, Harbinger," the twins stated in unison.

Farkas placed Wuuthrad in the hands of the statue again, the two stone doors sliding away to reveal the back entrance to the tomb. We immediately headed right, descending the simple wooden staircase to be greeted by the Tomb of Ysgramor himself once again.

"Still can't believe Kodlak was waiting for you the first time," Farkas stated quietly.

"Aye." I paused. "You miss him?"

"Don't you?"

I nodded. "Every day."

"He's in Sovngarde right now, waiting for us, regaling them all with stories of the Companions. Stories of courage, valour and honour. Even Ysgramor himself would nod at the stories and state 'Aye, they are worthy!'" Vilkas stated.

"Do you think they see what's happening here right now?" Farkas wondered.

The twins looked in my direction. I could only shrug. "I have no idea. I don't know if they watch, but I think they still know. How else would we ascend?"

"Do you want to take a moment to yourselves? There's a chance we won't return here once we've done this."

"Thank you, Harbinger. I guess we can take a few minutes."

I sat down as the twins wandered around the room, Aela taking a seat next to me. "You don't mind?" she asked quietly.

I couldn't help the chuckle. "It's your choice. And, as I've said before, I understand why. Don't make the choice for anyone else except yourself."

"I'm just worried about… tainting the Circle."

I shook my head. "Never. Despite having the blood, you are still you."

"You're a good man, Ragnar of Whiterun," she said after a few moments of silence.

"What makes you say that?"

"Just in case you're not told often enough. So many lives have changed since you crossed the border into Skyrim. And, I will say, so many lives for the better. Some, of course for... well… We lost Kodlak, but you saved him at the same time, sending his soul to where he dreamed. And now we have you as Harbinger to guide us going forward. You are Dragonborn, feted to save all of us from destruction. Your courage and bravery is not up for debate. Your skill with weapon in hand cannot be refuted. Yet you have remained humble and just… you. Some may have used this power for nefarious means. All you want to do is help people."

I could only shrug. "I'm just me. Just Ragnar. Anything else after that, whether the title of Harbinger, Dragonborn or Thane, is only a title I've been awarded or that I have learned. Why the gods chose to bestow the dragon blood on me is something I'll never know. And something I ponder each day. But why me? Why was I chosen? What did I do to be given such a gift of immense power? I guess they have their reasons. But the world is full of good men and women. I can only hope I prove worthy of such a gift in the end."

"You will. You've already done more than enough. Save us all and Skyrim will be yours."

"What do you mean?"

"You're a Nord at heart. Who would the people follow, you or Jarl Ulfric?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You think they'd follow me because I'm Dragonborn?"

"Think about it. Tiber Septim was of the blood. Nords still revere him. That's one reason why we're fighting each other right now. I believe the people will follow a new Dragonborn."

"I don't know…"

Her eyes met mine and she smiled. "Don't worry, Ragnar. We're just talking. I certainly have no plans for you!" she ended with a chuckle.

I got to my feet, offering my hand. "Come on, we should get this over and done with."

I took the now withered Glenmoril Witch head from my pack. Thankfully we had found a way to keep it at least somewhat preserved, but it was still disgusting, no matter which way you look at it. The twins and Aela drew their weapons, knowing I would be incapacitated once the beast within me departed. I held the head over the flame and waited for their say so.

"We're ready," Farkas stated.

I dropped the head.

Nothing happened for a couple of seconds. Then I swear I felt my blood start to flow around my body, followed by an enormous pain in my chest. I know I screamed as my blood seemed to increase in flow across my body, all heading to my heart, feeling it beat furiously. I felt stuck in place as I closed my eyes, the pain being horrendous. I then heard the growl of a wolf and knew the beast had somehow formed. I'd seen hit happen three times before but to experience it myself… was something else.

Then, in an instant, I felt pure. Clean. Me again.

I staggered back, taking deep breaths, barely hearing the battle taking place only a few steps away, hearing my three fellow Companions as they destroyed the wolf spirit. It didn't take them long, hearing their cries of victory though I was still finding concentrating difficult. Despite feeling better, my head felt awful. I figured it would pass quickly, simply closing my eyes and breathing deeply.

"Are you okay, Ragnar?"

I smiled, eyes still closed. "I feel good."

"Are you sure?"

I opened my eyes, greeted by three faces of concern. "Aye. I feel clean. Pure once again, like I've been reborn. Though my sight is what it once was. Guess my hearing is back to normal too. Though you two still smell." The twins laughed while Aela still appeared concerned. "Trust me, I'm fine. It was just a harsher experience than I expected."

A slight grin appeared. "Another reason not to do it then, Ragnar."

I knew it was a joke so I could only laugh. "Are you ready to leave?"

"On your word, Harbinger."

We headed back to Winterhold and the inn where hot food and warm beds were waiting. After spending the night in the warmth of the inn, we mounted horses in the cold and snow of the morning and began the slow journey back to Whiterun. There was much conversation and laughter, enjoying the company of each other. I think the other three were now more than aware of what lay on the horizon for myself and were probably trying to keep me at ease.

The sky was dark and braziers had been lit by the time we arrived back in Whiterun. I asked one of the guards to send word to the Jarl that I had returned and would be ready to begin the next day. I thanked my fellow Companions for the last time before they headed back to Jorrvaskr, the trio wishing me good luck in return for what was to happen next.

Lydia was waiting for me when I finally opened the door into Breezehome, immediately handing me a bowl of food. "I figured you probably haven't eaten since leaving Winterhold."

"You're right. Thanks." I sat down and started shovelling food into my mouth, because she was right. I was absolutely starving. While shovelling, I sensed her eyes still looking at me, no doubt wondering what happened. I figured I'd put her mind at ease. "I'm me again. Clean and pure."

A large smile spread across her face. "It worked?"

"It did. The beast within has been slain."

"So what's next?"

"Tomorrow… We capture a dragon."