Disclaimer: I do not own the elder scrolls, or any of the other characters in this story that belong to Bethesda. But I did create some of my own characters for the story.

Authors Note:

There will be some awesome mods in this and some items and ideas that I have invented for this story. A list of my favourite mods that I'll be using in each chapter, along with their creators' names, will be added throughout the story, disclaimers included.

Mods used:

CITRUS Heads (HD Meshes) – by Blabba

Greetings my dear Friends and fantastic readers, welcome to the next and final instalment of Kaal do faal Rah, Skuld do unslaar – book 1… Please enjoy.

Chapter 9 – Drive out the Stormcloaks

Location: Tamriel, Skyrim, Whiterun

P.O.V. Cerith the Dragonborn

"SHAHVEE! RAM-KU!"

I screamed in anguish, jumping off Freka and running to the quickly burning building that I once called home, charging through the front door, I held my arms up protectively as pieces of burning masonry rained down from the ceiling. Looking around the ground floor, the living space of the house, I couldn't see either my wife or son. Running across to the other end of the ground floor, I opened the door to Ram-Ku's room, fires exploded outward at me from within the burning room, I squinted my eyes as I desperately tried to see through the choking smoke and fire. He wasn't in there. I quickly slammed the doors shut and turned and ran up the stairs to the second floor.

"SHAHVEE! RAM-KU! WHERE ARE YOU! PLEASE ANSWER ME!" I screamed out in desperation.

"Cerith… over here…" called out a weak voice.

The voice came from upstairs, from my room. Following it, I bolted up the stairs and into my room. When I looked around, I found her, it was Lydia, my Housecarl, she was pinned under a large heavy wooden support beam… and there was a sword impaled in her chest, piercing right through her steel armour, and blood everywhere. The two of us met about five years ago, just a few days after I had arrived in Skyrim. Word had reached Jarl Balgruuf that a dragon (who I later learnt was named Mirmulnir) was attacking the western watchtower. In response, he sent me along with a number of Whiterun guards to kill him. It was the most terrifying and deadly fight of my life, back then I was so young and inexperienced, I only had some rough hide armour, an iron sword (with a storm damage enchantment on it thanks to Farengar's help) and shield from Helgen. I also had very little magic and a long bow and quiver of iron arrows from my friend Hadvar.

I knew that I was no match for him and that facing that dragon head on would most certainly lead to my death, so I hid behind things and used my bow to bring him down. Then I quietly snuck up behind him and climbed up his back, and with all my strength, ran my sword through his head, skull and brains, killing him instantly; it also destroyed my sword.

After he had been defeated, something happened that I couldn't understand or comprehend back then, Mirmulnir's soul was absorbed into me… the feeling of it was so strange and yet absolutely horrible, I still don't know how to fully explain it, other than the fact that it just felt… wrong, just wrong.

After that my live changed forever, no longer was I just an Argonian boy from Cyrodiil, but now strange words and titles followed me everywhere… Dragonborn… hero… shout… Thane… it was all just so overwhelming, I felt so lost, it was like I was drowning, which is something I am incapable of doing. In gratitude Jarl Balgruuf made me a Thane, gave me a house in Whiterun and assigned me a Housecarl, and that housecarl was Lydia. She was about the same age as me at the time, give or take a year, but she wasn't the friendliest of people when we first met, she was always so focused on her sworn duty, but as time passed, things changed and we became friends.

But now, after all of this time, after all we've been through, why does it have to end like this? I ran over and took her hand in mine.

"Lydia, oh gods what happened?" I already knew the answer, but I had to ask.

"It was… it was the Stormcloaks my Thane, they broke in, I fought them with everything I had, but it wasn't enough, I'm sorry" I could feel tears welling up as I squeezed her hand a little.

"Don't be, you did everything you could, I could not ask for a finer friend that you Lydia." A sad smile crossed my face before I continued; there was one question I must ask, one I dreaded the answer to. "But what happened to Shahvee and Ram-Ku, did they manage to find somewhere safe?"

"No… they were here when 'cough' when those Stormcloaks broke in… they… they took them" My blood turned to ice, as my mind went blank.

"You have to leave and save them, before…"

"I'm not leaving you like this, you and me, we've been friends for so long now, I can't and won't let it end like this" I tried to reach forward to help her, but she grasped my hand, stopping me.

"You don't have a choice, I'm already dead, I can already hear the halls of Sovnguard calling my name… 'cough' 'cough'… I'm not long for this world; there is nothing you can do for me… You have to save your… family..." I clamped my hands around the wound where the sword was impaling her, I used my restoration magic to try desperately to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. All I could do was watch helplessly as her eyes clouded over and the life left her… She was gone.

"… Lydia… I'm sorry… I should have gotten here sooner… " Tears fell as I stretched my hand towards her face and closed her eyes. "I can never repay you for all that you've d…" Two cries filled the air from outside, two very familiar… No… that's my wife and son. I raced out of the burning building, then I heard their voices again, turning towards the source, I ran with everything I had. I left Whiterun, ran back down the path, across the drawbridge, round the path and down, and that's when I saw them, the retreating Stormcloaks, with my family.

I ran towards them with my sword drawn, intent on ending this and saving my family.

"Hold it you damn lizard!" Shouted one of the Stormcloaks.

It was the Stormcloak general, but he wasn't just any Stormcloak general, it was Galmar Stone-Fist, second-in-command of the Stormclaoks. I'd met him once before, when I last visited Windhelm, he made my scales crawl. Ulfric was defiantly a bad person, but Galmar was on a whole other level, he's one of the most ruthless and merciless men that I'd ever encountered. And the way that he looks at me, with such utter disgust and hatred. I know how my fellow Argonians living in Windhelm are treated, along with the Dark Elves, like second class citizen, and even less than that. So I don't think he's very happy with the idea of the Dragonborn, a person that the Nords consider to be a true paragon of their culture, being a lowly scaly Lizard like myself, a creature, a beast who isn't even supposed to be allowed into their precious city. And because of this, right now, this situation just went from bad to worse.

"Galmar, what are you doing?"

Galmar roughly grabbed my wife by her arm and pulled her against his chest, placing a dagger at her throat, Ram-Ku held at knife point by another Stormcloak, terrified tears falling down his face as he looked imploringly at me. Flinching, I felt my sword arm shaking.

"If you try anything lizard, you know what will happen" he coldly replied.

"Please, you don't have to do this, you've already lost. So please, just let them go, and I swear on the name of Talos, I will not stop you and your men from returning to Windhelm, just please don't hurt them." I pleaded to him.

"Why should I trust the word of some scaly Imperial dog like you lizard, look at what you've done, so many of my kinsmen dead, cursed be your name with scorn unceasing!" he spat hatefully at me, and pressed the dagger closer against Shahvee's neck, drawing a gasp from her.

"You know why Galmar, I may believe in the Empire, but I do not brake sworn oaths, especially those made in the names of the gods" Galmar visibly relaxed at that, and loosened the pressure of the dagger.

"You know something." Galmar released his grip on Shahvee, letting her go.

"My men may have lost to you… but I refuse to be defeated by the likes of you, you stinking lizard!" Galmar shouted and kicked my wife to the ground with a heavy boot, then drew his iron battle axe.

"Shahvee!" I ran towards her, but then I saw Galmar charging at me.

Drawing my sword I managed to parry the blow at the last second, he drew back for another attack, I side stepped out of the way just in time. I aimed for his exposed back but he dodged under my swing, avoiding it then tackling me to the ground and I lost my sword, he swung his axe at me intent on finishing me off, but I rolled to the side and kicked my legs out, first getting him in the chest and winding him, then to his legs, I felt something crack and he fell back with a grunt of pain. I scrambled over to my sword and tried to grab it but I felt a massive jab of pain in my side and he kicked away my blade.

"Take this you stinking animal, you dirty, filthy beast!" Galmar spat and kicked me hard in the side again and again, with his heavy iron boots, drawing grunts of pain from me.

"Please stop, you've won, just don't hurt him anymore!" Cried out Shahvee, which made Galmar stop for a moment and turn to her.

"Be quiet lizard, or after I'm done with this defiler, you and your filthy son will be ne..AHHHH" The moment he turned his back, I used my magic to pull my sword to me and slash the backs of Galmar's legs, bringing the bear of a Nord to his knees, cradling his bleeding legs.

"Xhuth! Nobody threatens my family!" I shout at him and climb back uneasily, up to my feet. I walk over to him and stand in front of him, scowling angrily down at him.

"No you listen to me Galmar, and you listen well. This fight is over just as this battle is over, there has been enough killing and death. You and your remaining men are to leave Whiterun at once and return to Windhelm, understand?"

"Yes" he grunted in response.

"Good, but I have one last thing to say to you" I pointed the tip of my sword at his neck.

"You crossed the line Galmar, you, an honourable man, threatened my wife and son, you held them at knife point, what kind of so called honourable man would do that?"

"…" He gave no answer.

"You disgrace not only yourself, but everything you fight for and represent; your actions today sully the very name of the Stormcloaks and everything they stand for"

"…" he still said nothing, only glaring at me.

"Tell me, why after waiting so long did you and Ulfric decide to attack now? The war was supposed to be over with the peace treaty signed."

"As Ulfric told you and your Imperial friends, the treaty was only temporary. And now that Alduin is dead, that treaty has no meaning anymore. But we knew that whichever side you picked you'd win the war, and so we waited and waited, Ulfric kept seeking your allegiance but you always turned his offers down. Eventually I had had enough of waiting and told him the truth, that the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim, do not need the help of some disgusting stinking lizard to win, and that you cannot be the Dragonborn, the one who is supposed to be a true paragon of our people, such a man could only be a Nord not a scaly lizard like you!" So that was why this had all happened, the Stormcloaks had simply had enough waiting, and all they needed was a little push and the war would begin anew, and that push was Galmar's hatred of my people.

"You've made your point Galmar, now here's mine" I pressed the tip of my blade against the skin of his neck. "If you, Ulfric or any of your Stormcloaks threaten my family ever again, I will rain down the wrath and fury of Sovnguard upon all of you. The same goes for the dark elves and my fellow Marsh brothers and sisters in Windhelm, if you ever hurt any of them, not even Talos will be able to save you." I released my sword from his neck and backed away; letting the other Stormcloak soldiers go to him and help him up. And they all started to leave.

"Pray that we never meet again" I said to him as they left. Then I turned back to my beautiful wife, just in time to hear:

"Papa"

A little voice squeaked, I turned in time to see my little son run up to me and hug me tightly. He was only four, so he was only tall enough to hug my leg. I reached down and picked him up into my arms, hugging him close to me.

"Hey there my special little man, are you okay, they didn't hurt you?" Ram-Ku shook his head, which meant no.

"That's good"

"Will those bad men be coming back papa? They're scary." He asked.

"Don't worry, Papa told the scary bad men off, they won't be coming back" I smiled at him and reached down to give his tummy a good tickling, bringing a big smile and a fit of giggles.

"Thank you my dear" said Shahvee. I turned and smiled at my beautiful radiant wife "You saved everyone."

I looked down "Not everyone, so many lost their lives, and Lydia…"

"I know, she helped us sneak out of the house before the Stormcloaks broke in, then you came and saved us. Don't focus only on what has been lost, but what has been saved." She reached over to me, and stroked the side of my face with her soft hands.

I smiled "Why is it that you always seem to know just what to say?" I asked.

"I lived in Windhelm, along with the other Argonians in the docks remember, I didn't just have to keep my hopes up, I also had to keep theirs up too." She giggled a little, and I joined in.

"So what will we do now? We've lost our home and all we owned, Lydia's gone, the Stormcloaks could come back and, and I just don't know." She sighed.

"Hey come on, we haven't lost everything, it's just like you said dear. Don't focus only on what has been lost, but what has been saved, me, you, our son, we're all still together, and in the end, that is all that matters right?" I held her hand and smiled brightly to her, and she smiled back.

"You're right my love, we do" Shahvee leaned forward, and we kissed.

"Eew, that's gross" said Ram-Ku, sticking his tongue out.

P.O.V. Change

Far away from the city, with Whiterun in the distance, the remainder of the Stormcloak liberation army limped back to Windhelm defeatedly. Although many called them rebels, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim knew them as freedom fighters, who would liberate Skyrim from the tyranny and cowardice of a weak and dying empire. They had thought that Whiterun would have been the first of many to taste the sweet nectar of freedom, the ambrosia of life. But they did not count on the one man, no, one damn lizard single-handedly smashing their righteous quest of justice. Although many whispered that he was Dragonborn, those whispers were quickly silenced, for no lizard could possibly be blessed by such a divine honour.

"General, what do we do now?" asked a Stormcloak soldier.

"We keep moving and return home to Windhelm. We must regroup and inform Jarl Ulfric of this new development," Galmar grimaced.

"Sir, there's someone ahead on the road" another of the soldiers informed Galmar.

Galmar looked ahead, up the pathway; there was indeed someone on the road up ahead, but there were two things about this stranger that stood out, whoever it was, was standing off the side of the road, leaning against a sign post, and looking toward them. But the second thing was what worried Galmar the most, this stranger was garbed in the similar kind of black hooded robes that witches and necromancers normally wore… Galmar gulped uneasily, for like most Nords, he distrusted and feared magic.

"Hold" he ordered his men, before walking towards the stranger.

"… Well, well… I take a little break from all of this walking and who should turn up to my rescue, but the famous second in command of the Stormcloak army, I'm honoured…" The stranger spoke in a gritty and crafty voice, one that sounded like it belonged to woman who had seen much in her life.

"Well, you seem to know me, but I do not know you," Galmar replied.

"My name is Lysanna young man, oh, you and your men don't look too happy. If you don't mind me asking, what happened to all of you?"

Galmar gritted his teeth at the memory "A damn lizard who dares to call himself Dragonborn, got lucky."

"I don't think luck had anything to do with it, for I know of whom you speak. He and I have crossed paths before, on the opposite sides of the road, if you know what I mean," she said, and Galmar understood what she meant.

"You and he have fought before"

"No, off course I haven't fought him, for if I had; we wouldn't be standing here having this conversation," she explained, with a slight raspy chuckle.

"I see, then tell me, why are you here?" Galmar asked, wishing to get right to the point.

"Have you ever heard of the saying: my enemy's enemy is my friend?" she asked.

"I see, so you wish to form an alliance with the Stormcloaks, through it you would gain the aid of a vast army, many resources and our protection, but what could you offer in return?" asked a curious and very interested Galmar.

"… A way to finally rid yourself of our common problem, and inflict much sweet pain and cold bloody vengeance upon him, and though this, the only real obstacle for the Stormcloaks shall be ended. So what do you say Galmar, do I have the support and friendship of you and the Stormcloaks?" Lysanna explained, and held out her hand to Galmar.

He thought about it for a moment, he knew that he wanted revenge against that damn lizard, for his humiliating defeat at its hands. But he also had to think about if Ulfric would want such an alliance or not, but being as he and Ulfric were close and old friends who trusted each other completely, he knew what Ulfric would want. Since they would be going up against this so called Dragonborn, who possessed great power, he knew that Ulfric would want every advantage he could get against such an adversary.

"Very well, you make a good point, you shall have the full support and allegiance of the Stormcloaks." He shook her hand, the alliance made, vengeance would be his.

Hidden underneath her hood, Lysanna smiled maliciously.

End of Book 1

Authors Note:

My friends, this both a joyous and yet sad occasion, the first book in my Elder Scrolls series has at long last, come to the end. I'm very happy about this, for this is the first story that I have ever written to have actually been completed. And yet now our adventures in the lands of the Elder Scrolls have come to an end. But this won't be the end, for this is just book one, so one day soon, a new adventure shall begin. So until then my friends and fellow reader's goodnight and goodbye.

PS:

Guys I seriously need your reviews, they help me keep going, giving me energy and motivation to keep going, your reviews my dear friends are my muse.

Future notice:

Before I publish Book 2, I will post something special on this story beforehand.