The snow crunches under our feet with each step we take, the winds still surrounding us barely held back by Minthara's shout, leaving an odd almost tunnel like passage as a way forward.
"Quite the sight, no?" I ponder aloud, enjoy the moments when the ice would thin and reveal the view of the whole of Skyrim, and even outside it when opportunity struck.
"Yeah." Minthara mutters absently before catching up to me with long strides, she remains silent for a while longer before finally deciding to ask the question that has been bothering her for a while "Why did you insist that we come here exactly?"
"Beyond negotiating an alliance with another dragon?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Yes, beyond the obvious." Her lips thin.
"Paarthurnax is not just some random dragon." I speak after a moment "He is the second oldest one alive, being Alduin's right hand during his conquests."
She skips a step and holds back her instinctual response "There is obviously more to it than that."
I let out a light chuckle at her accusatory glare "There is indeed" I pat her head faux-condescendingly, messing up her hair in the process, and quickly dodge a punch going for my face.
Embarrassment promptly delivered and amusement gained I ignored her annoyance and went on "I am unsure how or when it happened but at some point he realized what he was perpetuating was an objective evil, and decided to change."
"A bit late for a change of heart." Minthara huffs, irritatedly straightening her hair as she did "Who knows how many people he ended up killing, and all of a sudden he wants to help?"
I turn my head and give her a pointed look at that, not saying anything.
Her haughtiness disappears but a moment later and she looks at me with cautious confusion "What?"
"While you may be part dragon you are still very much so a human." I point out and wait for her to connect the dots.
She frowns "So he has been dealing with the instincts ever since he was born then…" Her mouth snaps shut as the realization strikes her.
"Quite right." I nod with a hint of approval in my eyes, making her look away briefly "Dragons are made to conquer and dominate, for whatever reason." Really Akatosh what was the plan there? "That he managed to overcome his instincts in the first place is a glorious achievement indeed."
"Yeah." She nods a bit awkwardly "It would have been reaaally embarrassing if I said it to his face."
"He'd probably find it amusing if anything." I shrug "As for why we are here it is rather simple." She immediately perks up "Paarthurnax is the one who taught mortals how to use the voice in the first place, he is as wise as he is ancient and without his decision, the world would have probably been a far different place." I cup my chin in thought "Less pleasant at the very least."
"I really should think before I speak, shouldn't I?" She mutters.
"Nah." I wave her off with obvious amusement "If you weren't bumbling around half the time you'd be no fun."
She flips me the bird before suddenly looking around self-consciously "Should we really be bothering him then?" She asks, pretending to hide her sudden shyness at the idea of meeting such a legend "I mean we already have the greybeards, right?"
"You are meeting the old dragon and that is final." I deadpan at her but fail to hide my amusement.
"Reyviiin!" She groans and grabs at my cloak pleadingly "I just talked shit about him a literal moment ago, I can't face him like that!"
"Too bad, too sad." I give her my sunniest smile "We are here already."
"Of course we are." She mutters and her shoulders slump.
"What is this?" I raise an eyebrow as I ascend upon the actual Throat of The World "The Mighty Dragonbane too scared of a bit of talk?"
She glares at me, completely drawn out of her fugue in an instant as her pride grated at the mere idea, and stomps after me. A moment passes as we observe the snowy peak and the obvious word wall dominating the view, the obvious lack of dragon making her look at me with questioning eyes and one already forming on her lips.
And then the wind picks up, the sound of massive wings pushing the air stopping any further conversation as we look up at the magnificent old man himself. Grey scales, the correct number of limbs, and a tattered almost wizened look upon his face and snout Paarthurnax stood at a size that almost rivaled Alduin himself, even if his power and presence were but a mere fragment of the World Eater he still cut an imposing figure, an unforgettable one to the minds of most mortals.
He observes us for a brief moment, letting out a curious "Hmmm…" Before landing before us without any pomp or ceremony, though calling the landing a lazy plop may be a bit more accurate as the mountain shuddered in a minor tremor under his weight.
"Drem Yol Lok" The air shudders as he lowers his head ever so slightly "Greetings Wunduniik. I am the one known as Paarthurnax, what brings you to my strunmah, my mountain?"
I had to do my best to hold myself back from squealing like a fangirl when he spoke.
Minthara gives me a pointed look, telling me to lead our introductions but I just smirk in response, making her glare briefly before she turns back to the patiently waiting dragon "Um… greetings?" She manages to force out and then shakes her head, centering herself "We've come to seek your help in the battle against Alduin, I hear you fought him once before."
He looks at her just long enough for the stare to become uncomfortable, and then speaks "I see…" He hums "It has been a long while, sailing the tides of time without the eldest's presence." His eyes gain a slight glow "It is fitting then, that Akatosh Bormahu would send a Dovahkiin to contest his return."
She holds back a wince, absentmindedly muttering "Even the hermit knows who I am. Great."
A rumble I quickly recognize as a chuckle leaves the old dragon as he obviously hears her speak "I assure you that even without the Greybeards' introduction, your ability to hide from your fellow Dov is non-existent. All of the Dov feel our kin's presence, to hide such would be… shameful."
Her face reddens as she realizes she spoke that aloud "Sorry." She winces.
A wave of warm air washes over us as Paarthurnax lets out an amused exhale "Think nothing of it, I am indeed a hermit and do not find offense with being called such. Now, I would have your name, Dovahkiin."
"Right." She nods "I am Minthara, known to the Nords as Dragonbane but am a Septim in truth."
"One of Hjalti's brood?" Paarthurnax hums "A mighty lineage blessed twice with power, I do wonder what Bormahu is thinking."
"Obviously not much since he unleashed Alduin upon the world." She grouses, this time without a hint of remorse.
"The eldest of my Zeymahi was not always a force of destruction." The old dragon explains simply, not a hint of reproach in his tone "He may have fallen now but in the beginning, he truly was the greatest of us all."
She immediately latches onto his words "So will you help us then? You said it yourself, he may have been great once but now he is a danger to everyone."
"Drem." Paarthurnax interrupts almost chidingly "Patience young one. There are formalities which must be observed, at the first meeting of two of the Dov."
"Of course." She deadpans.
"But" The dragon speaks once more "Before we begin observing them, your companion has yet to introduce himself." He directs an eye in my direction, scrutinizing me briefly before recognition alights within his gaze "Ah." The surprise reaches his voice as well "I have been wondering when you would show your face to me, traveler of the skies."
"I am not surprised you remembered." I smirk and offer a slight if genuinely respectful bow "I am Reyvin Dagoth, known to the Nords as Flame-Tongue, a Lord of the Dunmer and an Archmage of Winterhold."
"I am honored." Paarthurnax inclines his head genuinely "There were words upon the wind of a crafty fahlil striking at Alduin with incredible might. Something tells me you are the elf in question."
"Your intuition is correct." I smile proudly "I slammed his rear with the full might of Magnus' Staff, he may have survived but his dignity certainly didn't."
Minthara palms her face.
Paarthuranx blinks, momentarily stunned by my declaration before the amusement shining in his eyes somehow turns even brighter "Ah, I see. I do believe you mortals would consider the act rather humiliating, especially considering it was a first."
Minthara outright groans now.
I stare at the madlad for a long moment before finally accepting that yes, Paarthurnax himself just made a joke about me taking Alduin's "first time" and was looking at me expectantly. I completely lose it then and laugh my ass off.
"Can we…" Minthara's request is stopped by another tired sigh as she hears me giggle "Can we just" She gives me a pointed stare "Get back to the matter at hand?"
"Indeed Dovahkiin." Paarthurnax hums, though I hear the suppressed amusement in his own voice before he turns serious once more "By long tradition, the eldest speaks first! Hear my Thu'um! Feel it in your bones. Match it, if you are Dovah!"
His head whips to the side, his snout aiming for the word wall as he breathes in "YOOL TOR SHUUUUL!!!!"
The wave of heat almost manages to blast us back as new glowing words in Dovahzul carve themselves into the once blank surface, a whole tale of fire forming itself upon the stone before our very eyes by the simple act of the old dragon willing it so.
I cannot help but whistle in appreciation as I realize he did that just by using fire breath and nothing else. That level of control was downright ridiculous.
"Go forth then, Dovahkiin." He encourages "The Rotmulaag await you, accept my gift and greeting and then return your own."
Hesitantly she does, staring blankly into the stone surface and no doubt being slammed by a literal mountain of understanding in the process. Both Paarthurnax and I watching her do so patiently.
"Good." The dragon intones as the process is complete and Minthara stumbles back "You have accepted the gift, now use it." She nods and goes to face away from us but he stops her "No, Dovahkiin. Direct your voice upon me, I wish to taste your greeting myself."
She blinks "Wouldn't that be painful?"
"Your forbearance does you credit but fear not." He shakes his massive head "Faasnu! Let me feel the might of your Thu'um!"
Her hesitation lasts for but a moment longer before she too takes a deep breath and lets out a shout far stronger than I remember teaching her "YOOL TOR SHUUUUL!!!"
A stream of fire easily surpassing what I am capable of doing slams into the dragon and for a moment I almost see him wince in pain, but that passes just as quickly and he returns to seeming completely unfazed by it.
The massive grey dragon breathes in the hot air around him almost as if it were a delicacy "Aaah… yes! Sossedov los mul. The Dragonblood runs strong in you. It is long since I had the pleasure of speech with one of my own kind."
He revels in his odd enjoyment for a while, long enough for Minthara to approach him and ask "So, are you satisfied with your 'ancient traditions' now?"
He looks down at her as if he had forgotten her presence, though I sincerely doubt that was the case "Forgive an old Dovah his indulgence."
"It's fine." She gives him a look of understanding "Anyone would grow lonely up here, especially someone who apparently likes talking so much."
"Indeed." Paarthurnax hums "Now tell me, Dovahkiin, why do you wish to face my brother?"
Minthara's eyes widen in complete and utter confusion "What?"
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Paarthurnax's ramblings:
Drem Yol Lok = Peace Fire Sky
Wunduniik = Traveller/s
Rotmulaag = Words of power
Faasnu = Fear not
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GOLZ OFAN DROG!
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