Capítulo 8: Dragon and Wolf
Mirmulnir was one of the weakest Dragons. He was smaller, not as physically gifted as the rest, and he couldn't fully utilize his Thu'um. But that didn't matter to him, for he was still above all the mortals. He was a Dragon, after all. As long as their oldest kin and leader Alduin guided them, Dragons will always be at the top of the food chain. There was no other way around it. Their leader had the power to resurrect any of their kin that had been slain by mortals, and they were practically immortal.
That was until their father, Akatosh, meddled in their affairs and gave birth to their half-kin, the Dovahkiin. But even then, the Dragons weren't scared. The Dovahkiin was only one while they were many. The first Dovahkiin, Miraak, was an example of that. The mortal was a priest that used to serve them before he attempted to enslave and slaughter the Dragons. That attempt was an utter failure, and Miraak is no longer of this plane.
While the first Dovahkiin was not successful, a group of Nordic heroes did what he couldn't. They were strong for mortals, far stronger than the rest, the Dragons had to admit that. It was not an easy task to go against their oldest kin and leader, yet they did. And despite them not being Dovahkiin, their Thu'um was mighty, they even created their own Thu'um, one which even the Dragons didn't know about. But even then, they never stood a chance against Alduin. Nirn was the realm of the oldest, and their leader was like a Daedric Prince in his own world, simply unstoppable.
The mortals realized that stopping Alduin from his destiny was impossible, for fate was guiding their oldest kin. The mortals, however, were creatures that didn't give up easily, they used an object, which even the divine beings didn't fully understand its power, an Elder Scroll. Alduin was banished, lost in time and space. Whether their oldest was sent to the past or the future, no one knew.
A majority of the Dragons were enraged. They waged war against the mortals, but without their leader, they lost their immortality. And although the Dragons were many, mortals were creatures that spread like fire. Without their leader guiding them, they were nearly annihilated. Only the weakest of the Dragons, the ones that went into hiding after their oldest was banished, survived. Mirmulnir was one of them.
Mirmulnir hid on mountains and inside caves that mortals couldn't reach. He bid his time and fed on any wildlife he encountered. The Dragon didn't know whether Alduin was sent to the past or the future, but he could wait, age was a foreign concept to his kin. Thousands of years spent in hibernation, Mirmulnir was finally awoken from his slumber. Majestic black scales, eyes filled with wisdom and power, and physically gifted like no other Dragon. In front of him stood their oldest. Alduin was banged up, but Mirmulnir didn't care, as he was trembling with joy, an emotion that Dragons didn't experience.
Their oldest slumped down in exhaustion. No words were shared between them, but Mirmulnir knew what needs to be done. He will protect his leader, no matter the cost. He would give his life if he had to, for he knew that with Alduin back, the Dragons were immortal once again, and Nirn will face their wrath.
Time passed, and Alduin recovered, but that was to be expected. Nothing can put down their oldest. From their leader, Mirmulnir learned that Alduin had appeared in Skyrim right after the fight with the mortals. But the return of the Dragon had been expected from Paarthurnax, the Traitor. Alduin fought tooth and nail with the treacherous Dragon, but Paarthurnax had grown strong. In the end, Alduin fled to a place he had sensed the weak aura of his kin. The presence was similar to a newly born Dragon, but the only thing their oldest encountered was mortals. Angered, Alduin destroyed them all before sensing Mirmulnir and flying to his cave.
Now that Alduin had recovered, it was time to restore the Dragons to their glory. Mirmulnir was given the privilege of being their leader's first messenger, and he will show the mortals why Dragons were far above them. For the first time in thousands of years, Mirmulnir spread his wings and soared the skies. The time of Dragons has returned.
A stone structure made by mortals was his first destination. Oh, how much fun he had playing with the weak creatures. There was another settlement of mortals nearby, but he will wait and take his time. He will enjoy spreading terror and show them their place before destroying them as well. For he was the Dragon known as Marcus, the messenger of Alduin.
With a jolt, Marcus woke up. 'What in the hell?' He thought and massaged his temples as more of his memories flooded his mind.
"Ugh." Marcus let out a groan as he watched as he killed himself? 'No, that's not possible, I killed Mirmulnir, but I'm Mirmulnir. Ugh! Okay, let's think this through. The last thing I remember is stabbing myself in the head. No, no, I stabbed the Dragon, Mirmulnir, not myself. Then I absorbed my, no, his soul, and with that his memories. That means that I'm Mirmulnir. No, no, I'm Marcus, but with Mirmulnir's memories. Ugh, this shit is so confusing.'
"Marcus?" Aela voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked towards the huntress sitting next to him with a worried look on her face. He quickly scanned her. Aela's hair was a mess, and she looked a bit banged up, but she was fine, she wasn't injured. Relief washed over him, knowing that she wasn't hurt, but those thoughts were interrupted by the Dragon within him. 'Take her, take her! Make her yours!'
"Ugh." Marcus let out another groan and cupped his head. 'What is wrong with me?' He couldn't deny that he liked Aela, but he would never try to force himself on her. She was his closest and dearest friend, but the Dragon didn't agree. 'Take her! No one else can have her!'
"Marcus?" Aela called his name once more with concern in her voice. Something was wrong with him, she was clearly able to see that. Marcus was trying to subdue the thoughts of the Dragon, but they were coming stronger and stronger. 'Take her! Make her your mate. Mark her!'
"Shut up." Marcus muttered, and Aela was taken back, but she realized he wasn't speaking to her. "Please leave me alone. I don't want to hurt you." He told her with a pleading voice. He wasn't sure if he can control himself if she stayed there any longer.
"You can't hurt me." Aela said, raised her hand, and caressed his face. That was the last straw, he couldn't resist anymore. Marcus caught her by surprise when he jumped from his bed and pushed her down, pinning her to the ground. His breathing was heavy, and he was staring at her with a hungry look in his eyes. 'You want her, so take her! She is yours! No else can have her!'
"I can't stop myself. I want you." Marcus was barely restraining himself from doing something that he might end up regretting. He certainly didn't expect her next move. With her incredible strength, she pushed him up and switched their position, now she was pinning him to the ground.
"You want me?" Aela asked, her face coming dangerously close to his. Staring at her grey eyes and pale lips, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her. And so he did. His body moving on his own, he smacked his lips against hers, and she didn't resist. She took his initiative and responded on her own.
Aela had never kissed a man before and didn't know what to expect. It was a lot more pleasant than she would have imagined, and she liked it, she enjoyed it a lot. Maybe it was because it was with Marcus, but she didn't plan on finding out if that was the case. She broke the kiss and stared at him with grey eyes almost as hungry as his piercing blue ones. "So take me then."
With strength, he didn't even know he had, Marcus broke her iron grip, picked her up, and threw her on the bed. 'Yes! She is yours! Mark her! No else can have her!'
At that moment, the fate of the poor bed was sealed. To be destroyed while a Wolf and a Dragon battled on top of it. Said fight alerted the guards and maids of Dragonsreach, but not a single one of them was allowed to check what's happening in the room. A hulking Nord wearing only pants and carrying a war hammer over his shoulders stood guard in front of the door. Besides him, propped to the wall was another war hammer similar to the one on his shoulders. The Nord's ferocious glare scared all of the servants of the castle, and none dared to provoke him.
After their battle finished, the two fighters stayed in the bed, staring at each other, and enjoying the warmth and presence of the other. Aela's naked body laid on top of him, and he had his hands wrapped around her. Marcus couldn't describe how beautiful the huntress was in his eyes. He wanted to stay there with her for days, months, or even years, but having the memories of Mirmulnir made him realize that the Dragon crisis is far from over. It had just begun. He gently kissed Aela. Her soft lips making his body shiver with joy and rejuvenating him.
"Let's get dressed. I need to speak with the Jarl." Marcus said with a grave voice. He needed to inform Balgruuf that Mirmulnir was one of many Dragons to come. The way she smiled at him made him want to start another battle with her on top of their broken battlefield, but he stopped himself.
After exiting the guest room, they were met with the giant of a Nord, Norrmir. The hulking man pointed at Marcus. "You Dragonborn. You avenge Morrmir. Norrmir pay you back. Norrmir serve you."
'Yes! All mortals should bow before you! They are nothing but mere servants.' Marcus shook his head from his Dragon thoughts. He will have to find a way to deal with that, but first, he had to deal with the Nord in front of him.
"You don't need to serve me. I only did what I was meant to. The Dragon had to be killed." Marcus said, but Norrmir was having none of that. "No! Norrmir failed kill Dragon. Dragonborn killed Dragon. Norrmir owe Morrmir life to Dragonborn. Norrmir serve Dragonborn."
'The mortal knows! He understands you are far above him!' Marcus let out a sigh. "Do you not have a family? A place to return? Why do you want to serve me?"
"Norrmir have no family left. Clan Trollbane dead. Norrmir last Trollbane. Trollbane under Dragonborn now." Norrmir stared at Marcus with conviction. The hulking Nord had already made up his simple mind. He thought for a moment before an idea popped in his mind.
"How about this. Why don't you join my new family, the Companions?" Marcus asked, and Aela perked up at how he called them his new family. He didn't think the Companions would reject the Nord. He was simple-minded, but he was of the strongest people Marcus had seen. Judging by how he was one of the last three to fight Mirmulnir till the end, and by how he wielded the heavy war hammer as if its a toy.
Norrmir stood there for a moment. The clogs in his brain, slowly but surely, moving around. "Norrmir listen to Dragonborn. Norrmir join Dragonborn family." The Nord then pointed at the war hammer propped on the wall. "Morrmir Banhammer now Dragoborn Banhammer."
'What a great servant! Already offering gifts to his master!' Marcus looked at the war hammer but shook his head. The weapon was good, but it wasn't something that he could use. It didn't fit his style. "Why don't you take Morrmir's Banhammer?"
It took a moment before Norrmir responded. "That Dragonborn Banhammer. Norrmir have own Banhammer."
"I can't wield the Banhammer as you do. Why don't you use them both?" Marcus was almost certain that the Nord could dual-wield the two two-handed weapons at once.
After another set of heavy thinking, Norrmir said. "Norrmir have two Banhammer!"
"Good!" Marcus exclaimed, happy that he dealt with this. "Now, let's go find the Jarl. I need to urgently speak to him."
Since Marcus had no idea where he was in Dragonsreach, Aela led him to the hall, with Norrmir following behind them like a trusty bodyguard. The moment Balgruuf spotted them, he smiled wildly. "Good to see you are finally awake, Thane Marcus Nord of Whiterun." The look on Marcus's face made the Jarl burst out laughing.
"Why am I a Thane? And what does the title mean?" Marcus asked, causing the Jarl to laugh even harder. "Thane is an honorary title presented to those of importance to the city or for their heroic deeds. I don't need to explain why you have been bestowed the title after the events of yesterday, right?"
'Thane? Thane? You should be the ruler of this city, not a simple Thane!' Marcus shook his head, he will deal with this later, but he had to inform the Jarl of the Dragons.
"Jarl Balgruuf." Marcus said with a serious tone. "The Dragon that we killed yesterday was not the one from Helgen." Balgruuf's eyes flicked with fear as he understood where Marcus was going. "Mirmulnir was a Dragon that had been hiding for thousands of years, and he was only one of many more that would soon make their appearance."
"Divines bless us. This..." Balgruuf brought a hand to his eyes. There wasn't just one Dragon, but a lot of them? This was a nightmare. He removed his hand and looked at Marcus. This was a tribulation that Skyrim will have to face, but at least they knew that there is a Dragonborn that will lead the way. A Dragonborn that Balgruuf could trust would do whatever it takes to help them.
"I... I will have to inform Irileth and the guards to be on the lookout. I also have to send a message to the other holds." Balgruuf muttered under his breath. "Marcus, thank you for this information. If you hadn't informed us..." The Jarl let out a sigh. "This should have been a day of celebration, but it seems fate had other plans."
"I will have to go and start writing my messages, but before that, I will let you know that you have also been awarded a house in Whiterun, a housecarl, and a weapon from my treasury." Balgruuf said.
'Yes! Rewards! Demand for more, this is not enough!' Marcus was taken back by this. That was a lot more generous than expected. Before he could protest, Balgruuf asked a guard next to him to call Lydia and turned to Marcus. "Lydia has been assigned as your housecarl. You have already been on a task with her, so I don't need to introduce you to her. She will show you the treasury, so you can pick a weapon, and lead you to your new house, Breezehome. Again, I, Balgruuf the Greater, Jarl of Whiterun, thank you, Marcus Nord, for everything you have done for the city and its people." With shaky steps, Balgruuf left the hall with his guards following him.
In a moment, Lydia entered the hall and got on her knee in front of Marcus. "The Jarl has appointed me to be your housecarl. It's an honor to serve you, my Thane."
'Yes! She knows her place she is nothing but a lowly servant! But that's not enough! You need more servants! Demand them!' His Dragon thoughts were more than annoying him, and he had to find a way to deal with them soon.
"Lydia, you don't have to bow to me. Please, stand up." Marcus told her.
"As you wish, my Thane. I'm yours to command." Lydia replied.
'A good servant! She will serve you well!' With a bit of annoyance, Marcus said. "Fine then. I command you to treat me in the same manner you did on our task."
With a smirk, she asked. "So, you want me to punch you in the face and then kiss you?"
Aela, who had been quiet until now, protectively stepped in front of him and growled. Marcus was her mate! His heart rate sped up from her actions. Gently, he pulled Aela and hugged her from behind. "It's okay. She was just joking."
Aela turned around and kissed him deeply before looking back at Lydia. Her message was clear. 'He is mine!' Lydia chuckled softly at that. She was more interested in the huntress than Marcus, but she now knew that Aela was off-limits.
"My Thane, should I lead you to the treasury to pick a weapon?" Lydia asked, but Marcus shook his head. Right now, he didn't care about getting another weapon. "We can deal with that later. Why don't you lead me to my house?" He couldn't believe that he actually had his own house, his own place to call home. 'You need a castle, not a house! No, two castles! One is not enough!'
"As you wish, my Thane." Lydia replied and led the way. While walking on the streets of Whiterun, all the citizens stopped what they were doing and stared at him. Due to him taking 4th place in the Olympic Archery, he was somewhat used to getting the attention of others, but this was something else. The people of Whiterun weren't staring at him with only admiration, they were staring at him with reverence. That unnerved him, and he urged Lydia to walk a bit faster.
They reached Breezehome, which was situated on the road between the city gates and the market. The house was a simple two-story building made of wood. Lydia took a key and handed it to Marcus before taking another one and unlocking the door. "I want one as well." Aela said.
'How dare she demand this! She is nothing but your mate! Punish her! Show her, her place!' Marcus took a deep breath and asked his housecarl. "Lydia, can you get another key for Aela?"
"As you wish, my Thane. I will order one more key to be made." Lydia replied. 'This one knows how to act! Make her yours as well!'
"Show us around the house first, and you can deal with that later." Marcus said.
"Yes, my..." He interrupted her before she can reply. "And Lydia, stop calling me my Thane, call me by my name."
"As you wish... Marcus." Ludia said and showed them around the Breezehome. The house was fully furnished, a fireplace with a kitchen/dining room behind it was the first thing that greeted them. On the second floor, there was a master bedroom with a double bed for Marcus and a smaller bedroom with a single bed for Lydia. She had explained that as his housecarl, her duty is to protect him and everything he owns with her life, so she will live with him from now on.
Marcus was also surprised to find the bow Aela gifted him in the house, including everything else that he owned. Apparently, the Jarl had sent guards to retrieve anything they can from the watchtower, and they had found his bow. One of them had recognized it, and Lydia had brought it to his house.
After their little tour of Breezehome, Lydia left to get a key for Aela, while the other three made their way to Jorrvaskr. Marcus contemplated getting a cloak to hide his face. The way people looked at him just didn't sit well with him.
The moment they stepped foot inside Jorrvaskr, the Companions erupted into cheers. Unlike the rest of the citizens of Whiterun, they didn't have the same looks of reverence and admiration, rather they looked happy and proud of him. 'They really are like family, huh?' The younger Companions grouped around him, pestering him questions about the fight with Dragon. Thankfully, Vilkas was there to save the day.
"Give our Dragonborn some space. Aela and Marcus probably hadn't eaten lunch yet. Come, sit next to me." Marcus quickly sat next to him while the rest pouted.
"And who is this?" Vilkas asked while looking at the hulking Nord.
"That's Norrmir." Skjor was the one to answer. "He fought alongside us. A good and honorable fighter." Coming from the older Companion, one of the best warriors in Skyrim, that was big praise for someone else.
"Norrmir has no place to stay, and I was wondering if he could join the Companions?" Marcus asked. The big guy was simple-minded, but he didn't seem like a bad person.
"I can vouch for him. Norrmir fought till the end without a second thought." Skjor said.
"In that case, I don't see a problem. We can test him out. Any volunteers for that?" Vilkas asked, and his brother Farkas smirked. "I'll give the big guy a shot. He seems to be in my category."
"What do you think, Norrmir? Up for a spar with Farkas?" Marcus asked him.
"Norrmir listen Dragonborn! Norrmir fight!" The hulking Nord exclaimed, banging the two Banhammers in excitement.
"Follow me, big guy. Let's see what you are made of." Farkas led Norrmir to the training grounds with the younger Companions following them. Farkas was a known powerhouse, and they wanted to see how good the big Nord was.
That left Skjor and Vilkas alone with the new couple. After eating some food and answering a few questions about the fight, Aela stood up. "I'll go gather our stuff and bring them to our house. Give me the key." Marcus handed the key to his home without a question. He trusted her with his life, let alone with a simple key.
"What do you mean by OUR stuff and OUR house?" Skjor asked with fierce eyes. He was already pretty angry by how their two scents were intermixed, and now he was furious.
Aela pointed at Marcus. "My mate." Then pointed at herself. "Our house." Before walking downstairs to pack their stuff.
If looks could kill, Marcus would have died ten times over. "You!" Skjor pointed at him and then at himself. "Me! Outside, right now!"
The spar, or more like beating, that followed was something that Marcus would remember for a long time, a very long time. Since Skjor knew how easily he gulped down potions, he beat him to near death, gave him Health and Stamina potions, and beat him again. That continued on until Aela came to pick her mate and bring him to their new home. No matter how much he didn't want to, Skjor couldn't refuse his little sister figure.
At least Marcus learned something new about himself. He was stronger and faster than a day ago. Earlier he felt as if he was lighter, but he thought it's his mind playing tricks on him, which he realized during his beating... spar with Skjor that wasn't the case. Still, he was both weaker and less skilled than the older Companion. Marcus's entire body ached with pain from the beating, but falling asleep with Aela in his arms made the pain go away.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
nogainjustpain
nogainjustpain Short chapter cause I'm tired.
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