Forgotten Heros: The Jarl of Whiterun

• Posted by Valierus January 29, 2017 - Filed in TSC: Skyrim - 1,160 views

     Valierus and Elwyn leave Riverwood for Whiterun bearing dangerous news for the Jarl of Whiterun. Dragons have returned to Skyrim, and signs point to one bearing down on Riverwood. They head there in hopes of convincing the Jarl to send aid, but they fear they'll be to late.

   

   

      We trek through the wilderness following the main road. By evening we reach the crest of a rise at the end of the valley. Spread out beneath us is some farmland and at the center of it is Whiterun. While it is in and of itself not very impressive, it does display the Nords refusal to die in these harsh conditions. I pull my cloak tighter around myself and reflect on how the Aldermeri seem so oblivous to the potential of the Nords for greatness, the potential to be greater than the Dwemer ever were.

      I glance over at Valierus who seems perfectly at home in this rugged landscape, and I realize just how glad I am that we met. I follow him down the rise pulling the hood of my cloak up over my head in case we encounter any Thalmor. We pass an Imperial patrol, and at the center of the four man patrol is a nord that I assume is a Stormcloak. He walks along dejectedly with his head down, he glances up hopefullly at us as we pass but Valierus ignores him. We reach the turnoff in the road at the bottom of the hill and turn westwards towards Whiterun. We pass several farms and a meadery, just as the road turns towards Whiteruns gates the sound of fighting reachs us. I instinctively run towards the sound ignoring Valierus as he shouts for me to wait.

      At the edge of a farm a trio of warriors fight a giant in a rather even contest. I quickly realize that if something doesn't change then the victors will be whoever can outlast the other. I brush my claok out of the way and quickly string my bow pulling the string back to my cheek. I take careful aim at the giant, and taking a moment to mentally thank Valierus for the leggings he gave me, I release watching as the arrow whizs towards its target. It slams into the giants shoulder just as it starts to swing its club. The impact throws it off balance, Valierus hurtles over the fence drawing his sword as he goes and crashes into the giant taking off its big toe with a massive underhand swing. The trio roars a battle cry and returns to battle with a renewed vigor. After several long minutes the giant falls with a great crash, and we all yell our approval.

      One of the group, a Nordic woman with red hair and battle paint approaches me, whilst a powerful man in heavy armour moves towards Valierus. "You handle yourself well, you'd make a fine shield-sister, for an Elf." Shes says apprasingly. "I'm Aela, and I'm here with my shield siblings because we heard of a disturbance involving a giant, and you are?"

      "Elwyn." I respond warily, accepting her handshake. "What do you mean shield-sister?"

      "An outsider? You've never heard of the Companions?" She raises an eyebrow and looks at me questioningly.

      "I only recently came to Skyrim." I say, my face flushing.

      "Well, it matters not, a shield sibling is someone who guards your back no matter what through thick and thin." She glances over at Valierus. "I saw him draw his blade to lend assitance to you and I assumed that you were shield-siblings."

      "In a way, I guess we are." I mutter. I think back to all the times I've relied on Valierus, and the times I've helped to support him.

      "Then you understand what its like." She nods confidently. "You should join the Companions. Brothers and sisters in arms, we show up to solve problems if the coins good enough. I get the sense you'd fit right in."

      "I'll consider it." I reply. She nods acceptingly, and she heads off with her siblings.

      "What did you guys talk about?" Valierus asks, he stands beside me watching the sun set over the plains.

      "Shield siblings." He glances at me, somewhat bemused. "Come on, shield brother, lets go talk  to the Jarl."

   

      We walk through the city gates, and the first thing I notice is that the whole city feels prosperous. The defenses surrounding it might seem underwhelming, but the houses, the shops, and even the blacksmith's forge seems well to do. We follow the road past the forge but Valierus stops before we've gone far.

      "We need more swords for the Imperial army, we'll do whatever it takes." A Nord wearing an Imperial's garb tells the blacksmith.

      "I  understand that but I can't fill an order of that size. Why don't you swallow your pride and ask Eorlund Greymane for help?"   The blacksmith asks.

      "I'd sooner bend my knee to Ulfric. Greymane will never make steel for the Legion." The soldier growls.

      "Greymane might not," Valierus interrupts. "But Alvor would be honoured to, he lives down in Riverwood."

      "See, there you go. Go talk to him, otherwise I'll do my best but don't expect a miracle." The blacksmith shoos the solider away, and we watch as he makes his way down the street and down a side street. "Thank you for that. The names Adrianne Avenicci, I work down here at the forge and I sometimes help out my father."

      "The names Valierus, and she's Elwyn." He beckons me forward, and I greet Adrianne cordially.  "What was that about?"

      "The legion is in need of arms for their fight against the Stormcloaks, unfortunately most of them are too stubborn to ask Eorlund for help. Anyways, my troubles aren't for me to burden you with." She thanks us once more, before retreating into her shop, Warmaiden's the sign says.

      "Lets go," Valierus continues down the road, at first I'm confused as to how he knows where he's going but then I realize he's aiming towards the tallest and grandest building at the center of the town. We pass through the wealthier residential district and steadily climb the steeps up to the castle. We reach the top and cross the bridge leading to the doors. Before we pass through the doors however the guards draw their axes and move to block the doorways.

      "The Jarl is refusing all vistors at this time on account of the war, official business only." One of them states coldly.

      "And you want to be the one to die stopping me?" Valierus responds just as coldly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

      "You think you can take on the entire Whiterun city guard? Don't make me laugh." The other guard raises his massive waraxe and scowls angrily.

      "Wait," I move forward to stop any futhering of agressions. "We bring news from Riverwood. They request the Jarls aid, on acount of the dragons." I say, attempting to sway them with my voice. To help matters along I layer abit of magic into my voice to disarm their fears.

      "Well, I guess its alright then." He replies hestiantly. They lift their axes and step aside.

      "Thank you," I grab Valierus's hand and drag him into the the keep, before he can say anything else. Inside braziers full of flames light the massive great hall. Part of the way down the hall a set of stairs lead to a massive fire pit with two laong tables on both sides of the hall. At the far end from the entrance, a simple wood throne sits with its back against the wall. Lounging in the throne is a powerful Nordic male in Nordic finery. His blonde hair is braided, and rests beneath an gold circlet. He's arguing with the men next to him and seems unlikely to reach common ground with them anytime soon.

      A dark elven warrior in leather armour draws her blade and approaches us, her eyes signaling a silent threat. "What are you two doing here? The Jarl isn't taking vistors." She states harshly.

      "We bring news from Helgen, and a call for aid from Riverwood." I reply, throwing a glare at Valierus who looks like he's going to start yelling. I pull his arm and hiss in his ear, "Let me do the talking."

      "Well at least now I know why the guards let you in. Come on I'll escort you to the Jarl." She sheathes her blade and leads us over to the Jarl. The Jarl and his advisors halt their debate as we draw near and the Jarl looks towards the Dark Elf with narrowed eyes.

      "Irileth, who are these two? I told you I don't want visitors." He scowls angrily at us, but only seems mildly annoyed at Irileth.

      "I'm sorry my liege, but they claimed to have news of Helgen, and a message from Riverwood." She nods to us, and takes up her postion on the Jarls right.

      "So? You have news?" He says, not unkindly.

      "Yes Jarl," I step forward, brushing off my hood and bowing to him.

      "A Thalmor." He rumbles angrily. On his right the heavyset Nord draws his sword angrily, the room echos with the sounds of dozens of guards readying their weapons. Valierus instantly moves to my side his blade jumping to his hand.

      "Stop!" I tell him, directing my words to everyone in the room. Once again I find myself lacing magic into my speech to increase its effectiveness. "Jarl, please. We've not come to anatoginze, and I am not a Thalmor." I give a small smile and continue sadly. "They wouldn't accept a half-elf anyways."

      A tense moment passes, but finally the Jarl gestures for his guards to put away heir blades. "You said you bear news, what is it? What do you know of Helgen?"

      With a last glare at Valierus to get him to sheathe his blade I say, "I remember watching a dragon descend upon the the town as the Imperials started their executions. We managed to escape a few weeks ago, and hunkered down in Riverwood. I thought that would be the end of it, though I wasn't sure what had caused it. Two days ago I saw tracks, barely a day's journey from Riverwood. I recongized them immedately. They were dragon tracks."

      "Well Proventus, shall I continue to trust in the strength of my walls? Against a dragon?" He asks turning to the man beside him. Another arguement ensues and Irilieth tells us to wait at one of the tables.

   

      They continue to argue for most of the night. When they finally reach a decision I'm sitting on a bench reading 'On Oblivion.' Valierus is laid out on the bench, dozing with his head in my lap. I look up at the Jarl as he rises from  his chair and moves across the hall towards us. "You've done me a great service this day. Will you be staying in Whiterun?"

      "No," I reply cautiously. "We'll probably head southeast to Riften."

      "Well, you have my thanks. If you wait til morning I can send word to the stables to have horse prepared for you." He offers.

      "That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you." I stiffen in surprise as he extends a hand towards. I shake it gratefully an I watch him ascend a set of stairs at the back of the hall that I assume leads to his personal quaters. I guess not all Nords are hostile to Elves.