Just a Skyrim fanfic: Extended cut

Odahviing and Skuldafn

Leonidas: You know... what?

Delphine: He's a dragon. Not just any dragon, but the right hand of Alduin. Responsible for many atrocities during the ancient dragon war. The blades have been hunting him for centuries, but he was protected by the greybeards and the emperors. Justice demands that he die for his crimes. Until he is dead, I'm afraid my oath as a blade prevents me from offering you aid

Leonidas: I can live with that

(Leonidas is about to walk away, but Delphine grabs his shoulder)

Delphine: Justice can be harsh, but it is still justice. Paarthurnax deserves to die

Leonidas: Why does he deserve to die? He helped me

Esbern: True, his crimes are long in the past, plus he turned traitor to Alduin and helped overthrow the dragon cult, but that does not excuse him of his previous deeds

Leonidas: Ok, I take back what I said about you having wisdom

Delphine: He may have betrayed Alduin in the end, but that makes him worse. Not better. Make your choice dragonborn. You're either with us, or against us. We can't afford to give Paarthurnax the opportunity to betray us in turn and return to his old master

Leonidas: Do what you must. But I'm not going to kill Paarthurnax

Delphine: If you change your mind, come and find us at Sky Haven Temple

(Leonidas begins to think deeply about the pros and cons of killing Paarthurnax)

(Pros: Another dragon soul)

(Cons: Guilt, losing a source of old dragon wisdom, losing a friend, having an alliance with the blades because they are inept and useless, possible banishment from the greybeards, and the fanbase blowing up)

(Later, when everyone except for the greybeards and Leonidas left High Hrothgar)

Arngeir: Leonidas? You seem troubled

Leonidas: The blades want me to kill Paarthurnax

Arngeir: Now you see why I've warned you against them! Bloodthirsty barbarians!

Leonidas: Is it true what they said? Was he really Alduin's ally?

Arngeir: Yes. But understand, all dragons were under his control during his rule. Paarthurnax included. There was nothing they could do. If not for Paarthurnax, Alduin could not have been overthrown. It was he that first taught men to use the thu'um

Leonidas: Don't worry. Of course I'm not going to kill Paarthurnax

(Arngeir looks very relieved)

Arngeir: Kynareth has placed the voice of wisdom within you, dragonborn. All you need to do is learn to listen to it, and your path to all will be clear

(Leonidas refuses to kill Paarthurnax, making the blades seal themselves within Sky Haven Temple and refuse to come out until he kills him)

(Not wanting to deal with the blades' BS, Leonidas heads to Whiterun with Maximus)

Balgruuf: I can't believe I'm about to say this, but we're ready, dragonborn. Just say the word

Maximus: Are your men ready to spring the trap on the dragon?

Balgruuf: As I promised, my men stand ready. And the great chains are oiled. We wait on your word

Leonidas: I'm ready. Lets go trap a dragon