The Elder Scrolls V:

Skyrim

Prologue

Paarthurnax closed his eyes as the winds atop the Throat of the World died down. He enjoyed the moments of silence from them. It allowed him time to think, time to meditate, on words long forgotten. Perhaps he would come across some words he had not taught the Greybeards. It was unlikely, but Paarthurnax tried nonetheless.

A few minutes of resounding silence passed, the only sound of Paarthurnax's deep breaths were audible. And then another sound cut through the night. A child, crying. Paarthurnax ignored it for a moment, thinking that it was possibly a child from Ivarstead, and the echoes of its cries were being brought up to him. But as he focused more, he realized that this was not the case.

The old Dragon opened his eyes and carefully followed the sound. It was hard for a Dragon to move around unnoticed, but Paarthurnax did it well enough. After a while of searching, he found the corpse of an Imperial woman, frozen on the Pilgrim's Path. A small bundle was a few metres away from her, and this was the source of the crying.

Paarthurnax stooped and lifted the baby with one of his wings. The crying stopped as he examined the child. And then it started to laugh. Paarthurnax was confused, not knowing if the child was laughing at him, but he decided that the baby liked him when it reached for his nose and patted it affectionately. Paarthurnax smiled and turned to the Imperial woman's corpse. He contemplated on burning it and allowing her to properly move on, but he decided that the Greybeards could handle her. As for the child… They would ensure that it was properly cared for as well.

He returned to the Throat of the World and roared his Thu'um. The Greybeards would hear him, and they would be the only ones to. In a few moments, the Greybeards arrived. Arngeir approached the old Dragon.

"Yes?" he asked wearily. "Why have you summoned us, Paarthurnax?"

Paarthurnax unfolded his wing and let the baby gently fall into the Greybeard's hands. "I found this child on the Pilgrim's Path. It was lying by a dead Imperial woman. If you would, I'd like it if you'd give the woman a proper burial and take care of this child."

Arngeir examined the baby. "Paarthurnax, why?"

The old Dragon looked at the baby again, who smiled up at him and gurgled affectionately. The truth was… he was simply reminded.

"Entertain an old Dragon, would you?" he replied. "Please, see to it. I have to meditate on the words."

The Greybeards bowed and left the Throat of the World to return to High Hrothgar. Wearily, Paarthurnax curled up beside the word wall and fell asleep, dreaming of a past long forgotten by the mortals of the Nirn. One that was sure to return in the near future.