The Last Dragonborn

Chapter 15

~<>~

I pushed myself through the night until I couldn't possibly go any farther. I didn't let myself even consider stopping until I saw the lights of the city across the snow covered river. The road that would take me to the Throat of the World turned south before I reached the city. But what was another half a league if I was able to get a good night...rather days rest. I glanced towards the ice covered peaks that surrounded the valley where the first streaks of dawn were shining.

I continued across the bridge and into the city. The city guards nodded to me at the gate and I almost turned around right then, losing my nerve. I hadn't anticipated they would be expecting me. In fact, I had assumed my arrival in the wee hours just before dawn would be something of a shock. Especially since I had been absent for nearly a week now. But instead the guards smiled at me welcomingly, as though they had been waiting, and one of them even held the gate for me.

Knowing there was no going back now, I lifted my chin and strode into Windhelm. The only reason the guards were so welcoming was because Ulfric would have told them I would be returning. I hated feeling like I was being predictable. If it wasn't for the fact that the guards would have told him I turned tail and ran, I would have left right then just to prove that insufferable man wrong.

I made my way straight to the Inn. When I approached the counter Elda nodded to me in polite recognition. I tossed the right amount of gold on the counter and she whisked it away. "Bread and cheese?" she asked.

"Just the bed for now," I told her and she gestured down the hall.

"You know the way," she said and she slid the key across the smooth wooden surface of the counter towards me. "Same room," she said.

I took the key awkwardly. It made me feel uncomfortable to know she recognized me and perhaps even saved to rent out the room I used for last in case I made an appearance. I returned to the room and it all felt too familiar. Not exactly in the way the Guild did, but I was comfortable here. It reminded me of those first few months in Riften when I had fought so hard to not get attached, to not become complacent in case I had to move along. I closed the door behind me, turning the lock and leaned against it. Riften had become my home not long after.

What was I doing here?

I should have gone south, that made the most sense. I should have gone south, fought the forsworn, and stayed in Falkreath, wet armor be damned, and then made my way up the Throat of the World to see the Grey Beards. Yet here I found myself back in his city for no good reason.

I dropped down onto the bed in my armor and although I was exhausted, sleep was elusive. After tossing and turning for a few hours I finally gave up and rose for the day. When I entered the main room Elda gestured towards a table where there was bread, cheese and a steaming cup of tea already laid out for me. I nodded my thanks and ate quickly.

Stenvar spotted me from his table. He waved happily and picked up his meal, coming over to join me at my table. He situated his large body in the small chair, making himself at home. "My lady," he greeted.

"Stenvar," I said with a curt nod. I wasn't in the mood to chat. My lack of sleep and anger at my own weakness made me more than a little irritable.

"Are we setting off then soon my lady?" he asked as though the entire reason I had come to Windhelm was to fetch him. It seemed as good a reason as any, and felt significantly less embarrassing than the reason I refused to allow myself to even consider in the privacy of my own mind.

"You have more than fulfilled your honor bound duty Stenvar," I told him quickly. I didn't want him getting the wrong idea. I had no intention of taking on another traveling companion.