~<>~

When I woke there was a bowl of water and a half a loaf of bread waiting for me on my nightstand. I sat up and scrubbed a hand over my face. It was always difficult to tell the time of day down in the cistern, but I could hear enough people moving around to know it was time I was up.

It was nice to be home. I was assuming I had Bryn to thank for my breakfast. I splashed the water on my face and chewed on the bread as I pulled on my armor.

I stepped out from behind my privacy screen and spotted Brynjolf sitting at my desk. Although if I was honest, he spent a considerable more time at the desk managing the guild than I had of late. I chewed on the bread as I crossed the cistern. Several members of the guild nodded respectfully to me, while others waved and smiled, pleased to see me.

If I was honest the guild was one of the few places I had ever felt like I was welcome, like I was home. I certainly had never had one growing up. I dropped down into the seat across from my desk and put my feet up, crossing my ankles.

"You feeling well rested, Lass?" Brynjolf teased.

I arched a brow questioningly. "Did I sleep a long time?" I asked.

Brynjolf snorted. "You could say that. Almost slept the day around. It's almost dusk."

I sat up with a start. I never slept that long. I couldn't even remember waking from the nightmares that normally troubled my sleep. "I didn't-" I started to say and shook my head.

"Been spending too much time surrounded by enemies," Brynjolf pointed out grimly. "Not enough time around people you trust."

I nodded in agreement. He was right of course. While I wouldn't have said I was uncomfortable in Windhelm, I had also been injured more often than not. And the time on the road since hadn't lent itself to many hours of restful sleep when I didn't have someone to share the watch.

I scrubbed a hand over my face, but made it clear I didn't want to continue with this conversation. "Are you ready to do this Bryn?" I asked.

"Oh Lass," he said, flashing me a devastating smile. "I was born ready."

Byrnjolf and I had been friends for longer than either of us cared to remember, and there were times in the past, when I had considered pursuing something more with him. We had danced around each other and flirted for years. Byrnjolf had a way of using his good looks and charm to his advantage and when he smiled he could make a girl think she was the center of his world. While usually his charming smile could make my stomach flip flop, for some reason I was unmoved by it this time.

Instead, I caught my mind wandering to a certain blonde Jarl. I jerked, unwilling to allow myself to think of Ulfric like that. My gaze landed back on Brynjolf who was watching me with shrewd eyes. I had never pursued anything with Brynjolf. One, because I valued him too much as a friend and Two, because there was a part of me that always knew he would be nothing but trouble. Ulfric however, was a whole lot more trouble than Brynjolf could ever dream of being.

I stood, stretching my muscles. "Lead the way," I prompted, stamping down any thoughts that weren't related to the mission. I was the Dragonborn first, I always would be.

"He's down in the Ratway Warrens," Brynjolf told me. "Been paying us a pretty penny for protection and our silence."

"That was foolish of him," I said with a frown.

Brynjolf shrugged. "Perhaps. Although I wouldn't have given up his location for anyone but you, Lass" he said honestly. "He's been a client for a long time. Easy money to keep my mouth shut and make sure some food gets delivered."

Brynjolf led the way in through the Ratway Vaults. I wrinkled my nose as the stench of decay and mold burned my nostrils. Despite all my time in the cistern I hadn't spent much time down in the Vaults. There was really no reason to and the Vaults were often filled with people either in hiding or who were dangerously unstable. No one else would endure the stench for less.

"What was that?" a voice called as the door creaked shut behind us.

I turned to Brynjolf and lifted a questioning brow.

"Don't look at me lass, they aren't friends of mine," he said grimly and he drew his sword.

We turned the corner and a Thalmor Wizard was standing before us. I tightened my jaw and drew my swords. It seemed no matter what I did I couldn't escape the Thalmor. At this point however there was no saving it. I was going to be public enemy number one regardless. I didn't hesitate. I rushed him.

Behind me I heard Brynjolf make a noise of frustration in the back of his throat. I wasn't going to apologize. He was the one who insisted on joining me. I felt one of the Wizard's spells brush against my enchantments, but it barely knocked me back a step.

Brynjolf wasn't one to wait around. He dropped down to the next floor below us and attacked and killed a Thalmor soldier. I hated the idea of him getting mixed up in all of this with the Thalmor, but there was no way to protect him now. I swung my legs over the ledge and dropped down, landing in a crouch. A second soldier rushed towards Brynjolf's back. I drew my dragger and flipped it at the soldier. She whirled, dodging just in time.

I drew unrelenting force to the front of my mind and shouted.

"FUS RO DAH"

The soldier stumbled back a step but didn't go down. Her eyes glittered with menace as she recovered. "Dragonborn," she snarled. "You will pay for what you've done."

I bared my teeth and swung my sword in a circle through the air. "Come get me," I taunted.

She let out an angry exclamation and charged me. I did three power attacks in a row, using my strength to push her off her balance. She stumbled over the slick stones and I slid my sword between the slats in her golden armor. I kicked her body free of my sword and turned back to Brynjolf who was bent at the waist, fighting to catch his breath.

"Things seem to be heating up," he said, stepping up beside me. "What could the wizards possibly want with that crazy old man? And since when are you mixed up in the business of the Thalmor?" he pressed.

I felt guilt swirl through me. I was asking a lot of my friend to trust me without question. Instead of seeming upset about it however, Brynjolf was staring at me with concern. That made it even harder. "It won't come back on the guild," I promised. "I just need you to trust me."

Brynjolf caught my arm. "I'm not worried about the Guild Freyja," he said.

I pulled my arm out of his. "We should keep moving," I told him.

Brynjolf stared into my eyes for what felt like a long time before he nodded. I felt another pang of guilt, but quickly pushed it away. I couldn't let him get any more involved than he already was. If I was wrapped up in Dragonborn business, Brynjolf needed to be able to take care of the Guild in my absence. Mjoll getting hurt had shaken me, but I would never forgive myself if I got Brynjolf killed.

"Come on then lass, this way." He led me to an open square in the floor. It was dark below and I wrinkled my nose. I didn't much like the idea of landing in a dark hole in the ratways.

"Come on," he called and he dropped down without hesitating. I followed, albeit more slowly. He moved through the darkness with sure feet and hesitated before opening a door. "Welcome to the Warrens," he said.

The stench was somehow even worse down here. At this point I had lost count of how many stories beneath the city we were. It was a little concerning to think of the canal above us. He led the way up another flight of steps and I could hear muttering around us. I was tempted to use one of my shouts to figure out how many living things were surrounding us, but I probably didn't want to know.

"Here we are lass," Brynjolf said, gesturing towards a thick metal door. "Good luck with him. I'll watch our backs. Where there's one Thalmor there's bound to be more."

I agreed with him. Time was of the essence. I slid open the hole in the door.

"Go away," an old voice called.

"Esbern," I called. "Open the door, I'm a friend."

"What? No, that's-that's not me, I'm not Esbern. I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.

"It's okay," I said as soothingly as I could manage. I glanced over my shoulder, but Brynjolf was still watching our backs. "Delphine sent me. She said to ask you 'Where were you on the 30th of frost fall?'"

"Delphine?" he asked in shock. "You finally found her, and she led you to me. And here I am, cornered like a rat in a trap."

"Delphine and I need your help to stop the dragons," I said.

There was a long pause as the old man considered my words. "So Delphine keeps up the fight after all these years...you'd better come in and tell me how you've found me and what you want," the small window door closed. "This will just take a moment," the old man called through the door. "This one always first," I heard him mutter and the first lock tumbled. I heard another five locks click before the door opened.

"Come in, come in, make yourself at home. That's better," he said, stepping back so I could enter.

Once I was inside he turned to face me, and crossed his arms over his chest as he regarded me. "So, Delphine keeps up the fight after all these years. I would have thought she would have realized it's hopeless by now. I tried to tell her years ago.." he dragged off.

"What do you mean it's hopeless?" I asked with a frown.

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" he challenged. "What more needs to happen before you all wake up and see what's going on? Alduin has returned just like the prophecy said. The dragon from the dawn of time, who devours the souls of the dead. No one can escape his hunger, here or in the afterlife. Alduin will devour all things and the world will end. Nothing can stop it. I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen. Fools. It's all come true. All I could do was watch our doom approach."

"Alduin...the dragon who's raising the others?" I asked with a frown.

"Yes, you see you know but you refuse to understand."

"You're talking about the literal end of the world?" I asked him.

"Oh yes," Esbern agreed. "It's all been foretold. The end has begun. Alduin has returned. Only a dragonborn can stop him. But no Dragonborn has been known for centuries. It seems that the gods have grown tired of us. They've left us to our fate as a plaything of Alduin the Worldeater."

I blinked at the old man. "It's not hopeless Esbern," I assured him. "I'm Dragonborn."

"What?" he asked. He looked me up in down in disbelief.  "You? Can it really be true? Dragonborn? Then...then there is hope. The gods have not abandoned us, we must...we must go...quickly now, take me to Delphine, we have much to discuss," he turned and immediately began gathering his things. "All right," Esbern said after a few moments. "Let's be off."

I led the way out the door. Brynjolf's eyes widened when he saw Esbern behind me. "Esbern," he greeted with a cordial nod, then he turned to me. "Best be off lass, it sounds like we have company."

He was right, I could hear the clank of armor and weapons echoing through the tunnels. Brynjolf led the way out into the corridor. Another two squads of Thalmor agents tried to stop us. Brynjolf and I dispatched them easily enough. I didn't often experience a sense of satisfaction from killing. Most of the time it was just a necessity. But after reading what the Thalmor did to Ulfric, I almost relished shoving my blade into the high elf's stomach.

We came out of the vaults back into the Ragged Flagon. Esbern flinched as though the dim lights were too bright for him. I turned to Brynjolf. "Thank you," I told him. "I appreciate the help," and I turned to go. It was late and if we hurried I could get Esbern to Riverwood before dawn.

Brynjolf gripped my bicep, stopping me in my tracks. "You aren't giving me the brush off that easily lass. You've got yourself in some hot water."

"I don't want this to blow back on the guild," I told him sincerely. "I appreciate your help Bryn," I said.

"I'm not worried about the guild," Brynjolf said, his dark eyes serious. "I'm worried about you."

"I'm pretty tough," I reminded him, flashing him a confident grin I didn't feel. "If I get in over my head I'll send word."

"If you're in over your head, it'll be too late," Brynjolf said.

I didn't argue with him. He wasn't wrong and he could see the resignation in my eyes. "I'm good at surviving." I told him but he didn't look reassured by my words. "There's a sell sword at the Bee and Barb," I told him and I turned to the nearest table. I scrawled a fast note and handed it to Brynjolf. "Bring this to him. He needs to bring it to the Court Wizard in Windhelm."

Brynjolf's eyebrows shot up. "The court wizard? Windhelm of all places?" He asked rocking back on his heels. "What are you mixed up in Freyja?"

"Just do that for me," I said. "I'll be home soon," I assured him. I pushed myself up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Promise."

Brynjolf sighed, knowing I wouldn't change my mind. "Take care of yourself Lass," Brynjolf called after me.

I waved him off and turned to Esbern. "Come on, let's get moving."

~<>~

The trip to Riverwood was thankfully uneventful. I had considered hiring a wagon, but keeping Esbern safe meant involving as few people as possible. We moved through the night. I pushed him as fast as I could. But the old man hadn't been out in the world in a long time and it took until the early hours of the morning for us to arrive in Riverwood. I led him straight to Delphine's Inn.

I really wanted to catch a good night's sleep, but I didn't get the impression I was going to be that lucky.

"Come on," Delphine said, looking over us both emotionlessly. "I have somewhere we can talk." She led the way into her basement room. "Now then, I assume you know about..." Delphine began.

"Oh yes, Dragonborn, indeed," Esbern said. "This changes everything, of course. There's no time to lose. We must locate...let me show you. I know I had it here...somewhere..." he dragged off digging through his satchel.

"Esbern," Delphine began. "What...?" I was glad she asked, because I wasn't following the old man's half finished thoughts either.

"Give me just a moment," Esbern said. "Ah, here it is, come let me show you," he said, unrolling a map. "You see, right here," he said, pointing to a place on the map out west. "Sky Haven Temple. Constructed around one of the main Akaviri military camps in the Reach, during their conquest of Skyrim. Alduin's Wall, one of the lost secrets of the Blades. Where they recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return. Part history, part prophecy. It's location has been lost for centuries, but I've found it again. Not lost you see...just forgotten. The Blades archives held so many secrets...I was only able to save a few scraps."

"So you think Alduin's Wall will tell us how to defeat Alduin?" I asked with a frown. It felt far fetched to me, but maybe it was because I was tired.

"Yes, exactly," Esbern confirmed excitedly. "Well, I think so...it's certainly our best hope. The ancient Blades remember much Akaviri dragon lore that has now been forgotten."

"Where can we find Alduin's wall?" I asked suppressing a groan. He had already mentioned the Reach. Esbern had been in hiding for a long time, it was unlikely he understood how dangerous the region could be.

"This is what I've been trying to explain. It's in Sky Haven Temple, an ancient Blades sanctuary, hidden deep in the crags of the Reach. That's where we'll find Alduin's Wall."

"We'll leave at once," Delphine agreed, her eyes glinting with determination.

I had had about enough of traveling back and forth across Skyrim. Normally I enjoyed the traveling. I enjoyed the sights and interacting with my fellow Nords. But if I was totally honest, I was about done with the Blades mission and constantly moving back and forth into the Reach. It was one of my least favorite parts of Skyrim.

The Foresworn made it difficult to navigate the rocky hills and the ground seemed to go up and down eternally allowing me to gain next to no ground despite putting in so much work. So when Delphine and Esbern looked at me after telling me we would need to return to the Reach immediately I barely managed to contain my weary sigh.

I wasn't wrong about it either. We faced our fair share of Foresworn on our journey. It turned out the hidden Temple that was once the headquarters of the Blades was smack in the middle of not one, but two Forsworn camps. It took the combined effort of all three of us to get through there alive. I hated the idea of dying in those gods forsaken rocky hills and liked even less the thought of Delphine or Esbern giving up their lives when they had worked so diligently for so long to see this problem through to the end.

It turned out, they needed me more than they thought. The lock on the temple could only be opened by the blood of the Dragonborn. It made me wonder what would have happened if I had actually died during my execution like I was supposed to. Had Ralof, Ulfric and I not worked together to escape Alduin there would be no hope for Tamriel in the face of Alduin. It was a huge burden, one I wasn't fully ready to face. It felt too big for someone like me.

The ancient temple was musky and carved seemingly right into the mountain side. It was huge and haunting in its emptiness. I moved from room to room, holding a torch above my head while I worked out what could have happened to such a large order. Of course, I already knew the answer to that. Delphine had been hiding from the Thalmor longer than I had been alive.

While I investigated the empty rooms, Esbern got to work on translating Alduin's wall. The huge stone mural was carved in relief on a massive wall that spanned almost one hundred feet across the large main entrance hall. It was beautiful, if a bit gruesome.

"Here we are," Esbern said, "The Nord Tongues, masters of the voice, using a shout against Alduin, knocking him from the sky."

I frowned. "A shout?"

"Yes, yes, this here coming from the the Nord Tongues mouth is the symbol for shout," Esbern said dragging his withered hands over the smooth stone. "But, sadly there is no way to know what shout is meant."

"You mean they used a shout to defeat Alduin?" Delphine asked in disbelief. "You're sure?"

"Hmm?" Esbern asked and it took real effort for him to tear his eyes off of the wall. "Oh yes, something presumably rather specific to dragons or Alduin himself. Remember this is where they recorded all they knew of Alduin and his return."

"So we're looking for a shout then..." Delphine said thoughtfully. She turned to me. "Have you ever heard of such a thing? A shout that could knock a dragon from the sky?"

I shook my head. "No, I've never heard of anything like that."

"I was afraid you would say that," Delphine grumbled. "I guess there's nothing for it. We'll have to ask the Greybeards for help. I hoped to avoid involving them in this, but we have no other choice," she said bitterly.

I scowled at Delphine. "What do you have against the greybeards?" I asked.

Delphine made a noise of disgust in the back of her throat. "If they had their way you'd do nothing but sit up on their mountain with them and talk to the sky or whatever it is they do. The Greybeards are so afraid of power they won't use it. Think about it, have they tried to stop the civil war? Or done anything about Alduin? No, they're afraid of you and your power."

I bit the inside of my lip, but refused to let Delphine see how her words effected me. I didn't need to be reminded that I was different. Or how those differences affected the way the people in my life looked at me.

"Trust me, there's no need to be afraid. Think of Tiber Septim. Do you think he'd have founded the Empire if he had listened to the Greybeards?" she challenged.

I didn't like the comparison. I was no Talos and I certainly had no desire to rule over an empire. I was just Freyja. I looked down at my hands. Hands that had committed so many crimes and killed so many. "Maybe the Greybeards are right," I said. "Power can be dangerous."

Delphine made a noise of impatience in the back of her throat. "Only if you don't know how to use it. All great heroes have had to learn to use their power. Those that shrank from their destiny...well, you've never heard of them, have you?"

I hated that Delphine thought she could manipulate me into doing what she wanted by throwing the word hero around and comparing me to some of the greatest in Skyrim's legends. I wasn't like that. I had no desire to be remembered. I was just Freyja. It all felt too big.

Not willing to let Delphine see how shaken I was, I turned towards the door. "I better go see what Arngeir knows about this shout."

"Right, good thing they have already welcomed you into their little cult. Not likely they'd help Esbern or I if we came calling. We'll look around the temple and see what else the old Blades may have left us. It's a better hide out than I could have hoped for."

"So..." Esbern dragged off, studying the wall.

"Back across Skyrim," I said with a sigh. I turned to go.

"Perhaps it would do you good to take some rest, eh?" The kindly old man suggested. "Eat a warm meal and sleep a spell."

"I'm sure the Dragonborn has plenty to get done," Delphine interrupted impatiently.

I scowled at her, but wasn't about to admit weakness to her. As much as I would certainly sleep better in a room of this very private temple, I would rather sleep out on the road, keeping one eye open than admit to her I needed a break. There was something about Delphine that had always rubbed me the wrong way. She had never out right done anything, but I hated that she acted as though it were my job to constantly prove myself to her.

"I'll leave now," I assured Esbern and I turned for the door.

He made a noise in the back of his throat and when I looked back he had already returned to studying the wall. I got the impression he would likely be in the exact same spot when I returned from my visit to the Throat of the World.

I hated the idea of going back through the camps filled with death, but the only other option was to go out the back doors which opened on a mountain top pavilion. It was beautiful, but I didn't fancy sliding down the mountain on my backside in the dark. I wrinkled my nose in distaste as I walked past the bodies of the fallen Forsworn. I had already done my fair share of sifting through pockets and checking their chests to make sure there was nothing that I needed.

When I reached the road I hesitated. If I turned right, it would take me Northeast, past Dawnstar and eventually to Windhelm...if I turned left I would head South where I would be able to swing past Falkreath. It would certainly be warmer, and I wasn't exactly sure which way was faster.

Despite my complete distaste for the snow and the cold I found myself heading Northeast. It could be a little longer traveling if I ran into weather, but I was much less likely to encounter any more Forsworn. It was the better option because of safety. At least that's what I was telling myself.

~<>~