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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger	By : Lady_Kae Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 9483 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game TES: Skyrim. All characters and game related material, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this fiction.

Chapter List
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Chapter 2: Happy Hunting

By Shor, that sun is warm today...Tarrowlyn thought as she stopped at a stream. She had made sure to grab her most presentable dress; ironically her favorite one for that matter, and she was in the midst of washing up before she made it to Whiterun. She didn’t want to meet the jarl looking as if the plains had just blown her in after all. Tarrowlyn sighed as she pulled her dress on and she shoved her armor into her knapsack; all with the exception of her boots. She needed her boots until she reached the city. Tarrowlyn buckled her sword over her hips once more, and she then put the bow and quiver on her back followed by her pack. She could see the city from where she was at and Tarrowlyn figured she had another thirty minutes or so of walking to do.
“ Well, back on the road with you.” she mumbled to herself. Tarrowlyn began walking down the stoned path, greeting the soldiers that passed her politely. Otherwise, she allowed her mind to wander back to the time she had come from. Tarrowlyn worried for her mother and how the news would come to the matriarch of her family. They had known enough grief in the last decade as it was.
“ ARRRRRRAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!”
Tarrowlyn’s attention from her musings was immediately diverted the moment she heard the battle cry and without thinking, she pulled her new bow and notched an arrow as she took aim at the same time. It wasn’t too hard to see what the intended target was as it was fourteen feet tall. The arrow flew true, piercing the giant’s hand and forcing it to drop it’s weapon as it’s fingers relaxed unexpectedly. The next arrow hit it in the knee, sending the huge brute down to the ground. A third arrow hit with a sickening thud right between it’s eyes just as a blade cut into the now exposed and reachable throat. Nodding to herself, Tarrowlyn continued walking as she shouldered her bow once more. Well, that was her good deed for the day.
“ Hail!” called a voice from over at the farm. It was deep, though Tarrowlyn could hear warmth in that baritone.
“ Hail. Can I help you?” Tarrowlyn replied as she came to a stop and she turned towards whoever had spoken to her. Sure enough, there was a man rushing forward to speak to her. Great. Now I’m probably going to have to deal with some manly nut who’s upset I intruded upon his fight. she thought. A very handsome, blue eyed manly nut, she mused as he got closer.
“ No telling to be honest.” the man said as he came to a stop before her. “ Even if the others don’t say anything, I wanted to thank you for your help back there. Torvar still has much to learn.”
Tarrowlyn was pleasantly surprised to say the least and she gave the man a sincere smile. “ You’re welcome then. Are you all headed back into the city?” She had started walking again and the man took up pace beside her. Tarrowlyn’s eyes were roaming of their own accord as she looked at him. He was quite tall, maybe anywhere from 6’3” to 6’5”; making her feel quite tiny next to him as she was at little more a foot shorter than he, and he was built. That much was clear to see even with his steel armor on.
The metal was gleaming where the sun caught it, and Tarrowlyn found herself looking over the craftsmanship. There was a wolf’s head at the collar, and also on his belt as well. The furs and leather were dark browns and black, contrasting appeasingly to the eye as she kept looking. Whoever had made his armor was a master!
“ Yes, we are now that the giant is dead.” he replied. Movement behind them forced them both to turn around and the man smiled. “ Aela.”
“ Impatient much, icebrain?” she snapped irately. Her brown eyes were wild, untamed, and full of fire as they leveled on Tarrowlyn next. “ That was some amazing shooting back there. I think you would make for a good shield sister. Have you put any thought into joining the Companions?”
Tarrowlyn’s brow quirked. The Companions? By the gods, her family had been part of the Companions for as long as any Dragonheart could remember, though in her time they were the police force of the holds. All three of her brothers had joined while her mother had talked her into going into the college. “ Thank you. I’ll be sure to think it over.”
“ You should join, you showed strength and valor out there.” the man beside her remarked.
Aela rolled her eyes. “ We’ll meet you back at Jorrvaskr, Farkas. Just move it, will you?”
“ Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you there, Aela.” he replied with a grumble. “ The name is Farkas.” He extended a hand out to her and Tarrowlyn blushed a little as she came to a bit of a stop. Then again, the only reason she had blushed was because she had finally met his eyes and gotten a much better look at his face.
Farkas wasn’t much older than she was; as Tarrowlyn herself had just turned twenty on the twentyfifth of Last Seed, which made her sure that he was more than likely in his mid to late twenties. He was undoubtedly a nord through and through, though he had dark hair the color of ebony and piercing bright blue eyes. His nose was a little on the big side, but then again Tarrowlyn mused, so was hers. His lips, full and oh so soft looking, almost made Tarrowlyn wish to kiss them right then and there.
Fjorden had to be either Farkas’ descendant, or his reincarnation, because the two men looked very much alike.
Tarrowlyn’s hand slowly but surely rose as she kept staring into those eyes. By Shor, he was handsome. She quickly regained her bearings as she placed his hand in his to shake it. “ Tarrowlyn Dragonheart. Pleased to meet you, Farkas.” she replied by way of introduction.
Farkas smiled as he brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles. “ The pleasure is mine, then.” he said. She was a lovely little lady, though if Tarrowlyn were to join the Companions, she’d have a hard time garnering any respect. Her looks would be a constant source of ridicule amongst the other shieldmaidens. “ What brings you to Whiterun?”
Electricity was flying through her body at the feel of his lips on her skin. They were just as soft as she thought they were...Tarrowlyn fought to keep her blushing to a minimum, as she wasn’t used to men openly flirting with her like this, and she pulled her hand away slowly as she began walking again. “ I actually need to speak with the Jarl. I’ve been sent from Riverwood with a request.” Tarrowlyn replied. She didn’t want to tell him that she had witnessed a dragon sacking Helgan. She wasn’t sure if he’d believe her.
“ Well then, I’ll guide you through town. Jorrvaskr isn’t far from Dragonsreach at all.” Farkas offered, his blue eyes locking onto her verdant ones as he smiled.
Tarrowlyn smiled and nodded. “ Thank you.” she replied. Oh yes, she wasn’t averse to this in the slightest. Besides, this would probably be the last chance she had to be escorted around a city she knew nothing about by such a handsome man.

A pair of ice blue eyes were watching the daily hustle and bustle of the Wind District as the person he was looking for came in sight. His brow quirked at the slow, leisurely pace he was walking at, the slightly shy, but happy look on his face as he spoke to the young woman beside him. Both were laughing at something now, and the young woman shouldered her pack a little before looking around. Farkas said something as he pointed down the way they had come and the young woman beside him nodded as she gave him a bright smile in return. She then began running up the stairs to the palace as they bid each other a farewell, and Farkas began walking up the stairs his way.
“ If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re smitten with her, brother.” he said teasingly as Farkas passed him.
“ Can it, Vilkas.” Farkas replied, though he was smiling to let the other man know he was teasing. “ You’d be interested if you saw a young woman like her just up and shoot a giant right between the eyes while showing no fear. She may not look it, but she’s got fight in her.”
Vilkas rolled his eyes as they made their way inside. Vilkas was Farkas’ twin and older brother, not that the other man would ever admit it. “ She’s like a little flower, Farkas. Her petals would be crushed in a day if she were to join the Companions.” Vilkas replied, albeit a bit disparagingly.
“ I don’t think so.” Farkas replied. He was heading down into the living quarters, and he turned right to head to his room. He needed to get out of his armor and get it up to Eorlund for fixing. The giant had bashed him pretty hard on the left side, and his armor showed it by way of a nasty dent. “ Can you grab the bandages?” he hissed as he pulled the armor away from his wounded torso. At least Tarrowlyn had proved to be a delightful distraction from the pain now flooding his senses.
“ That’s some nasty bruising, Farkas. You should go see Danica at least to be sure nothing’s broken.” Vilkas’ eyes narrowed in concern as he reached over the bar and onto the shelf where Farkas kept his healing supplies.
“ Tape them up for now, will ya? I’ll do that once I get my armor to Eorlund.” Farkas growled out.
“ What was her name?” Vilkas asked him, his tone curious and disapproving at the same time. She didn’t even look as if she could swing a blade properly, her form as a little on the willowy side.
“ Tarrowlyn. She’s running an errand for the blacksmith out in Riverwood.”
“ That requires her to go to the palace?” Vilkas’ voice was incredulous as he wrapped the linen tape around his brother’s chest. “ What kind of errand would carry such significance to see the jarl?”
Farkas sighed in relief as his chest stopped throbbing a little thanks to the pressure over his ribs now. He would definitely need to go see Danica soon. “ We’ve heard the rumors of Helgen, Vilkas.”
“ You can’t possibly believe that nonsense about a dragon destroying the city, can you?” Vilkas shouted, his eyes narrowing on his twin.
“ As a matter of fact, I do believe it.” Farkas growled in his displeasure. He pulled on a fresh pair of trousers and then a shirt followed, a deep burgundy color that made his eyes all the more blue. A black jerkin settled over his shoulders and he tied it closed. “ I’ll be back in a bit.” And with that, Farkas exited his room with his armor in hand. He needed to drain a tankard or two before he spoke to Vilkas again.

Tarrowlyn set her knapsack and weapons down near a bench and she asked the closest maid if there was a basin she could use to wash her face with.
“ This way, dearie. But be quick. Jarl Balgruuf might not take to your presence here in Dragonsreach too kindly.”
“ I actually need to speak with him.” Tarrowlyn said nervously. “ I was hoping to make a good impression by not coming in a mess.”
The servant nodded appraisingly. “ A good move on your part, girl. Let’s only hope the jarl grants you audience."

Tarrowlyn took a deep as she began climbing the stairs that led to the jarl’s throne. She was nervous, terrified in all honesty, but she kept her head held high as she moved with purpose. A dunmer took notice of her and she drew her blade as she met Tarrowlyn at the top of the stairs.
“ Who do you think you are approaching the jarl as such? The city is closed to outsiders.” she said, her red eyes narrowed on the nord woman before her.
“ My name is Tarrowlyn Dragonheart, and I was asked to bear the message that Riverwood is in danger. On the same note, I also bring news of the attack on Helgen.” she replied, hoping her voice wasn’t as shaky as she felt. She had left her own blade near the entrance after all. The dunmer straightened a bit as she looked over Tarrowlyn as if to gauge the girl and Tarrowlyn looked her in the eye. “ If I meant any harm, I would not have left my weapons as far away as I have.” she said, her eyes narrowing a little at the blatant distrust in the dunmer’s eyes.
“ It’s alright, Irileth. I want to hear what she has to say.” came a voice from behind them.
“ Follow me then.” Irileth said icily as she sheathed her blade. She led Tarrowlyn towards a raised dais upon which were three men, one who was sitting.
Tarrowlyn had to assume this was Jarl Balgruuf the Greater.
“ Now, what’s this of Riverwood being in danger?” he asked her as he sat forward to show that Tarrowlyn had his undivided attention.
“ I was sent by Alvor of Riverwood, my jarl.” Tarrowlyn said with a polite curtsy. “ I witnessed the attack on Helgen by a dragon and he, as well as myself, was concerned that Riverwood was next.”
“ Alvor? The smith, isn't he? Reliable, solid fellow. Not prone to flights of fancy... And you're sure Helgen was destroyed by a dragon? This wasn't some Stormcloak raid gone wrong?” Balgruuf asked her, his tone inquisitive.
Tarrowlyn sighed heavily. “ My jarl, I would not claim it was a dragon if I had not seen it with my own eyes. The imperials were getting ready to execute Ulfric Stormcloak when it attacked. Once Hadvar and I escaped the city, we saw the dragon fly this way over the barrow.” Tarrowlyn replied.
“ And you were a citizen of Helgan then?”
“ No, my jarl.” Tarrowlyn looked him in the eye as she spoke. “ I was found by the imperial caravan that was initially transporting Ulfric Stormcloak to Cyrodiil, and they assumed I was one of the rebel shieldmaidens who had been set upon by her peers. I was supposed to have been executed with the rest.”
“ I can see why you were hesitant to mention your past.” Balgruuf said gently, thinking she had been part of the resistance.
“ I never said I was with his cause, my jarl!” Tarrowlyn snapped impertinently. “ This isn’t about me, or how I came to be at Helgen! The only thing that matters is the safety of your people in Riverwood. I saw this dragon with my own two eyes, my jarl, and I can promise you that if it can level Helgen in a matter of an hour or two, that it can do the same to any other town or city in your hold!”
Balgruuf looked at Tarrowlyn in a much different light. No one had dared to roar at him in such a manner since he had been a tweener himself. It was rather refreshing in all honesty, being told someone else’s opinion without words being minced. “ What say you now, Proventus? Shall we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?” Balgruuf said after a moment or two. He leaned back in his chair as his blue eyes leveled on Tarrowlyn consideringly. She was young, but she showed a strength and wisdom beyond her years. Once she reached her prime, this girl would be a real force to be reckoned with, Balgruuf was certain of that.
“ My lord, we should send troops to Riverwood at once. It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains..." Irileth began, only to be cut off by Proventus.
" The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfric's side and attack him." Proventus exclaimed warningly, his brown eyes going wide in worry.
" Enough!” Balgruuf commanded imperiously as he leveled a glare on his advisor. He then turned to Irileth and sighed a bit. “ Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."
" Yes, my Jarl." Irileth replied with a salute.
Tarrowlyn resisted the urge to rock back and forth on her heels. She had yet to be dismissed by the jarl and she wasn’t about to be rude and walk away lest he have anything to say to her still.
Proventus shook his head in dismay. " We should not..." he began, attempting to plead reason with his jarl.
" I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people!" Balgruuf said passionately. Tarrowlyn’s brow quirked a little at the display. At least he seemed to care about what happened to those under his rule.
" If you'll excuse me, I'll return to my duties." Proventus’ tone was nothing short of defeated as he began walking away from the jarl.
" That would be best." Balgruuf leaned forward a bit to cradle his head in both hands a moment and he sat back up. He had almost forgotten that Tarrowlyn was still there. “ Well done. You sought me out, on your own initiative. You've done Whiterun a service, and I won't forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem.”
Tarrowlyn was handed a handsome set of leather bracers and her brow arched a bit. These were enchanted. It was a rather handsome gift of esteem if Tarrowlyn did say so herself.
“ There is another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone of your particular talents, perhaps. Come, let's go find Farengar, my court wizard. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and... rumors of dragons.” Balgruuf said as he got to his feet. He couldn’t understand why, but this young woman looked as if she could handle what he was about to task her with. “ Go grab your things, as Farengar will more than likely be sending you right out.”
Tarrowlyn rolled her eyes a little as she ran down the steps and to the bench where she had left her things. Balgruuf then proceeded to lead her to an antechamber to the right, and Tarrowlyn looked a little enviously at the arcane enchanter and alchemy laboratory. Oh the soul gems he had sitting out. Tarrowlyn very much wished to get her hands on a few. All good things with time. Just because I’m not going back to the college doesn’t mean I have to up and forget everything I know. Maybe I can get my hands on an enchanter….she thought. Her thoughts trailed as the jarl began speaking again.
“ Farengar, I think I've found someone who can help you with your dragon project. Go ahead and fill her in with all the details.” Balgruuf said.
The nord whose gaze she met next literally snorted in disdain. “ This dainty little thing?” he asked, raising a hand to motion towards Tarrowlyn. “ She’s but a child still, so her size says. How old are you, girl, fifteen? Sixteen?” His tone was nothing short of derogatory as he began circling Tarrowlyn as if appraising her.
Tarrowlyn’s eyes narrowed a little and she saw Farengar’s hand reach out to touch her. She immediately grabbed his hand, forced it behind his back, and kicked one knee forward so as to make the mage hit the floor. Her free hand grabbed the knife from his belt and it was immediately held to his throat. She could thank Mikhail for teaching her almost everything she knew about hand to hand. “ Twenty.” she hissed in his ear. “ And I know I’m a little on the short side, but next time you try to cut me down like that, I won’t hesitate to get hostile. I may have the beauty of a rose, but I promise you, I have many more thorns than most.”
Farengar nodded as Tarrowlyn turned him loose and he cleared his throat. "Of course, Jarl Balgruuf. You seem to have found me an able assistant. I'm sure she will prove most useful.” he replied, his voice a bit tight in his nervousness. He of all people knew not to judge books by their covers, and yet, he had done it to the young woman who was now handing him back his knife.
Balgruuf couldn’t contain the smirk on his face at Tarrowlyn’s display. Oh yes, this little rose definitely had some thorns. “ What was your name again?”
“ Tarrowlyn Dragonheart, my jarl.” she replied with another curtsy.
“ Well then, Tarrowlyn Dragonheart, succeed at this, and you'll be rewarded. Whiterun will be in your debt.” Balgruuf said. “ Farengar.”
“ Yes. I’m actually in need of something called the Dragon Tablet. My research puts it in…”
“ Bleak Falls Barrow?” Tarrowlyn offered, her brow furrowed a bit. What were the chances of that?! She had already combed the place clean, but had held on to a few things that she wanted to display once she finally got her own home. “ It may be coincidence, but I already got something matching that description from there. The general store was robbed a few nights ago and I was hoping to test the armor I had made anyways. We managed to get back the stolen item, but I didn’t return it right away. I wanted to finish exploring.” She dug out the stone tablet and held it out to Farengar. “ Is this it?”
Farengar looked at it a moment and his eyes went wide in surprise. “ This is! My, you just saved us a bit of time I think.” Farengar carefully laid it on the table nearby and he began muttering to himself as he began studying it. “ Tarrowlyn, can you…”
Before he could say another word, Irileth came running up the hall. “ My jarl! A situation has arisen!” she called out from near the tables.
“ What kind of situation are we talking about, Irileth?” Balgruuf replied, his tone conveying both his interest and his worry. His eyes looked to his dunmer housecarl as Irileth strode strongly into the room with another soldier right behind her.
“ Tell the jarl what you told me.” she ordered gently.
“ What do you think is going on?” Tarrowlyn whispered to Farengar.
“ No telling to be honest.” Farengar replied, though both of them were walking towards where the three were standing.
Tarrowlyn’s eyes narrowed as she heard the word dragon come up and she looked to Farengar again. “ Anywhere I can get changed into my armor in a jiff?”
“ My chambers are right there.” Farengar replied, nodding to the room over his shoulder.

When Tarrowlyn exited the room strapping on her bracers, the jarl looked to her gravely. “ There's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help again. I want you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dragon. You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons then anyone else here.” Balgruuf said, his tone nothing short of serious. “ But I haven't forgotten the service you did for me in giving the Dragonstone to Farengar. I have instructed Avenicci that you are now permitted to purchase property in the city. And please accept this gift from my personal armory.” A circlet was handed to Tarrowlyn this time and she stowed it away for now. She needed to look at what enchantments were on these pieces before she decided to keep them.
That was fast. It didn’t even take me a full fifteen minutes to get into my armor. Tarrowlyn nodded grimly. “ I’m ready when you are.” she said to Irileth. She could hear Balgruuf telling Farengar that the wizard was to stay at the palace as opposed to going to the field with the two women.
“ Let’s move then.” the housecarl replied.

Farkas was just exiting the temple when he saw a rash of guards rush past, only to be followed by a woman he recognized in an instant as Irileth, the jarl’s tightwad of a housecarl. He shrugged as he began walking towards Jorrvaskr again, only to have someone run right into him.
“ Watch where you….” he began agitatedly, only to catch a glimpse of green under the hard leather helm that had just entered his vision. Wait a second, he knew those eyes. His hands steadied them at the shoulders and Farkas chuckled. “ Easy now.”
“ Sorry.” Tarrowlyn said, righting herself a bit. She was blushing a little at the embarrassing situation.
“ Busy?” Farkas asked her, his brow quirked in curiosity.
“ You could say that.” Tarrowlyn replied, the ghost of a grin on her face. “ I’m sorry, but I need to be going.” The look in her verdant orbs was apologetic and Tarrowlyn had to suppress a delighted shiver as Farkas’ hands trailed from her shoulders to the bare skin of her arms.
“ Of course. Happy hunting.” Farkas replied. The feel of her was soft and smooth under his rough, calloused hands and his eyes roamed her face. Yes, he had a chance to see her earlier, but there was something about the way she looked in armor that was appealing as well. The smile Tarrowlyn gave him at this statement was bright and nothing short of contagious. Farkas couldn’t deny that he liked making her smile like that.
She couldn’t deny she liked his tone when he had said that, approving, confident, full of praise. “ You can count on that.” Tarrowlyn said confidently as she began running away again. The urge to do him proud suddenly filled her.
Farkas leaned against one of the wooden beams supporting the wooden circle surrounding the gildergreen and he couldn’t keep himself from watching her as Tarrowlyn darted through the Wind District towards the gate. Oh yes, as Farkas told Vilkas earlier, he was interested. While not as smart as his brother, Farkas was a damn good judge of character. Tarrowlyn not only had the fire to be a Companion, but the heart as well.

Tarrowlyn cut across the plains faster than Irileth and the men did, and her green eyes surveyed the tower from a ways off. She had no desire to become dragon chow today. She had yet to see the beast, but the tower itself was in shambles.
Movement from behind her made Tarrowlyn turn around and she looked to Irileth as the dunmer came running up.
“ Any sight of the beast yet?” the housecarl inquired quietly.
“ None. I fear it may be biding it’s time. We should search for survivors and help them while we have the chance.” Tarrowlyn replied. Every hunting trip her brothers had dragged her on was playing in her mind, the way she had felt when stalking her quarry. She needed to get into that mindset, needed to think of this as one of those excursions. Tarrowlyn needed to stay in that mindset if she was ever going to survive here. Happy hunting...Farkas has belief I can do this. I’ve taken down a rabid saber. A dragon can fit into that category as well. They’re only bigger, meaner, tougher...The well of confidence that she had leaving Whiterun was starting to taper as she kept thinking about how difficult it could be to bring down such a mighty beast. No, Farkas and Aela believe I have what it takes to be a Companion. My father and brothers were counted among those ranks. Wielding a blade is in my blood. I will kill this dragon, and claim something from it as my trophy. Tarrowlyn thought with finality. She needed to keep her self confidence up.
“ I couldn’t agree more. Alright men! Make for the tower and render aid to those who need it! Let’s move while we can! Go!” Irileth ordered. “ What will you be doing?”`
Tarrowlyn smirked as she met Irileth's eyes. There was a new gleam there, one that threw the housecarl for a loop. That look hadn’t been there when they had left the palace. " Waiting for my prey. Go help the men, I'll strike once I have an opening. I can't shake the feeling as if this dragon is waiting for us first."
Irileth nodded and ran over across the way in order to start helping her troops. No sooner than had she stepped foot into the tower a great roar echoed over the plains and shook the stone structure, making her eyes widen.
Tarrowlyn had already drawn her bow and her gaze followed the golden drake as it swooped near the tower. She loosed her arrow and it struck true at the dragon's wing joint, forcing a surprised roar from it. She ran forward as it landed, her sword and shield drawn as she rushed in with a mighty battle cry. There were guards rushing in beside her and from the other flanks as well towards the creature. At least she wouldn’t be alone if she died here today.
" YOL TOOR SUL!" the dragon bellowed as it shot a stream of flame at the oncoming woman.
Tarrowlyn persisted as she held her shield before her to take the brunt of the flame, though she bit back a scream as she suffered burns on her arms, legs, and shoulder. She raised her sword high as she made to bury it in the dragon's snout, and it moved back before the blow could connect. There were more soldiers rushing in to aid her now and she welcomed it. The more help, the faster this thing went down.
The dragon's jaws snapped at her, piercing through her burnt and smoking shield and into her arm. Tarrowlyn screamed and she shoved the blade into an exposed eye, blinding the dragon on the left side. It roared its displeasure at the unexpected attack, and it snapped again at the woman, who dodged this time. It reared its gigantic head up, intending to bite the smaller being in two and it came down.
" TARROWLYN!" yelled Irileth, who tossed the other woman her sword.
Tarrowlyn caught it with her injured hand after dropping her now useless shield and she swung both blades up into the dragon's exposed neck. It flew forward in pain, roaring all the while and Tarrowlyn jumped onto the back of its head while she had the chance. She shoved both swords into the back of its skull, and she heard something from the dragon in its dying throes.
" Dhovakiin?! NOOOOO!!!!!" it cried out.
Tarrowlyn was panting heavily as she dropped both blades to the ground, holding her injured arm tightly to her. She couldn't focus enough through the pain to heal herself. She watched as the dragon's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, glowing with a brilliant light as it disintegrated before everyone.
Without warning, the ashes of the now dead dragon flew toward her with a roar akin to a strong gale, wrapping around the injured nord woman in a swirl of color and magic. Tarrowlyn's green eyes were wide in surprise as she stood straight, looking all around her as she absorbed whatever was happening to the dragon.
It stopped almost as suddenly as it happened, though Tarrowlyn could hear a voice tickling in her mind telling her all the knowledge that the dragon had known.
By Shor, what in oblivion had just happened?!
" I don't believe it...." said one awestruck guard to her left. " You absorbed its soul! You're dragonborn!"
" What?!" Tarrowlyn asked incredulously. There hadn't been a dragonborn since Tiber Septim. The dragons had never returned after all.
" You're dragonborn!" The guard repeated, his tone full of reverence. " Try to shout, that will truly tell us if you are."
Tarrowlyn's brow furrowed a bit. She remembered the glowing word on the stone wall from Bleak Falls Barrow, a word she now knew as Fos. She inhaled deeply, not entirely believing it would work, and she aimed towards the open field. " FOS!" She shouted, though her eyes went wide as a blue wave of pressure emitted from her voice.
" By Ysmir...you really are dragonborn!"
Whispers starting passing through the guards mustered around the now dead husk of bones where the dragon lay, all of them looking to Tarrowlyn with a mixture of excitement and fear.
" Dragonborn or not..." came Irileth's voice. " We now know we can kill them. Get back to the Jarl and let him know what happened, Dragonheart. I'll stay here to help tend to the men."
Tarrowlyn nodded numbly as she stepped back towards the path that would lead to Whiterun. She hadn't even taken five steps when the ground shook.
" DHOVAKIIN!!!" echoed the call through the land.
Tarrowlyn didn't like the sound of that in the slightest, she mused as she looked around. Where had that come from?

Tarrowlyn walked into Dragonsreach a bloody and burned mess, though the looks she had gotten from the townsfolk had been worth it.
" What news do you bring?" Balgruuf said as Tarrowlyn approached his throne.
" The dragon is dead, my jarl." Tarrowlyn replied tiredly. " Irileth said she'd return shortly once she was able to figure out how many were dead as well as tending to those that were injured by the beast."
Balgruuf nodded as he stood and he began walking over towards the antechamber where Farengar was. " Well done then, but did anything odd happen when the beast died?" He motioned for her to follow him. " We'll have Farengar tend to your wounds while we speak."
Tarrowlyn nodded by way of thanks as she followed the jarl's lead. " As for what happened, why do you ask?"
" So something did happen then. " Balgruuf said knowingly. " Farengar, we're in need of your talents."
Tarrowlyn was ushered to a chair and was unceremoniously handed a few healing potions. Normally she would never accept anyone else's, but she didn't have much of a choice. " I absorbed some kind of of energy from the dragon as it died." She said, her tone puzzled.
Balgruuf's eyes went wide. " So it was you the Greybeards were summoning then. It's a high honor." He whispered.
" The Greybeards?" Tarrowlyn asked, her tone still confused. She recalled the name from a tome she had read years ago when trying to learn more of her family's history. By oblivion, she couldn't think straight at the moment with her arm killing her as it was and with as exhausted as she felt.
" The masters of the way of the voice. They live high upon the Throat of The World in High Hrothgar." Farengar said as he cast the spell healing hands to heal her arm. " Drink those if you please." He ordered gently.
Tarrowlyn grimaced and downed the first potion in one go. " What do they want with me then?"
" You absorbed the dragon's soul, meaning you are dragonborn. There hasn't been a dragonborn since Tiber Septim was still Talos of Atmora." Another man said. Tarrowlyn had seen him when she had first come into the palace, but she could not recall his name. " A dragonborn in these times...Unbelievable..." he whispered.
" Aye. You would do well to answer the summons, dragonborn, and see what these Greybeards have to teach you. Though do not think I have forgotten the service you have done for me and my people. I hereby name you a Thane of Whiterun, Tarrowlyn Dragonheart." Balgruuf said as he handed the now healed woman an axe. " From my personal armory. It will serve as your badge of office and allow me to say that I am honored to have the dragonborn as a thane of my hold."
Tarrowlyn bowed as best she could from her seated position. " Thank you, my jarl. The honor is mine." She replied softly.
" Lydia will serve you as your housecarl now, and should you choose to make Whiterun your home, she will guard all that is yours until her dying breath."
A brunnette nord was standing off to the side and Tarrowlyn nodded to her by way of greeting.
" Again, I thank you, my jarl." Tarrowlyn said. The only downside to this is that I won't make any coin off of it. Tarrowlyn thought to herself with a heavy sigh. She had made a little over nine hundred gold working for Hod and Gertur at the mill the last week. And while she would be content to keep doing so, Tarrowlyn didn't have anywhere to stay but at the inn. She didn't want to have to continuously pay for lodging if she could help it. Well, she could always talk to the blacksmiths in town to see if they'd let her apprentice under them for a bit. She wouldn't mind that in the slightest. Again, it was honest gold for honest work.

" I'm sorry, but I'm not looking to take on any other apprentices." Ulfbearth said apologetically as he sharpened an expertly crafted blade. " I'm sure you have talent, your armor says that if what you told me is true. I can't afford to house anyone else though."
Tarrowlyn sighed a bit heavily and she nodded. " I understand. Thank you for being honest with me."
" You're welcome."

Farkas was just coming down the steps of the Skyforge when he saw Tarrowlyn walking up the steps. He had just retrieved his armor from Eorlund and he was heading back inside to Jorrvaskr to drink and eat with the rest of his shield siblings. " Good evening Tarrowlyn." he said just a little gruffly. It wasn't that he was upset to see her, far from it honestly. Farkas normally thought with either his brain, or his stomach, and the latter of the two was demanding food and drink.
" Good evening, Farkas. It seems as if we keep bumping into one another." Tarrowlyn said mirthfully as she shouldered her bag a bit. Her ruined shield sat on the back and Farkas' brow quirked curiously at the sight. It was burnt and broken.
" Seems so. What brings you up this way?" He asked her.
" I need to repair my shield and armor for starters and Adrianne is busy at her bench so I can't work there. I was recommended to ask Eorlund here at the Skyforge if he'd let me use his." Tarrowlyn replied with a drawn out sigh. " I was also hoping to ask him if he would let me apprentice under him. I'm in need of work and shelter and I want to avoid living out of an inn if I can help it."
Farkas could understand that line of thinking and he shook his head. " A Grey-mane has tended to the Skyforge for as long as Jorrvaskr and Whiterun have been standing. I'm not all that certain he'll allow you an apprenticeship. He may let you use the forge long enough to make your repairs however. What happened anyways? Your shield wasn't like that this morning."
" You're right. I just don't know if you'll believe me." Tarrowlyn worried her bottom lip a little and she shook her head.
Farkas chuckled a little as he set his armor down. " Try me." He offered.
Tarrowlyn looked at him a bit disbelievingly and she caved at the look on his face. " I had to fight and kill a dragon today." She said. " I didn't do it all on my own, I had help from the guards of the western watchtower, and the jarl's housecarl. I would have died if they hadn't been there." Tarrowlyn rubbed her left arm without thinking. Despite Farengar being a talented wizard, she still had scars from where the dragon's teeth had punctured her skin.
Farkas' eyes went wide in understanding. " That's why you were in such a rush earlier." He stated simply. He looked up to the forge and then back down to the mead hall. He'd give anything to hear the tale in all honesty. " Maybe you'll tell me about the fight sometime?"
Tarrowlyn smiled and nodded. " Maybe some other time. I honestly do need to get my armor repaired however." She took a single step up towards the Skyforge and Farkas nodded.
" Good luck with Eorlund. You'll need it." He chuckled.
Tarrowlyn laughed a little in response. " Have a good evening Farkas." She said, running back up the steps.

Eorlund shook his head as he looked at the sorry state of her shield and the damaged pieces of her armor. " I don't think any of these pieces are salvageable." He deadpanned. " Did you go head long into a burning building or something?"
" More like a jet of fire from a dragon's maw." Tarrowlyn whispered under her breath.
Eorlund's brow quirked at the statement, though he didn't comment further. He had heard whispers from the guards about the battle at the western watchtower today. So this was the lass that had felled the beast? By Shor, she was such a dainty little thing. How did she manage such a feat? When Tarrowlyn had asked to use the forge, Eorlund had been ready to tell her no. She had pleaded her case that she was going to be heading out to High Hrothgar and the she didn’t have the coin to commission a set of steel armor. She didn’t like the thought of having to use the leather pieces she was showing him, as irreparable as they were with burns and punctures, but she would as she was short on coin. She needed to make what she had stretch until she was able to find gainful employment. " I'll make you a bargain, lass. Let me see how well you can craft something made from steel, and I'll allow you to keep what you make. I'm not looking to take anyone on right now, but I have no qualms in helping you with what you'll need to protect yourself. These are dangerous times to be roaming about without the right kind of defensive wear. Especially if you are headed up to High Hrothgar to answer the Greybeards summons."
Tarrowlyn nodded. " That's agreeable enough. Thank you. How much will the supplies cost?"
Eorlund shook his head. " Don't worry about that. Now, go get some rest tonight. We'll start on your armor in the morning."
Tarrowlyn nodded her head once more and she smiled exuberantly. " Thank you. I'll be here bright and early."
Eorlund harrumphed a bit at this. " Not too early lass. I normally won't be up here until about eight or nine at least."
Tarrowlyn thought this over and her brow furrowed a bit. She preferred to get going at first light. Well, she could see if she could do a few odd jobs around town to supplement her coin. " I'll see you then, Eorlund. Have a good evening."

Tarrowlyn was tossing and turning in her bed at the inn. It wasn't that she was caught in a nightmare, oh no. Far from it in fact.

She could feel his breath, hot and heavy, against her neck. His pleased groans and whispered murmurs of pleasure were heady and intoxicating as he told her in no uncertain terms how she was making him feel. Tarrowlyn cried out as she clutched his shoulders all the more tighter, her own face buried in the crook of his neck as their hips met in a wild, breakneck tempo. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, drawing him deeper and closer with every thrust he made inside of her.
" Farkas..." she whimpered as his teeth nibbled on the sensitive flesh of her neck. " Please I...AHHH! YES!"
" Let go, Tarrowlyn, I've got you." He whispered huskily in her ear, only to make her cry out once more as he drew the sensitive lobe between his teeth.
Tarrowlyn's cries were growing louder in a steady crescendo as Farkas kept poling in and out of her, bringing her closer and closer to the edge. With a final shriek her orgasm crashed over her, with Tarrowlyn raking her nails down his back and leaving a matching set of bleeding scratches on his skin.
" I hope your ready to take a walk on the wild side..." he growled sexily in her ear as he turned her onto her hands and knees.
Without warning, Farkas was replaced by what could only be a manbeast, and Tarrowlyn cried out once more as the beast claimed her body vigorously and thoroughly. She wasn't terrified or repulsed by him either. She wanted everything he had, everything he was giving to her. She couldn't stop herself as she surrendered fully over to this beastial possession of her body. She needed everything, her body was demanding it! Tarrowlyn screamed as another release ripped through her at the same time the beast came with a howl. She could feel his hot seed flooding her womb, further sending her into the nirvana that was their coupling. His teeth sank into her shoulder, though it only served to heighten the bliss Tarrowlyn was in.
" Mine..." came Farkas' voice as the beast panted against her neck, spent and worn from their exertion. " You are mine, Tarrowlyn..."

Tarrowlyn bolted up in her borrowed bed, drenched in sweat from the erotic dream she had just had. What in oblivion had that last part been about?! By the gods, she couldn't possibly desire something as taboo as that, could she? With shaky legs, Tarrowlyn got out of the bed. By the gods, not only was she drenched in sweat, but the sheets and her nightgown her soaked in her fluids as well.
Tarrowlyn was no stranger to dreams like that. She had often dreamt of Fjorden in that sense, which only served to make her blush every time they crossed paths in Winterhold. But Farkas? Was she only using him as a replacement because he looked so much like the man she had desired from her own time?
A pleasurable shudder shook her at the thought of the Companion and the way his lips and fingers had felt against her skin. No. Farkas was completely different. There was something wild and unrestrained about him that called to her. The way his lips had felt when he had only kissed her hand had sent a thrill through Tarrowlyn that Fjorden had never been able to match. Yes, Tarrowlyn was very much attracted to the Companion and she knew it. Whether she actually had the courage to act on it was a different story however.
Grumbling to herself, Tarrowlyn pulled her nightgown off and poured water from the pitcher into the wash basin. Now she not only had to clean herself to rid the scent of sex from herself, but she would need to go wash her nightgown and knickers in the river outside of town. There was no way in oblivion that she was going to allow anyone to see her doing that.
Hopefully it wouldn’t happen again tonight, though Tarrowlyn had a feeling that hope was in vain.
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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger