19th of Last Seed 4E201
For the first time in a long while, I feel rested. I woke up today, and had a nice breakfast with Alvor's wife Sigrid. She apologized for acting rude before, and explained that they didn't get many visitors in Riverwood. I asked her about the town, and her family to make conversation. She told me about her daughter Dorthe, and how she never seemed to want to do girlish things. She was either helping her father with the forge, or playing with her friend and his dog. She asked if I had any children back home. I said I didn't, and that I wasn't even married. She patted my hand and told me that I'd meet someone nice one day. As she got up to clear the table, she thanked me again for helping Hadvar escape Helgen. Thankfully, she didn't mention my being a prisoner. I noticed Hadvar was still asleep, so I thanked Sigrid and headed outside. I sold some of my gear from Helgen to Alvor, and made small talk as we discussed prices. He seemed to be a nice enough man, and I could tell that he cared for his  wife and daughter. I hoped that the dragon from Helgen never came here, or any other dragons for that matter. I decided that the sooner I got to Whiterun, the safer my new friends would be.

I met another elf on my way out of town. A Bosmer named Faendal. He said it was good to see a familiar face so far from home. I thought that was strange, since I'd never been to Valenwood, his homeland. I bid him farewell, and he warned me to be careful of someone named Sven. As I left town, I wondered why I had yet to see another Dunmer. So many had left home, yet where were they?

The road to Whiterun was pleasant enough, and thankfully there wasn't any snow. Everything here looked so green, and...alive. How different it was from Morriwind. I saw some soldiers on the road, Imperials by the look of their armor. I saw that they had a prisoner with them, so I slipped off of the road and made my way to Whiterun through the fields, in case they were still looking for survivors from Helgen.

I saw another giant man near a farm outside of Whiterun, he was fighting with three warriors. I gave them all plenty of space, just in case the giant won the battle. At the gate, a guard informed me that the city was closed due to dragons in the area, and would only open for official business. Thinking quickly, I persuaded him that I had news for the jarl about a dragon attack in Helgen. He agreed to let me in, but warned me that they'd be watching me.

On the way up to the jarl's court, I passed a man and his wife arguing about something. As I got closer, I realized that he wanted to get a sword that had been his father's and she was against him spending their money to hire someone to get it. As she walked away, he greeted me and made small talk. After finding out I was a traveler, he told me where he'd tracked down the sword to,and asked if I could keep an eye out for it. It was in a place called Valtheim Keep. I told him I would and wished him luck with his wife. Also, nearby, there was a beautiful, albeit very dead tree, and a crazy man yelling near a shrine. He was talking about the oppression of the Thalmor, badmouthing elves in general, and extolling the benefits of worshipping Talos. He looked at me as I passed, and grew quiet for a moment, then kept on with his ranting. I'm not sure if it was my Thalmor robes, or my dog that confused him the most. As I headed up the steps to the jarl's palace, I wondered why he hadn't been arrested yet by Thalmor, and why there was a giant shrine to Talos in the middle of the city. Someone here was either very brave, or very foolish.

I finally met a Dunmer today, though it was not a happy meeting, not at first. As I walked into the jarl's court,  she ran over with her sword drawn, demanding to know who I was and why I was there, since the jarl wasn't expecting anyone. The dog started growling at her, so I quickly tried calming her and told her that I was there on behalf of Alvor in Riverwood, she still seemed suspicious, and only sheathed her sword when the jarl told her it was alright and asked that I come forward. Thankfully the dog calmed down as well. I nervously told the jarl about Alvor, and the dragon in Helgen. I left out the part about them trying to execute me. They decided to send some soldiers to Riverwood after arguing a bit about it. I stood there awkwardly  as he yelled at his steward and felt very out of place. I glanced down  at the dog and smiled at him, and he gave me what looked like a lopsided smile in return. At least he was as out of place as I was. I looked back up to see the Dunmer walking past me, and she gave me a small nod as she passed. The jarl, who I learned was named Balgruuf the Greater asked me to come closer. He thanked me for helping the people in his hold by bringing this message to him, and had his steward give me some armor as a reward. I thanked him and he  nodded then seemed lost in thought for a moment. He stood and asked me to follow him and mentioned something about a project and a court wizard  and me helping somehow. I didn't understand most of what he said, because there was a little girl standing off to the side, yelling at a little boy about wanting a dress and having him chastise her and call her a spoiled baby. I wondered if these were the Jarl's children, the poor man.

The court wizard and the jarl asked me to go to a place called Bleak Falls Barrow, to get something called a dragon stone. Farengar, the wizard, seemed very dismissive and arrogant, but he gave me a good price on some spell books. I figured that I could stand to learn a few new spells, especially if I was going to be headed into a barrow. He also asked if I would mind delivering some frost  salts to the alchemist in town, named Arcadia.

Arcadia was very nice, if a bit strange. She seemed to be in love with Farengar, and kept asking if I was sick. But, she did have a few useful potions, and gave me a few tips on alchemy. I practiced a bit on her alchemy lab on the corner, and made a few decent potions. I would have to learn more, and look out for ingredients in my travels. Potions cost too much to buy.

I walked around town to explore, and met the Dunmer from the jarl's court near the gate. I cautiously asked her about herself. Her name was Irileth, and she told me about meeting Balgruuf, and fighting in battle with him. She went on to tell me about all of the dangers he faced, and expressed regret at not being able to kill those who caused the jarl mental stress. She also warned me that she was keeping an eye on me as she walked away.

I  noticed a shop nearby, called the Drunken Huntsman, and  decided to go inside. I  was getting low on septims, and thought that maybe I could ask  about any jobs in town.The man behind the counter was a Bosmer named Elrindir. He told me about how the shop got its name, which was an interesting story. He also mentioned having a brother, Anoriath. I asked  about work in town, and he said I could either chop wood for the inn, the Bannered Mare, or that I could ask the jarl about work. I thanked him and turned to leave, when I noticed a Dunmer sitting at a table in a small alcove. I walked over to speak to her, and learned that her name was Jenassa, and that she was a mercenary. She also seemed to enjoy death, and likened causing it to an artist making a painting. I couldn't afford to hire her, but I decided to save up for it, since I could use the help. And, based on my experience so far, who knew when I would see another Dunmer?

I gave the dog some wood to chew on while I chopped wood. It was hard work, but paid well. Hulda, the innkeeper, thanked me for bringing it to her, and paid me five septims for each piece I gave her. I'd have enough for hiring Jenassa and supplies in no time at this rate.

After hours of chopping wood, I wearily made my way back to the inn and decided to get a room for the night. I also got some food for me and the dog, and set his in a bowl on the floor for him. I learned my new spells from the books, and tried the Healing Hands  one out on the dog. He seemed to like it. The others, Bound Sword, Conjure Familiar, and Conjure Flame Atronach all seemed dangerous and likely to get me kicked out. I decided to save them for later. Dinner was delicious. I couldn't wait for breakfast in the morning. The bed was amazingly comfortable too. I wondered how well I would sleep tonight.