Age of Rebirth part 1

As always, Skyrim punished its children with another freezing night. Soon the winter would come and even The Reach would be covered with snow. But that didn't worry Delphine. As remote as the Sky Haven Temple was, the surrounding mountains provided strong protection from the icy winds and snowstorms. It was the food stocks that they would have to be careful with.

She had seen some rabbits strolling around the courtyard few days ago, but other than that, it seemed that the animals had started to depart for more secure lands. After the snow had fallen it'd be difficult to find quarry, let alone chase it. The supplies they had stored inside the temple would last couple of months, the winter at least four. They'd have to start stocking up pretty soon. Hopefully their gold would be enough; Markath had started to become an expensive city lately. No doubt the Silver-Bloods should be thanked for that.

But as harsh as the night was, Delphine only had to look up to see the more gentle side of Skyrim. The sky was completely clear and the stars shined down brightly, an absolutely stunning sight. A wolf howled somewhere behind the mountains. Overall, Delphine couldn't complain about her situation. She had a full pint of mead and a fire to keep her warm. It wasn't the worst way she had spent an evening, sitting there at the courtyard of the ancient temple. Too bad Esbern hadn't joined her. Too much studying he had said. The man had become old, as had she.

But no, it wasn't her own situation that bothered Delphine. It was the land she was standing on that worried her. Even now when Alduin was gone, Skyrim was still suffering. So many people had died during the civil war, and now Ulfric used his troops to smoke out the remaining Imperials, tearing down entire villages as he did. The cities that had been run by Imperial troops were now filled with Stormcloaks trying to gain control over them. And that was only the most blatant of the problems, many other disaster were just waiting to burst to the surface. So much had happened since the Dragonborn's arrival, and his sudden disappearance.

Indeed, in seven months Delphine hadn't heard a single word about the Dragonborn. Last time they met was when she had demanded him to kill Paarthunax. A bold demand, but before the old dragon was dead, there could be nothing more going on between them. They were the Blades after all; they could not make deals with anyone whose loyalty might lie with a dragon.  Still, for months the land had buzzed with words about the Dragonborn, and then they had just suddenly silenced. As if he had completely disappeared. Had some challenge been finally too much, that Delphine couldn't know. But she kept hoping that he would come back. No matter his alliance, she just couldn't accept the fact that after searching for the Dovahkiin for all these years he would just simply vanish into thin air.

She rose up to throw another log into the fire. Just then she heard something touching the ground behind her. Before she could grab her sword, a hand appeared from the darkness and covered her mouth. She couldn't see the attacker, but felt the coldness of steel on her throat.

"Don't move, don't yell, or else I'll cut your throat."

Delphine's eyes flew right open. For the first time in decades she had been caught completely by surprise. That wasn't some assassin talking. It was the Dragonborn.

"I'm going to remove my hand now, don't yell."

The hand fell lower to Delphine's chin. She could tall again.
"What're you…"
"No, you listen to me now. Paarthunax is gone; he and the other dragons left Skyrim with him a long time ago."

The thought seemed terrifying to Delphine. The right hand of Alduin flying free somewhere out there, along with a group of followers. As a Blade such a thing felt unforgivable to her. Should they ever turn against humans again…
"And you just let them?" Delphine spit out.
"I didn't come here to bicker about that, I just wanted for you to know the facts", Dragonborn replied. He sounded tense, irritated, "I got other things in mind."
"Like what?"

The warrior stayed silent for a while. Then he continued: "I'm going to rule over this land."
"What?!"
"Don't yell!"

The blade pushed tighter into Delphine's skin.
"I don't want Esbern to interrupt our chat", Dragonborn whispered.
"What does this has to do with me then?" Delphine asked. She could try reaching her sword, but it might not be worth the risk. She had seen Dovahkiin in battle; at this distance she might be dead before reaching the handle.

"I can't do this alone. I need people like you on my side. I'm not a politician, I need people who know how to rule, how to command. There are others I could ask, but I need someone with no ties, someone who could help me to lead Skyrim to war. You're the best choice for that."

It was hard for Delphine to take all that. Was he serious? To take over Skyrim, go to war… That sounded too extreme, even for him. But he wasn't stupid, Delphine knew that. There was a reason for this and Delphine could only think of one thing…

"You're talking about the Dominion, aren't you?" Delphine asked.
"…Yes. Their scouts have been lurking around be borders for the past months. Something big is about to happen, I know it."
"And how much time do we have?"
"Not much. We need to act fast."
"And what if I refuse?"
"Isn't it obvious? If you're not with me, I can't risk you turning against me."

Delphine still didn't answer. It wasn't the situation that made her doubtful, she herself was known for not taking any risks. Was she the Dragonborn, she would probably do the same thing, but to lead an army, a kingdom… This could get a lot worse before it'd get any better. The Dragonborn was a fierce fighter, but a ruler… Who knows, it could mean either glory or chaos for Skyrim.

"Don't you want to restore The Blades to their former glory? When this is all over you will be free, no need for hiding anymore."

The wolf howled again.

"And you're really doing this… for Skyrim?"
"…Yes."

Could it really work? It was crazy for sure, but if the Dominion was coming… It made sense. That'd be the biggest threat that Skyrim had ever faced. And Dragonborn had already saved them once. Should she trust him? Just this time, once in her life, give someone the benefit of the doubt? Did she even have any choice?

"Fine, the Blades are under your command. But if you ever turn against us I'll slice your stomach open", Delphine said. And she meant it, there was no doubt about that. Even with a blade on her throat she still managed to make threats.

The hand let go. Delphine took a breath and turned to face the warrior.
"Here, this is yours", Dragonborn said offering Delphine her sword.
"Well I'll be damned", she thought.

"Go get Esbern", Dovahkiin said and walked to the darkness, "We have a lot of things to do. With luck we can reach Windhelm before the sunrise."
Delphine sheathed her sword, "Why are we going to Windhelm?"
"Didn't you already guess? Me and Ulfric have some things talk about…"


----


"A long time ago in the temple of Sky Haven
Lived a fierce maiden, Delphine of the Blades
Long time she had lived in fear, trusting only shadows
Now she sat in the dark surrounded by frozen meadows
How could she have expected a blade on her throat
Held by the one we trusted the most
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, Dragonborn

In the darkness, as enemies, they hatched a plan
To unite every woman, child and man
So weapons were sheathed, it was time to ride
To return Skyrim to her prime
The Blades and Dovahkiin, together they rode
It was time for Ulfric to meet his last foe
Dragonborn, Dragonborn, Dragonborn"

Songs of Skyrim: The Age of Rebirth, verses 1-2