Prophecy Fulfilled

Ysgramor told me I had plenty of time to speak with my father as we would be safe in the Hall. I could never have thanked him enough as my father led me towards a nearby table. We sat down, side by side, as Lydia and Kodlak sat opposite us.

"I have so many questions," I stated, "I honestly don't know where to begin. Part of me still thinks this isn't real, as if it's all part of some dream…"

He laughed. "It's very real, Ragnar. My only son. Very real." To emphasise, he simply grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze before he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He was a very broad man. "And I have the answers to most of them. What do you wish to ask?"

"Can I ask what happened to you?"

"Of course. I was fighting with my unit outside the Imperial City, pushing the elves back, inch by inch, metre by metre, when we were flanked by another of their armies. We were annihilated, but we took thousands of the bastards with us. I won't tell you exactly how it happened because I can't. Thankfully we are given a reprieve by the Gods of those last few moments before death though most know how they died simply through guesswork. All I know is that I was right in the middle of the wall, shield to shield with my brothers in arms, and I can only guess that it was finally a sword that finished me off. Tell me, son, do you know what happened to my body?" I shook my head. My father simply shrugged. "I can only hope they burned me like they should. To lie in the cold ground… Particularly so far away from home. But I'm here now, in Sovngarde, with my brothers. That is all that matters now."

"Mother missed you. As did I. I still do."

He nodded. "I know. I know. But…"

"I understand, father. You don't have to explain."

"When the Emperor calls for his finest warriors, then every Nord must answer the call."

"Why did you choose to fight?" It was a question I'd always wanted to ask.

He appeared thoughtful for a moment before he had the right words. "We fight for the trinity, son."

I arched an eyebrow, never hearing that term before. "Trinity? What do you mean?"

"We fight for the three most important things to a Nord, and to an Imperial soldier. Skyrim, the Empire and the Emperor. All three are indivisible from each other. Skyrim is the Empire. The Empire is Skyrim. And all of Skyrim serves the Emperor and each Nord does it gladly."

"So the civil war?"

My father scoffed, visibly angered for a moment. "I know of Ulfric, not personally, but I know of him. He is a usurper and will be no more than a false King if he triumphs. He always had ideas above his station and his potential victory will do nothing but lead to the domination of mer across Tamriel. A strong, unified, united Empire, with Cyrodil at its heart but Skyrim as it's sword and shield, is the only thing to stop the elven hordes."

"But I thought…"

"You are your own man, my son. And you make your own decisions. But think of the impact your lone decision could make. Think of who you are now, what you are capable of and what you are still capable of going forward. Men and women will flock to you as the Dragonborn. They will listen and they will follow." I simply nodded. "Remember that your father fought and died for the Empire. Remember that you mother was the blood of the Empire and is now buried in its soil. Can you honestly turn your back on that?"

I scratched my beard as I thought. "You died fighting for the Empire. But look what happened when it was all over."

"It was necessary, my son. I understand the anger and bitterness, not felt only by those in Skyrim, but don't forget our brothers, for they still are, who fought the elves to a standstill in Hammerfell. They continued to fight and the Empire let them go. But there were reasons why. Valid reasons. Good reasons. They secured Skyrim and the Empire against the elven hordes. But never forget. The Empire is strong. It will rebuild. And it will fight once again."

"You are aware of who I wanted to support?"

"I am. But I am also aware of the conflict now in your heart and mind. Am I incorrect?"

"You are not."

"What do you believe now?"

"I'm not sure I want to be involved at all. But I think my hand may be forced."

"By who?"

I took a deep breath as I knew what I had to admit. "Ulfric has designs on taking Whiterun. I am sure of it. And I believe once this is over, he will make his play. He will attack my home."

"You must do what you think is right in the end, son. There is nothing more important to a Nord than his home. Protect that. Protect your friends. Protect the innocent. You are Dragonborn, destined to overcome Alduin but you will return to Skyrim and lead its people."

I raised eyebrows at that. "I've never heard that part of the prophecy."

"It's only what I believe of my son. I believe you are destined for ever greater things. Not to say saving the entire world won't be a great feat in itself."

"How am I of the dragon blood? Were we… I mean, I know of the Septim bloodline…"

My father laughed for a moment. "I was wondering if you would ask. You wonder if we are, somehow, related to the Septims themselves?" I nodded. He shrugged. "Honestly, I have no idea. I simply know as much as everyone else. Uriel Septim was murdered along with his three sons. His bastard son, Martin Septim, sacrificed himself when he defeated Mehrunes Dagon. Do you know I saw his statue at the Temple of the One? A magnificent spectacle."

"So are we related?"

"I don't think so. I believe you were given the gift simply because the gods believed you were worthy."

"I keep telling him that he's a good man," Lydia stated from the other side of the table.

"You have proven yourself at my son's side, Lydia of Whiterun."

"Thank you, sir."

He turned back to me. "And you are Harbinger of the Companions as well. A noble order."

"I'm glad to have joined them."

"Ragnar will lead the Companions to further glories in the name of Ysgramor," Kodlak proclaimed from alongside Lydia. There were cheers from further down the table, I assume they may have been Companions once themselves.

"May I ask one final question, father?"

"Of course."

"I have longed to meet you in Sovngarde upon my death. Now that I'm here, knowing that I must return after I have defeated Alduin, I was hoping that father and son could fight side by side as we defeat Alduin and rid Tamriel and Sovngarde of his menace."

My father beamed at the request. "Nothing would make me prouder." Then he turned serious. "But I would speak to Ysgramor and others about recruiting more people. Three will not be enough to end Alduin."

I turned to Lydia. "Will you be okay to wait here while I do some recruiting?"

"No problem, my thane."

I approached Ysgramor and asked if he could introduce to me those he deemed worthy and capable of joining me in battle against Alduin. I wasn't surprised as he led me down the long hall, past tables full of warriors enjoying tankards of mead and numerous plates of food, to see that the three waiting for me were those I had seen battle Alduin at the top of the mountain when I had used the Scroll. Ysgramor gestured as he introduced the three.

"Gormlaith the fearless, glad-hearted in battle."

"Dragonborn," she stated.

"Hakon the valiant, heavy-handed warrior."

"Lead me into battle, Dragonborn, and Alduin shall once again taste my steel."

"And, finally, Felldir the Old, far-seeing and grim."

"I answer the call of the Dragonborn."

I nodded to each of them. "I saw your battle with Alduin through the Scroll. Your bravery knows no bounds."

"It is unfortunate we could not send him to the end of time," Hakon stated, "But he was always going to return one day. Now it is time to put an end to this, once and for all."

"Alduin's doom is now ours to seal. Just speak the word and with high hearts we'll hasten forth to smite the worm wherever he lurks," Gormlaith stated.

"Hold, comrades. Let us counsel take before battle is blindly joined," Felldir stated, leading to nods of agreement from the other three, "Alduin's mist is more than a snare. Its shadowy gloom is his shield and cloak."

"Felldir speaks wisdom," Hakon continued, "The World-Eater, coward, fears you, Dragonborn."

"What do you suggest?" I asked the three.

"We must drive away his mist, Shouting together, and then unsheathe our blades in desperate battle with our black-winged foe."

"Will Dragonrend work here?" I asked.

"Aye. Draw Alduin to the ground and we shall fall upon him, bloodying our blades before you take his soul," Felldir replied.

"Alduin is invulnerable while in the air," Gormlaith added, "He must be brought to the ground before we can attack. Doubt not that he will try anything to remain in the air. Expect him to use the same tactics he used against us, those you saw in the Scroll."

"Are you ready, Dragonborn?" Felldir asked.

"It's now or never. He must be defeated otherwise all this ends."

I led the three warriors of ancient times past the long rows of tables, now growing quiet as we passed. There was no cheering or hollering as we passed. It was almost as if a solemn silence had overtaken the hall. My father and Lydia were waiting near the door upon which we had entered earlier, Ysgramor and Kodlak waiting to the side.

"Will you be joining us, Kodlak?"

He shook his head. "Not this time, Ragnar. My battles are still to come."

"The ravaging of the Hunting Grounds?"

"We will do what we can for now. But I assure you, once you return to Sovngarde in many years' time, we will fight side by side and rescue all the lost souls. Our very honour demands that we rescue all the lost Companions."

"Indeed it does," Ysgramor added, nodding at Kodlak's words, "But for now, Dragonborn, I can only wish you good luck," he stated, holding out an arm, "We will watch and wait for your inevitable victory against the Worm. We will then toast your name as you return to Tamriel. I believe you have a long life ahead of you yet."

I couldn't help the smile. "Good to know."

I joined my father and Lydia, both appearing eager to join battle. With a last glance across the hall, the warriors lining the tables all raised their tankard in salute. I unsheathed my sword and raised it in reply. Once again, there was no shouting or hollering. Then I turned to my five colleagues and stated "We should go."

Once assembled outside, we crossed the bridge, which I now noticed wasn't a dragon. I asked my father and he stated it was the skeletal remains of a whale. 'Strange, would have assumed they would have used dragon bones, considering how inextricably linked our history is to theirs.' Tsun was still in place on the opposite side of the bridge, gesturing for me to stop once we'd all crossed.

"The eyes of Shor are upon you this day, Dragonborn. Defeat Alduin, and destroy his soul-snare."

We gathered only a dozen or so paces from the bridge as my father stated that, once the mist was cleared, there was an open expanse of level ground upon which we could attack Alduin. We took one last moment to ensure our armour was in place, our shields securely attached and our weapons were readied.

"Ready?" I asked.

"We're ready, Dragonborn," the three warriors of old replied.

"I'm ready, son."

"Ready, my thane."

I Shouted to clear the mist, the three warriors of old doing the same. The mist slowly cleared away to reveal and idyllic landscape, all the colours of the rainbow, grass greener than I'd ever seen, the clearest water as the only sound I could hear after our Shouts was that of a nearby babbling brook. 'Gods, I could happily live out eternity here once life on Tamriel is over.' But there was no sign of Alduin. I had thought he would meet our Shouts by flying towards us but instead all I heard was a Shouted reply in the distance.

The mist quickly reformed.

"Damn!"

"We can shatter his power if we Shout together!" Felldir exclaimed.

"On the count of three," I called.

At three, we Shouted as one, the mist immediately clearing this time. The sound must have been deafening though my father and Lydia didn't appear affected.

"Come on, Alduin, come face us!" I called.

I searched the sky for any sign of our foe but he did not show his face. Instead, there was another Shout in the distance, the mist reforming a second time. I couldn't help the groan. I heard the warriors of old do the same thing, Lydia muttering under her breath behind us.

"Does his strength have no end?" Hakon wondered, "Is our struggle in vain?"

"Stand fast!" Gormlaith called, "His strength is failing! Once more, and his might will be broken!"

She was right. Though the mist had reformed, it had been slower and did not appear to be a thick. More of the ground in front of us had not been covered. The sky above was now clear of mist.

"Again, Dragonborn, and we break his grim hold over Shor's realm, and redeem it for eternity!" Felldir cried.

"Once more. On three!" I exclaimed, hoping Gormlaith and Felldir were right.

We Shouted again and this time the mist near and wide disappeared, though it still hung over the mountains in the distance. But it was clear where it was needed and it was obvious to us all that Alduin now had to respond to our challenge. I looked up, searching the sky for any sign of Alduin, readying myself to Shout and bring him to the ground.

Instead, fiery rocks started to rain down from the sky, just like last time, when we had fought at the Throat of the World. We scattered to avoid being hit. I had one or two close shaves, feeling the heat of the burning rock as they smashed into the ground nearby. I glanced around, ensuring my companions were also okay.

Then I heard another roar and Alduin appeared over the mountain ahead. He looked different to the dragon we had fought at the Throat of the World. Here, in Sovngarde, he was all black. Sinister. Evil personified. I saw his eyes as the flew overhead and noticed they were red. As he tried to fly overhead again, I Shouted and enveloped him in the magic that was Dragonrend, forcing him to the ground. He said something in his own tongue that I did not understand, only understanding the word 'Dovahkiin'.

All six of us fell upon him once he was on the ground. But Alduin was not going to go down without a fight. Fiery rocks continued to pour from the sky while he added his own fire breath, dousing one of the warriors of old in flames. It was clear Alduin had recovered his strength, if not more, as I failed to draw blood with my first swipe. He was also quicker, barely escaping his teeth tearing my arm off while his feet and tail continued to move, swinging wilding and forcing all of us back.

Before any of us had managed to draw blood, Alduin quickly took off and was out of sight before I could even contemplate Shouting him down.

"He's strong!"

"Bring him back down once he flies back."

"Is everyone okay?" I asked.

"There's one advantage to fighting here, Dragonborn. We can't die."

"But I can!" Lydia exclaimed.

"No one but Alduin dies this day!" I yelled, "Here he comes!" I added, pointing with my sword.

He flew in low over the mountains, his eyes clearly fixed on me and me alone. I knew why. Kill me and the prophecy would likely come true. I waited until he was so close I knew he was going to attack and then I Shouted once again. He crashed to the ground in front of us and I followed up Dragonrend with a Shout of fire. That caused him to stagger, hearing the fire sizzle across his body. I yelled a war cry and charged forward again, straight for his head as my companions attacked him anywhere they could. This time we started to draw blood, not the great torrents I wanted, but if it was going to be death by a thousand cuts, then I'd gladly continue.

"For Skyrim!" one of my companions called.

"For Shor!" cried another.

Alduin continued to speak in his own tongue. I had no doubt he was promising my own death, the deaths of my companions, the death of everything. But he was overconfident. He was one dragon against six warriors. And while he was invincible on Nirn, I knew he was vulnerable in Sovngarde. I knew we were going to kill him and end the prophecy, once and for all.

Alduin continued to try and bite one of us while his tail swooped in great arcs. I saw one of the warriors have his legs taken out. Alduin then spun and another swipe of his tail brought down my father. I shouldn't have done it, but I cried out and ran towards him. It was a mistake turning my back and I felt a smack in my back, causing me to stagger and almost lose my balance, glancing to see I had also been hit by his tail.

"Don't worry about me, son. Kill the dragon!" my father called as he struggled to his feet, "I cannot die here. I'm already dead!"

"I can still feast on your souls. All of them," Alduin finally stated in my own language as he unleashed another sheet of flame, causing us to back off again, watching Lydia lie flat on the ground as the flames missed her by centimetres.

"The only soul feast will be yours," I replied. I know, not the greatest quote to be repeated by the bards in a half-dozen generations time, but it was the best I could think of at the time. I was more worried about just killing him rather than replying with a witty retort.

Alduin attempted to take off again but this time I didn't give him the chance. He'd barely flapped his wings half a dozen times before I Shouted, effectively dragging him back to the ground. As soon as he landed, five of us attacked immediately, only my father taking a moment to gather himself before he took charged forth again.

Though Alduin continued to try and defend himself, each swing or stab of our swords continued to draw blood until his dark red blood was running profusely across his body, creating red rivers against his black skin. There was little doubt that his strength was ebbing away and I pressed home our advantage, moving around to ensure my eyes met his. I wanted to get the killing blow.

I smashed my shield into his face as he looked ready to douse me in fire again. He growled and snorted, meeting my eyes again. Though I saw no fear in them, I knew he didn't fear me, I saw concern. 'Fool. He should be afraid. He is about to die.'

"You are persistent, Dovahkiin. Pruzah ol aar. A fine slave you would have made."

"We are slaves no more. Man will never again bow down to you or your kind. And all your allies have turned against you."

"They will pay for their insolence, as will you."

"No. Your time is at an end, Alduin. But, this time, you will not return."

He again attempted to Shout at me, stepped back and Shouting at the same time, meeting his fire with my ice breath. For a few brief moments, it was a case of the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object before the ice triumphed, the fire turning into steam and Alduin's jaw and mouth was briefly encased in ice, though he soon managed to break it apart.

Alduin then stood up on his hind legs and Shouted again, causing most my companions to go flying such was the force of his shout. I only had to step back as he flapped his wings at the same time, the fire he Shouted next and the wind from his wings burning or blinding. I simply got down on my knee and lifted my shield to block the worst of it though I still felt warm from the fire, seeing the ground around us now burning fiercely as, my focus so wrapped on Alduin, that the fiery rocks from the sky were still falling, though only intermittently.

"Kill him, son! Kill him and end this, once and for all!"

Alduin couldn't stay on his hind legs forever and he soon got back down on all four. I looked over his body and could see the blood now pouring from his wounds. His Shouts were continuing to lose their strength. I could just… sense his end was near.

And it was finally time to end all this.

As soon as his front legs were back on the ground and his face in the right position, I slammed it with my shield once again. He was weakened as I actually made the dragon stagger, only slightly, but it was enough to strike with renewed confidence, slamming my shield forward again. As he turned his head away for the second hit, I swivelled forward, and when his eye met mine, I saw it go wide as I drove my sword into his throat, immediately twisting the blade to open the wound before I drove it in even further, my hand almost disappearing through the scales of his body.

He shook his head back and forth, trying to cause me to lose my balance. Repositioning my left arm, I somehow managed to slam my shield into him again, though it lacked the usual power, though it gave me enough time to withdraw my sword.

"Give me your foot!" I heard a voice behind me say, seeing my father behind me on a knee, his hands cupped together. I did as he requested and I found myself sitting on Alduin a second later. I unclasped my shield and threw it towards my father, who caught it and too a few steps back. I clasped the hilt of the sword in both hands and aimed.

"Zu'u Alduin!"

"I am Ragnar of Whiterun, the Last Dragonborn. Dir ko maar, Alduin."

And, with those last words, I drove my sword deep into his head.

"Move!" I heard Lydia yell.

I fell to the ground with a thud as Alduin started to writhe in agony. His black body, with red rivers of blood flowing freely, started to almost break apart. It wasn't like other dragons we had seen disappeared. The sight we gazed upon was… it was almost as if evil itself was breaking apart.

"Zu'u unslaad! Zu'u nis oblaan!"

"What did he say?" my father asked.

"I am eternal! I cannot end!" I replied quietly.

"You understand?" Lydia asked. I simply nodded. I don't know how or when I had learned it but I now knew their language.

We watched in silence as Alduin continued to thrash upon the ground, his body continuing to burn and fall apart. His body then simply broke apart completely, for want of a better description, as his scales blew away and he screamed towards the sky. It was bone-chilling… The one concern is that I did not appear to absorb his soul, watching as it simply disappeared towards the sky above us. Alduin continued to dissolve, now little more than a blackened skeleton, continuing to slowly break apart, his cries echoing across the entirety of Sovngarde. And then, with one final, last explosion, Alduin simply… ceased to be.

I simply sheathed my sword and took a deep breath. It was over.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned towards my father. We embraced for a moment, feeling a pat on the back. "You did it, son." I only nodded, feeling the exhaustion of it all.

And then I heard the sound. It was one of triumph and glory, looking up and across the bridge to see a crowd of warriors, swords and axes raised into the air, as they shouted my name. Or names, depending on who it was. The three warriors of old approached and greeted me differently, an arm thumped across their chest, a bow of the head before they took a knee.

"We serve you, Dragonborn," the three stated as once. They got to their feet and we embraced as warriors. With a last nod of respect shared, the three crossed the bridge back to the Hall of Valour, as Tsun approached.

"That was a mighty deed! The doom of Alduin encompassed at last, and cleansed is Sovngarde of his evil snare. They will sing of this battle in Shor's hall forever. But your fate lies elsewhere. When you have completed your count of days, I may welcome you again, with glad friendship, and bid you join the blessed feasting."

Tsun was right, as I looked back to where Alduin had disappeared. The mist had cleared entirely and the sky was clear. And all around us were warriors once lost, now safe as they approached in number towards the bridge. I looked around and Sovngarde was indeed a paradise. I felt a hand on my shoulder again, knowing it was my father. I'll admit I had to wipe my eye, knowing I would not see this again until after my final day. But knowing I would see it again was enough for now.

I turned back for a moment as the crowd, having increased, continued to cheer. I figured there would be a large gathering tonight and numerous drinks would be consumed, endless songs sung and figured my name my feature in many of them. I simply unsheathed my sword and raised it high, roaring back towards them. Their own roars increased in noise again.

"When you are ready to re-join the living, just bid me so, and I will send you back," Tsun stated.

"Can I just have one last moment with my father?"

"Of course."

Lydia gave me a quick hug and said she would wait with Tsun, the pair giving me space to enjoy these last few moments with my father, at least until I returned in a few decades' time. We walked side by side to a nearby stream. I'd never seen water so clear, unable to prevent the temptation of having a drink. I was parched after the battle, taking a moment to wash my hands and splash water into my face, my father doing the same thing.

"You've made me proud, son." I nodded, unsure and unable to say anything. "And you'll continue to make me proud."

"I'll remember what you told me."

"I would always say do what you think is right. But sometimes the hardest choices are also the right ones."

"One question I have to ask. Where is mother?"

I looked at him and he simply smiled. "She would be in another realm, safe in the knowledge that I would be here. I have wondered where she may have but have not asked." He put a hand over his heart. "But I carry her here. And, for now, that is enough. Perhaps one day the gods will allow me to see her once again. But they have already allowed me to see my son. I cannot thank them enough."

We walked back towards where Tsun and Lydia were waiting by the bridge leading towards the Hall of Valour. My father and I embraced a final time before he simply looked into my eyes, smiled, then crossed his arm across his chest and bowed. Neither of us said goodbye, because it wasn't. I would return one day and we would be reunited again. He joined the crowd across the bridge, noticing he stood next to Kodlak. I simply raised a hand in farewell before I turned back to Tsun.

"I'm ready to go home."

He nodded. "Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord. A Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need. Nahl...Daal...Vus!"

"Thank you." The gods thank you, Dragonborn, for this realm and yours is now safe. Return home and bask in your victory. Live your life with honour, fight with courage but enjoy your time on Tamriel until you are returned here once again. Rest assured, that will be many years from now."

We clasped hand to forearm as usual before he asked that I take a couple of steps back. Lydia stood beside me and she grabbed my hands as we watched Tsun take a step back himself. He then took a deep breath and Shouted at us.

Everything turned a bright white and I felt light as a feather for a moment as I felt like I was falling, though I knew it was not to my death as I was sure of two things.

I was alive.

And I was victorious.