This was a story requested by Little-Sister-Luna, and I can safely say it was a challenge. I did enjoy writing it, though, and I hope you enjoy reading it!

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14th of Sun's Height, 4E 209

I crossed my sweaty arms over my chest, pouting at the straw dummy that refused to fall over. What was I doing wrong? I couldn't understand. I had watched Mama do it countless times, and it always worked. Why wouldn't it work for me?

"Rus, do FAH!" I Shouted, and nothing happened to the dummy.

I huffed and threw down my wooden sword. I glared at it, as if it were the reason I couldn't Shout. It still wouldn't work. Stupid dummy and stupid Words.

A soft chuckle made me stop seething at my sword. "What are you up to now, little pup?"

I stiffened, back snapping straight, as Mama approached me. She wore a light blue dress, one without sleeves, and a small belt wrapped around her waist. She had her dagger sheathed on it, and a pouch that she kept her coins in for trips to the market. She had her long and dark hair pulled off her neck in a thick braid down her shoulder. It was strange seeing her without her sword on her waist or her hair up.

She knelt down, picked up my sword, and held it to me. I knew by the light in her eyes that she had been watching me try to knock the dummy over with a Shout.

"First of all, it's Fus," she said as she handed my sword back to me, "then Ro, then Dah." Then she tucked my sweaty hair away from my face. It was a hot day today, which was strange for Whiterun. "Why are you trying to Shout?"

"I want to be like you, Mama." I looked at my bare feet. "I want to Shout, to be a Dragonborn, to save the world."

"Oh, little pup, you don't want that." She put her hands on my shoulders. "Saving the world is so hard, and it's no fun."

I looked up. "Why not?"

She pursed her lips, her face becoming thoughtful. "Well, it's a lot of work. You can't have any fun."

"No fun at all?"

She shook her head. "None at all."

"Then why did you save the world?"

"Because it needed to be saved. I was the one who had to save it."

"Then what am I supposed to do? I don't want to be a milk-drinker, like Lars Battle-Born."

Her eyes became serious for a moment. "Don't say 'milk-drinker,' Jergen. That's not nice."

"Sorry, Mama."

She sighed. "Jergen, you're still little. You're only five years old. You still have a lot of growing up to do before you can leave Whiterun and have your own adventures. You don't have to save the world to be a good person."

I looked down at the cobbles again. "But no one thinks I can do anything around here. They all say I'm too little. If I could learn to Shout like you, Mama, they'd stop saying that."

"Don't try to grow up so fast." She cupped her hand to my cheek. "There's plenty of time for adventures in the future." She stood up and placed her hand under my chin. "Why don't you come to the porch and cool down? You need to rest." She looked to the bright blue and cloudless sky, eyes narrowed. "It's too hot for anyone to be outside right now."

"Yes, Mama." I stuck my sword into my belt and followed her to the porch.

"Chin up, little pup. It won't always be this way." She chuckled a little as we sat in the shade under the porch. She handed me a small cup of water. "Try to be patient. When the gods think you're ready, they'll give you the strength you need."

"Do you think I could save the world one day?"

She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I don't know, but I do know that, whatever you end up doing with your life," She turned and tweaked my nose, "your father and I will always be proud of you."

I laughed a little and gulped down the rest of my water. "I love you, Mama."

She scooped me into her arms, letting me sit on her lap while she tousled my hair. "And I love you, my little Jergen." She patted my head. "Even if you're not so little anymore."

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I do so hope you enjoyed reading this story! I think it turned out to be very cute! If you have any ideas for more short stories like this, or maybe ones that aren't so cute like sad, heart-breaking ones (although I hope you don't have any like that), don't be afraid to request them! The request forum is always open!

That's all for now! Hope you enjoyed! Love and sweetrolls!
~ WG 💙