CHAPTER SEVENTY TWO: INTO THE BLUE BEYOND
Preparations for trapping the dragon at Dragonsreach were under way. Wyldfyre overlooked the mending of the ancient trap, which had seen better years. It took a team of smiths a week to mend some of the old chain links that lifted the heavy bow yoke that was to effectively pin the dragon to the ground. In the mean time, Wyldfyre had journeyed to Riverwood to visit with Ralof and Annekke who both greeted her with astonishment and then happiness. Wyldfyre was surprised herself to learn that Annekke was with child, due in four months time. Ralof was smitten with his new bride and attended to her every need. He was to report back to Windhelm in a few days while Annekke would remain behind with Gerdur and Hod. Ralof did not want Annekke and the babe anywhere near the fighting. He was eager to return with Windhelm with the news that the Dragonborn was alive and well.
Wyldfyre also returned to the Lake House with Farkas. He was quiet as they walked up the path to the grand house. Wyldfyre assumed he was trying not to remember that terrible day, as was she. She squeezed his hand for reassurance and he kissed her before they entered the house to be greeted with delicious smells wafting out from the kitchen.
“I think you should go in and tell him” Wyldfyre fretted “I don’t want to startle him”. Farkas chuckled and entered the kitchen while Wyldfyre waited nervously. She was unsure of the reception she would receive from Wilhelm. But she needn’t have worried as Wilhelm burst out of the kitchen with a wide grin on his face. He strode over to her and embraced her tightly.
“But the nines, girl!” he said roughly, holding back tears. Wyldfyre returned the embrace and soon she was telling Wilhelm about where she had been all this time.
Wyldfyre smiled as she remembered his exclamations during her story. She was standing on the great balcony of Dragonsreach after receiving word from the Jarl that the trap was almost ready. Jarl Vignar stood next to her as they watched the workers attempting to raise the yoke as thick as tree trunks into the air by a set of massive pullies and gears on either side of the balcony.
“I still don’t know how you talked me into this” he remarked to her. Wyldfyre smiled at him. She questioned it herself, after the night they spent arguing back and forth when she had first made her request. The entire great hall had gone quiet and the Jarl was so startled that he made her repeat herself. He then ushered everyone important up to his privet audience chamber to discuss the matter without any inquisitive ears lurking about. It was a hard sell, and words got heated. But convince him she did and now preparations were almost complete.
“Still, it looks to be almost ready for you Dragonborn” he looked at her anxiously. Wyldfyre nodded. She knew he was taking a gamble with her. She fully appreciated the pressure he was under for this plan to work. Wyldfyre had walked into Dragonsreach after being gone for a year and had all but demanded that this was what she wanted, and it needed to be done now. Luckily for Wyldfyre the Jarl did not throw her in jail immediately for her insolence. If she had not of been the Dragonborn and a member of the Circle, he probably would have.
“Do not worry my Jarl” she reassured him “It will work, the dragon will come”
“That’s what I’m afraid of” he said sternly.
“I know” she placed a hand on his arm “We have gone over the plan many times, and the citizens will be safe under Dragonsreach and in the Hall of the Dead. If anything goes wrong, I will take out the Dragon as quickly as I can, I promise you that”
“All right” he nodded “We will be ready whenever you are”
“Thank you” she smiled “I have something to take care of for a day or so, and then we can begin”. The Jarl nodded and walked off to inspect the trap. Wyldfyre cast one last look at it and then made her way back to Jorrvaskr. Kodlak had organised a gathering of sorts to celebrate her return and, though she didn’t really want to attend, her mind not in the mood to socialise, it was Kodlak. And Kodlak got what Kodlak wanted. It was just on dusk and Wyldfyre hurried her steps. She was late.
“About time you showed up” Lydia greeted her inside the door. She flashed a grin at Wyldfyre and grabbed her hand and led her down into the dorms which were otherwise deserted.
“Where’s Gisli?” Wyldfyre asked her as she was dragged down the stairs.
“Vilkas has her. Come on, you’re late!” She pushed Wyldfyre into a room and Aela was waiting in there, tapping her foot.
“At last” she rolled her eyes” I was beginning to think you had taken off again.” She began unceremoniously stripping Wyldfyre of her armour.
“Hey!” Wyldfyre protested as the two women Man-handled her out of her clothing “I didn’t take off! I was...”
“Asleep, yes we know, I was only joking Sister. Now off to the baths!” She was ushered down to the bathing room and quickly washed herself while Lydia and Aela both guarded the door. She was then rushed back into the first room where she was roughly towelled off.
“Here, step into this” Aela held up a white gauzy flowing dress. Wyldfyre eyed it, and only then noticed that Lydia and Aela were dressed similarly.
“These are party clothes?” she took the thin dress and stepped into it gingerly, fearing one wrong move would rip it asunder. Lydia tied the ribbon that criss-crossed around Wyldfyre’s waist. The dress hugged her hips and the neckline plunged so low it barely contained her breasts. Wyldfyre looked down at her ample bosom with alarm. Lydia laughed nervously and Aela shot her a look.
“Of course they are, now hurry up.” She said, taking a brush to Wyldfyre’s hair. Lastly Lydia planted a circlet of pretty white blossoms on top of her head.
“All right, now I feel ridiculous” Wyldfyre protested “Flowers Lydia?” Lydia grabbed another ring of light pink flowers and placed them on her head as well.
“See, we all have one.” she smiled widely. Aela indeed had placed a ring of blue flowers over her flaming hair. Wyldfyre thought they both looked extremely pretty. Lydia grabbed Wyldfyre by the hand again and dragged her out of the room. They were all barefoot and they padded lightly up the stairs and out the back door of the hall.
“I don’t know why you are going to all this trouble” Wyldfyre was saying as she exited the door. The back under covered area was decorated with white flowers and white flags and buntings that fluttered in the breeze. Candles everywhere lit the area to a warm glow. The tables were piled high with roast meats and delicate pastries of all descriptions. Wyldfyre made a beeline for some lemon curd tarts but Aela steered her away before she could get her hands on even one of them.
“Ah ah!” she scolded her. “Not until after. Come on Sister, everyone is waiting”
“But I’m starving!” Wyldfyre pouted as her tummy grumbled. The two women led Wyldfyre around the side of the hall and towards the Sky Forge. Wyldfyre looked up and could see the light from the fire, flickering on the great Eagle statue.
Why is everyone up at the forge? Suddenly music started playing and Aela and Lydia stepped in front of Wyldfyre and they ascended the stairs in a slow line. Wyldfyre strained her neck to see in front of her and as she reached the top Aela and Lydia parted, both grinning widely at her. Wyldfyre stopped in her tracks. Before her was a mass of people she knew. Annekke and Ralof were there, as well as Wilhelm, who wiped a tear from his eye. Her brother Aiden beamed at her. Gerdur and her family were there and Jarl Vignar along with every member of the Companions. There were many others whom Wyldfyre had met since her time in Skyrim and every one of them was smiling at her. She saw Kodlak standing in the middle of them all and standing next to him was Farkas. Wyldfyre took in the wide smile on his face, along with the nervous energy emanating from him and suddenly something clicked inside her mind. She knew what was going on now. This was no welcome home party, this was a wedding!
*****
Wyldfyre stood there momentarily stunned, unable to move her feet until she received a gentle nudge from behind from either Lydia or Aela. She stumbled forward slightly until she regained her composure and then slowly walked towards Farkas.
Farkas, my love...? She sent out to him.
Are we about to get married? She smiled at people as she passed them. The smith, Adrienne gave her a wink.
Surprise.. he said as he shrugged at her, a sheepish grin on his face.
You do want to..don’t you? He looked worried as she continued walking towards him.
Of course I do! She sent back
You just startled me, that’s all.. He visibly sighed and then grinned at her.
You look good he sent to her then.
Good enough to eat...
Later... She winked at him. He looked incredibly handsome in full wolf armour that had been polished to a sheen. Wyldfyre, in her flimsy dress with no underwear, felt extremely underdressed.
She reached Farkas and Kodlak, who smiled down at her with pride and then Farkas took both her hands and they faced each other. Kodlak read from an ancient book about vows and the bonds of love but all Wyldfyre remembered about that evening was how handsome Farkas looked and the love that shone in his eyes. They exchanged rings and then were joined together by a white ribbon crossing over their hands. The final part of the ceremony was them drinking out of an old carved goblet that Wyldfyre recognised as the one she drank from when she was turned into a Were. This time though, it contained mead, not Farkas’s blood.
Farkas and Wyldfyre stared into each other’s eyes as Kodlak concluded the ceremony to the merriment of the crowd. Farkas took Wyldfyre in his arms and kissed her enthusiastically as the crowd cheered and clapped louder. Wyldfyre laughed as they broke away and the newlyweds led everyone down to the feast below. Wyldfyre was fussed over by the women as they commented on her dress and the lovely ring she wore while Farkas received manly slaps on the back at a job well done. The feast passed by with many speeches, some sentimental, some amusing. They also paid homage to their fallen brothers and sisters, Skjor in particular. Much food was eaten and mead drank and soon the celebrations grew loud and boisterous. It was all starting to get a bit much for Wyldfyre and she sought out Farkas who was talking to Ralof. Farkas saw his new bride struggling with the clamour, and gave Ralof a friendly pat on the arm and made his way to her.
“Come my love” Farkas held out his hand. Wyldfyre took it gratefully and they walked hand in hand around the side of the building. They stood at the secret entrance to the Underforge and Farkas let them in. When the rock closed behind them all the noise and excitement of the day was gone and it was only them. Someone had been in the Underforge and had lit the braziers for them. Farkas led her to stand in the warm flickering light and Wyldfyre’s heart pounded. He leaned in and kissed her gently, wrapping her in his arms.
“Are you happy?” he asked her. Wyldfyre sighed. She was happy. She was now married to her mate and they would spend the rest of their lives together. It was what she wanted from the very beginning.
“I am” she said simply. “Are you happy my love?”
“Couldn’t be happier” he said as he gently stroked her back. He nuzzled her neck, leaving a trail of kisses that sent a thrill through her. They kissed again, their desperation growing more and more urgent and then Wyldfyre broke away.
“But I could make you happier” she said with a seductive arch to her eyebrow. She caught up the thin shoulder straps of her dress and slid them down her arms until the dress gave way and she dropped it to the floor. Farkas drew in his breath at the sight of her and then quickly shed his clothes and took a step towards her but she backed off.
“No” she shook her head, smiling. “Not in here” she looked to the tunnel that led out into the plains of Whiterun hold. “Out there, out under the moon and stars”. Farkas’s slow grin was full of heat. “Run with me my love” she said, and they both shimmered into their beast forms.
*****
Wyldfyre stood on the great balcony of Dragonsreach breathing slowly. She had her eyes closed and her hair blew in the breeze. Soldiers and palace guards all stood nervously while the Dragonborn gathered herself. No-one dared to make a sound. Not even Vignar who waited in the wings. Wyldfyre sought out the ring on her left hand, her wedding ring, for solace, before taking in a deep breath and gathering all her energy.
“OD AH VIING!!” she shouted into the sky. It thundered across the plains. “Now we wait” she said to Farkas who was squinting up into the sky. He looked at her.
“How long do.....” His question cut off by a roar in the distance. “I guess not long”
“That was quick” Wyldfyre said as she checked her crossbow was secure on her back. She was fully stocked up on bolts and health potions in a small leather satchel that Eorlund had made for her that hugged her back. She had a feeling that she was going to need them in a hurry once she spoke to the dragon. She turned to the waiting soldiers and raised her voice.
“Absolutely NO ONE is to fire unless under my orders! Is that clear?” they all nodded. “Good. When the dragon lands keep out of its way. I want it in that trap before it knows it’s been lured into one.” She looked up at the soldiers manning the leavers that would lower the trap. “On my signal and mine alone!” she shouted up to them.
“Yes Dragonborn!” they nodded. Satisfied, Wyldfyre turned back to scan the sky. She saw a small blot in the blue that grew as the Dragon approached fast. Farkas spied it to.
“Here he comes” he said as soldiers around them squinted, not able to see it yet with their human eyes. “Get back, all of you!” Farkas shouted. He then looked to Wyldfyre “My love, I know what you intend to do and I don’t like it. Is there another way...?”
“We don’t have time for new plans” she said as the dragon drew closer “I don’t like it either, but...” She was cut off as the dragon roared out her name, to others it was just a terrible roaring.
“DOVAHKIIN!!” it snarled out her name. He had red scales that gleamed in the sun and his wing span was wider than the great balcony.
“Gods! He is big!” one soldier shouted as all of them stepped back nervously.
“Quiet!” Jarl Vignar snapped. Wyldfyre looked at Farkas quickly, who, looked a little frightened but tightened his grip on his sword none the less. The dragon made a pass while it studied the balcony and what enemies stood upon it. He flew out across the plains and turned back again, heading straight for Wyldfyre. She started backing up to give the dragon room.
“JOOR ZAH FRUL!” The Dragonrend hit Odahviing and he roared in agony and landed with a thud onto the balcony. Soldiers and guards alike all ran back towards the doors leading into Dragonsreach. The dragon let out a violent burst of fire in their direction but Wyldfyre threw up a wall of icy winds with both her hands. The dragon snarled at her and struggled to move under the Dragonrend shout. Someone fired an arrow at it and Wyldfyre cursed as the bolt hit the dragon above its eye, enraging it.
“Cease fire!” she shouted angrily. She blasted a small jet of ice at the dragon and it shook its head in pain. “Come on then!” she yelled at it. “It’s me you want to fight then, FIGHT!” she drew her sword just as the affect of her shout wore off and the dragon shook itself before clawing its way to her. It snapped at her as she backed up further, quickly glancing up to check her position
. Just a little further... The dragon seemed to be reluctant to go any further into the balcony, as it remained in place and snapped at her. It let off a jet of flame and again Wyldfyre had to defend herself with her ice spell. Fire and ice collided, sending jets of steam everywhere, that people had to avoid for fear of being scalded. Wyldfyre struggled under the power of the dragon’s fire shout and she backed further down the balcony as the very foundations of the building shook. The fire stopped and the dragon growled as it slowly edged forward.
“Think you can defeat me dragon?” she taunted it, trying to get in further in. In its arrogance it did not even notice the massive trap that hung directly over its head
. A little more...
“Soon you will be nothing but a pile of bones” she shouted at it as it snapped at her. It lunged forward and Wyldfyre dodged its massive teeth.
“NOW!” a thunderous clanking of chains echoed off the walls as the leavers were thrown and the trap released to free fall down upon the dragon’s neck. It crashed down, pinning the dragon to the ground. The dragon struggled for a moment before it realised that it was well and truly trapped.
“Nid! Horvutah med kodaav. Caught like a bear in a trap...” he snarled angrily “Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin.” Wyldfyre stood there, unresponsive. “Ah, so it is true. You do not have the speech of the Dovah” it sneered.
“That’s right Dragon” she said, stepping boldly in front of it. Farkas was behind her and she could see Vignar keeping his distance in the wings. “I need some answers and you are going to give them to me”. Odahviing struggled again.
“My eagerness to meet the Dovahkiin in battle was my undoing. I salute your cunning in devising such a grahmindol – stratagem. Zu'u bonaar. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this... humiliating position. Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?”
“You are correct” she said. The dragon’s hot breath fanned her face and she felt it oddly comforting.
“He has travelled to Sovngarde to regain his strength, devouring the sillesejour... the souls of the mortal dead. His door to Sovngarde is at Skuldafn, high in the eastern mountains.”
“Which will be highly guarded I have no doubt” Wyldfyre asked him.
“Mindoraan, pah ok middovahhe lahvraan til. I surely do not need to warn you that all his remaining strength is marshalled there.” He blinked huge eyes at her and she was almost lost within their depths. “Zu'u lost ofan hin laan... now that I have answered your question, you will allow me to go free?”
“Tell me how I get to this Skuldafn place?” she ignored the dragon’s request. A throaty noise emanated from deep within its belly.
“Krosis. There is one detail about Skuldafn I neglected to mention. You have the Thu'um of a dovah, but without the wings of one, you will never set foot in Skuldafn.” He turned his head slightly, eyeing off a group of guards cowering in the corner. “Of course, I could fly you there.”
“But not while imprisoned, is what you are meaning?” Wyldfyre eyed the dragon shrewdly. “Why are you willing to help me?”
“Many of the Dov have begun to question Alduin’s Leadership. I myself have wondered whether his Thu’um was the strongest. But you Dovahkiin, you possess the shout that was his undoing. You have given those of us the hope that we could openly defy him. With your help of course.”
“And why would I help you to defeat one tyrant, just for you to elect another?”
“I am sure you will change your thoughts when I tell you of the one we have in mind. The one who you take council from at the top of the world?”
“Paarthurnax?” she said with surprise. “You all wish for Paarthurnax to be your new leader?”
“Not all, but many. There are those that still follow Alduin’s Lordship. They are the ones you need to be concerned with if and when you defeat him.” This was interesting information to Wyldfyre. With Paarthurnax as their new leader, he could teach them the Way of the Voice, to help the Dragons curb their inner natures. Maybe even live peacefully beside man. It would be a perfect world. But Wyldfyre was not naive enough to think that such a world existed.
“There is no other way to Skuldafn?” she asked the Dragon.
“There is not. Quite the conundrum is it not? You do not wish to free me, yet without doing so, you can not defeat Alduin.” Wyldfyre stood there, thinking about her options, and she seemed to have only one.
“All right Odahviing” she called the dragon by its name “I will set you free, as long as you take me to Skuldafn” She could hear the audible gasps from behind her.
Wyldfyre...! Farkas sent out to her but she held up her hand.
“Know this though. You betray me and I will make it my life’s mission to hunt you down and rip your heart out.”
“You have my word as one of the Dov. Now release me” Wyldfyre stepped back.
“Are you sure about this?” Farkas asked her, his hand on her arm. She nodded.
“It’s the only way. Stand back” She sheathed her sword to show the dragon she meant it no harm. She was relying solely on its own honour to keep its promise. It could very easily turn on her and snap her in half once it was released from its trap. “Raise the yoke!” she shouted up to the guards. They looked to their Jarl for conformation.
“My Jarl?” one of them asked. Jarl Vignar stared hard at Wyldfyre and she stared back at him, unflinching. He gave a quick nod of his head and the guards slowly raised up the massive yoke. As it released the dragon it stood up and shook its head then turned around and clawed its way back to the front of the balcony. Wyldfyre strode alongside it, while Farkas followed close.
“Are you ready to embrace the skies Dovahkiin?” Odahviing said to Wyldfyre, eyeing her.
“Give me a minute” she said and walked over to Farkas, who looked both proud and petrified. He handed her cloak and gloves to her and she put them on. “My love...” she began. Farkas took her hands. “I.. I’m not sure what is going to happen, or how long I will be gone for”
“I’ll wait for you. I always will” he said as he kissed her hands. He drew her to him and wrapped her in his arms. She breathed in his scent, seeking comfort while inside she was terrified. “Come back to me, do you hear me?” Farkas whispered in her ear. They then kissed so deeply that guards and soldiers turned away, slightly embarrassed by their open display of emotion.
“Until I return” she said as she drew away. She turned to the dragon, stealing herself for what she had to do next. “Let’s do this” she said and the dragon lowered his head and she grabbed one of his spikes and stepped up and threw her leg over his neck. She held on with both hands as the dragon suddenly threw out his wings.
“Zok brit uth! I warn you, once you've flown the skies of Keizaal, your envy of the dov will only increase.” He said to her and then her stomach plummeted to her feet as Odahviing launched up into the air.
“Good hunting” Farkas whispered from far below as he watched the dragon carrying his love away, into the blue beyond.