Chapter 35- Dragon Born (Bonus chapter 5)

Our Hero, Our Hero claims a warrior's heart
I tell you, I tell you, The Dragon born comes
With a Voice wielding power of the ancient Nord art
Believe, Believe, the Dragon Born comes.

It's an end to the evil of all Skyrim's foes
Beware, beware, the Dragon born comes. For the darkness has passed and the legend yet grows
you'll know, you'll know, the Dragonborn's come.

Frey Greystorm remembered how things used to be. He was a Nord growing up in a Breton homeland. His father was a proud man who hated elves but knew where he needed to hide to stay incognito. Why they had to stay incognito? He never told Frey or his other children. His mother offered no explanation when her children asked her but Frey knew that she must know. All Frey did know was they ran to high rock after the treaty was signed with the Aldemeri Dominion. His dad simply said that Skyrim wasn't safe for them anymore.

He had a sister that was five years older than he was. He also had an older brother that was only a year older. He was the baby of the family and apparently the only one who couldn't remember Skyrim. They worshiped Talos and Frey was taught the lessons from the time he could speak. He wore an amulet under his clothes and held Talos in his own way. His father insisted on an alter in the house but they had to be careful to hide it when company came over.

Frey didn't know what they had to hide for. Skyrim was still free….they could have stayed but his parents were persistent on not going back. His sister Kahilda though, refused. She always yelled that once she was old enough to leave home she would…and go home to fight the good fight. Father threatened to disown her and not even that could deter her. She looked like Frey and their father. Raven haired, bright green eyes and strong facial features. His brother Darm looked like their mother; Fair haired with honeyed brown eyes.

His sister would train Frey in the art of sword and shield. Darm had no interest in learning. Frey wanted to be strong one day and be able to defend his family if anything ever happened. He knew it was only a matter of time before Kahilda left so when she was gone, he wanted to make sure he could protect his family. It was on one of his lessons that he first met Vincent Renalt.

A Breton boy had kicked mud on his little sister and the redhead had lashed out and socked the boy in the lip. The commotion had disturbed Frey from his practice dummy and he leaned over the fence that separated his yard from the road to observe. The redhead had moxie, Frey had to admit…for a Breton anyway. It didn't take him too long to introduce himself.

They made fast friends. Frey never really stayed close to anyone but there was something about Vincent that made him linger. He was easy to talk to, caring for his sick little sister and his mom was really beautiful. Frey had to admit, that's what drew him back the first time. He was just a small boy but she was a thing of beauty. Frey saw a lot of her in Vincent and wondered if he'd look like her someday. That…he'd like to be around for.

So when she passed away…Frey wanted to take Vincent and Grace in but his father wouldn't allow it. They were already crowed in that house and Nord boys grew quickly and they grew big. It was hard to watch his best friend get sent to a creaky old orphanage but he kept going to visit. They were thick as thieves the two of them and Frey prided himself in knowing everything about the fiery redhead. Vincent was reserved and hid his true emotions behind the caring of his sister. Others found him too distant, too cold, and too irreproachable but Frey knew him.

They were best friends…and then Vincent began pulling away. Frey wanted to live life while he was young and have a good time. On many occasions, he tried to drag Vincent out with him. At first, Frey figured that Vincent just didn't want to leave his sister alone but when others offered to keep an eye on her so he could go…he still made an excuse.

Vincent was keeping something from him and the mere thought was enough to drive Frey to near insanity. This was his best friend, for Talos' sake! What was it that Vincent could be hiding from him that he couldn't figure out? Frey did have to admit he ended up spending more time with girls once he hit puberty, then being concerned about his best friend's anti-social behavior. In fact, Vincent seemed more distant when Frey brought girls up.

Maybe he was offended? Frey figured he needed to go out and meet a nice girl but Vincent's attitude seemed to turn hostile at the suggestion. Every time he'd say the same thing.

"A girl would want me to pay attention to her and I need to pay attention to Grace. That girl would want to but could never take her place." When Frey argued that not every girl was like that, he'd get a scowl or a sneer from the redhead. "You would know every girl wouldn't you? Play boy."

Frey or Vincent would end up changing the subject and they would part with a smile but in the back of Frey's mind, he was still bothered by the conversation. He knew Vincent was harassed by others to go and meet a girl; having been present for a few of those conversations and Vincent never seemed to get angry. He'd laugh and brush them off as being 'foolish'. If Frey asked though, god forbid!

"I'm your best friend! I'm supposed to harass you." Frey remembered saying one night as they sat up in the greeting area of the orphanage. He had a semi-reluctant redhead pushed up against him and had wrapped his arms around said redhead to try and keep him warm. The heating in that place was absolute rubbish and his best friend's body felt like ice. He had rubbed Vincent's fingers until they felt warm again and before he could retreat, he had captured him tightly and forced him to siphon some of his abundant body heat.

"I don't see why you're so persistent about this…" Vincent had that tone in his voice that was just screaming at Frey to drop it. Vincent had given up struggling against the stronger and larger boy and had just gone limp in his arms.

Frey sighed. "I'm just saying…were getting older Vincent. Were sixteen and were young! Some people our age are already out adventuring or starting families!"

"So?"

"So?!" Frey echoed. "You can't stay here forever."

"I never said I wanted to stay here forever."

"All I'm saying is…you could use a girl to keep you company beside your sister."

"I need no other girl to keep me company."

Frey wanted to snack himself in the forehead but with his arms otherwise occupied. "I understand that your sister is important to you. I get that but you can't just…ignore everyone else. You ignore pretty much all positive attention that comes your way!"

"I don't ignore you." Vincent spoke softly, his voice becoming strangely tense and somewhat mousy.

"Well, of course you don't ignore me! I'm your best friend!" he saw Vincent's lips form a grim line. "What?"

"Nothing." His voice was sharp and sounding irritable once again.

"Vincent. Look I-"

"I get it Frey." Vincent finally managed to slither his way out of the Nord's embrace. "But you need to get that I'm…not like you." He seemed to settle on.

"Well…yeah." Frey began confused. "Nirn can't handle more than one of me."

"Agreed." Vincent said instantly. "For the love of all the Gods, do us a favor and never breed."

"That's cruel and heartless." Frey mock pouted.

He saw the redhead smile fondly. "Yes. That's me. A cruel and heartless bastard."

Frey found himself smiling too. He liked it when Vincent smiled…it seemed like a rarity now a days. He knew his friend was literately working himself to death. Between his job to make money and the constant care of his very sick sister, Vincent had no time to care for himself. Frey loved Grace like a sister, much like Vincent did but he'd already knew the harsh reality that Vincent seemed to be refusing to accept or admit as a possibility.

Grace was only getting worse and she was going to die. She was suffering and it was clear to see. Vincent worked himself to the bone to try and keep her as comfortable as possible but he too, was suffering. Frey felt as he was sure Vincent felt. Helpless.

Three days later, after helping Vincent bring some essentials back to the orphanage; apparently his best friend became adopted. They got to meet once more before he left and Frey could barely believe it.

"A grown man adopted you and your sister?"

"Yeah." Vincent folded his arms, a blank look on his face. "He only wanted me but I told him I wouldn't go without her."

"Don't you find it odd that a rich old man would want almost a fully grown young man as a son?"

"He's looking for some sort of magical apprentice."

Frey blinked. "Like…for magic?"

"Yes Frey." Vincent's lips quirked up. "Like for magic."

"Have you ever even cast magic before?"

"No." Vincent admitted easily. "But he says I have potential."

"Okay…let me get this straight… Some creepy old guy wants to make you his apprentice and you say yes to that?"

"He has the money and ability to care for Grace."

"So you don't care if you're uncomfortable with the situation?"

Vincent huffed. "Of course I care, Frey but…Grace will be cared for. She'll get help."

"And who will help you?"

Frey saw that scowl that he hated. "I don't need any help."

"Vincent-"

"I'm not a child, Frey. I need to do this for her! I can't just…watch her wither away anymore! She's all I have left!"

"You have me." Frey offered sadly.

"Yes…" Vincent mirrored the look. "But so does half of High Rock's female population."

Frey made a face. "They have me differently."

"…"

"Vincent?"

"They do." Vincent answered quickly as if he just remembered what they were talking about. "Look, I'll write to you and I'll try to see if I can come visit or if you can come visit me. Okay?"

"I suppose so."

"Don't be such a baby, Frey." He chided. "It's not the last you'll hear from me."

But it was.

Frey waited and waited but no letters ever came. Frey went back to the orphanage a few times to ask after the man who mad adopted his best friend but no one even seemed to recall seeing him; not even the owner who had apparently spoken with him. There was no hint of Vincent's whereabouts or any clue to where he was taken. It was like his best friend had vanished off the face of Nirn and no one seemed to care but Frey.

Weeks became months. Months became years and Frey had never heard a word from his long lost friend. His father had passed away too. His mom said it must have been his heart. His sister left soon after that, claiming that nothing held her here anymore. Darm fell in with some mercenaries soon after and it wasn't long until they found him dead in a bandit raid.

Frey's mother didn't hold up well. She took to blaming Frey for everything even when he wasn't the cause of the stress. He couldn't just leave her though. She was all he had left now and he suddenly knew how Vincent felt all those years ago. He stayed with his mother through both her declining mental and physical health.

His world just seemed to be failing down around him and he could have given anything to just talk to his best friend. Vincent never failed to make him laugh and no fine female company seemed to be able to pull him from the emotional slump he found himself in. He was able to eventually admit to himself that Vincent and his sister were never coming back and he needed to move on with his life. His friend was missing for good and his sister was preparing to fight a rebellion in Skyrim. It made his heart feel hollow inside, but he found the strength to push on.

Years later Frey's mother finally passed from the world of the living. He sat, the only one at her service, feeling relived and sad. He was sad that his mother was gone but relived that she didn't suffer anymore. The news about Kahilda would have probably killed her anyway.

Frey had received a few backed up letters from his sister. They must have gotten backed up, what with the imperial patrols in Skyrim now. So, Frey got them all at once and opened him by the dates his sister had labeled on them.

They started simply enough. Mostly the 'Hello's' and 'how are you.' Then they got more elaborate. His sister had apparently met someone. She was going to get married and start a family. Frey couldn't help but smile at the thought of his sister being a mother. She wanted Frey to come home to Skyrim and stay with her and her husband. She wanted her children, when she had them anyway, to have an uncle they could look up to.

He finally got to the last letter, already ready to write some responses to her concerning their mother's recent passing and all that he'd been up to. The last letter made him forget everything he was going to write as he read the hastily scrawled words upon the parchment. It looked like it was done in low light or none at all because his sister's usually neat handwriting was crooked and messy. All it said was…

'Frey. Markarth. I'm going to die. Help me.'

Frey stared at those words for a long time then flipped to look at the date. A year old. What were the chances that his sister still lived? She'd been gone for nearly eight years going on nine now…he didn't know Skyrim and he'd have to abandon everything here to possibly go on a wild goose chase for a sister who was probably already gone.

So he sat at his mother's service…the only one there in the candle lit hall and took a deep breath. It was easy enough for him to sell the house and what little possessions they had left. It got him just enough money to buy passage across Tamriel to Skyrim. His family was gone and he was alone. There was nothing left for him here anymore.

He'd go find his sister and if she was gone, maybe he'd join the rebellion. He clutched his Talos necklace under his shirt and took a deep sigh; smiling for the first time in days.

It was time to go home to Skyrim.

~Continued in Dragons and Daedra~

Thank you everyone for stuck with me and I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I'm also sorry it was so short. I found out that I was pregnant and a whole lot of planning has been taking place. I haven't had too much time to write. Luckily for me, I've been dying to start Dragons and Daedra so it pushed me to finish. And Crongrats to those who tried to guess. Frey Greystorm will be making a return in the sequel as the Dragon born! What became of his sister and what will happen if he crosses paths with Vincent!? That and you can't even begin to believe how much more I have in store for the sequel. Keep an eye out for it as it will be posting as soon as I finish the first chapter. (Which will hopefully be soon, baby stuff pending)

Goodnight, you beautiful people you~.