Companion (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Fanfiction)

Chapter 4

"Come on Miraak." The Dragonborn pulled Miraak along as she walked up the path to the door of her manor. A cow munched on grass off to the side of the building and several chickens clucked and squawked at one another. The woman was glad the animals were okay. Last time she came back, she had arrived just in time to save the animals from a pack of wolves. Though the Dragonborn liked the seclusion here, she did not enjoy having to defend her home from animals, giants, bandits and whatever else decided to ruin her day. Miraak tried to lunge at one of the birds when he noticed them but the woman's hold prevented him.

"You can have something to eat inside. Don't you dare touch my chickens!" The woman chided but knew Miraak likely had not understood. His second attempt at breaking free of her hold proved that. She heard his stomach growl again and pulled him to the door faster.

The manor the female warrior now owned had been very expensive. It had taken so much time and hard work to be able to afford this place but it had been worth it. It was comfy, spacious and the Dragonborn could actually fit all of her junk inside it without issues. She was quite a hoarder.

The Dragonborn unlocked the door, keeping an eye her new guest as she took her hand off of him for a few moments. He didn't move or run away, which was good. He didn't seem to mind as much when she took a hold of him, which was even better. The tired warrior pushed open the door and grabbed Miraak again. Once both of them were inside, the woman dropped her pack on the floor and began removing her armor. She couldn't wait to get it off. She was exhausted, sweaty and filthy, though probably not as filthy as Miraak. She had gotten sort of used to his stink but knew he needed a bath, badly.

The Dragonborn dropped her armor on the ground after getting out of it. She looked over to Miraak to see that he was doing. The man had stayed where he was, his eyes traveling across the inside of the manor, taking in the strangeness. He had likely never seen something like this before. Miraak took a few more steps into the house when he froze. He heard a sound.

Footsteps approached and a Bosmer male came into view from a doorway leading to the kitchen. Miraak instantly tensed and the female Dragonborn could hear a faint growl emerging from his throat.

"Welcome back." Silvan, her steward, greeted. He stopped at the sight of the unfamiliar, cloaked man in the house. The Bosmer frowned, never really liking any of the males his employer brought in with her, but let it go. He had no right to tell the Dragonborn that he thought most of her guests were troublesome thugs. The Mer's eyes widened when the cloaked man took a step towards him and growled. It was a deep, low sound that made him shudder in fright. He stepped back.

"Don't be alarmed, Silvan. This is Miraak. He's going to be staying with us for a while." The woman placed a hand on Miraak's shoulder but he just snarled and shook it off. The former Dragon Priest's eyes were focused on the Bosmer, seeing him as a threat. The Dragonborn gripped Miraak's arm then, not allowing him to shake her off. She would not allow Miraak to attack her steward.

"Stop it, Miraak." The warrior hissed at her former enemy. He jerked his head angrily towards her but stopped his audible threat.

"Is there... Is he alright?" Silvan asked as he watched the exchange. He wanted to ask if there was something wrong with the newcomer but that would not be polite. He already felt like this Miraak was going to be trouble.

"Actually... Yes. Quite a few things in fact. I don't think he can talk for one. He also acts more like an animal than a human." The Dragonborn admitted almost sheepishly, to her steward's growing horror. "I'll explain everything I can later but I'll need your help with him."

"Of... Course." Silvan wondered what he had gotten himself into. His employer was an odd woman and finding some homeless nutcase to take in would not be entirely uncharacteristic of her.