"Very well, Matheson." Celestia said. "Follow me to my study."

Matheson nodded, bid the two Dragons to remain there, and followed the Alicorn into the Castle. As they entered the Day Court Chamber, several ponies who had witnessed his arrival whispered among themselves.

"Are they bothering you by speaking behind your back?" Celestia asked.

"No." Matheson said. "I have heard many things great and small, good and malicious said towards me when I am out of earshot. Words of man and mortal are only wind, they have power only if you let them move you."

"Good advice." Celestia said as they entered her study, which appeared typical of the Solar Princess. A large, oaken desk sat in the middle, surrounded by books, texts, and a rogue's gallery of many other things the Dragonborn did not recognize. As they sat down, Celestia inquired what visions he had seen.

"A burning town, and a ruined crystal tree." the Dragonborn said. "The sun was split into pieces, and the moon was broken. These are what I have seen, Princess."

"That is troubling." Celestia said. "I am the Princess of the Sun, and my Sister is the Moon. The town you saw is Ponyville, where my former student and Princess of Magic Twilight Sparkle lives. Why it would be burning, I do not know."

"I see." Matheson said. "Princess, allow me a question."

"Go ahead."

"I would like to speak to this Twilight Sparkle, if that is possible?" Matheson said. "If she lives in the town I have seen, she may have some clue of what would befall it."

"Very well." Celestia said. "I will accompany you, however. The sight of a strange being, and two dragons entering Ponyville would scare a great many."

"Fair, though I am a Nord of Skyrim, not merely a being." Matheson said. "There are other races, the Imperials, Bretons, Redguards, the various Elves, the Khajiit, and the Argonians, all of them inhabit Tamriel."

"I would like to learn about them and this land called Skyrim, however at a later time." Celestia said. "I will show you to Ponyville."

As they returned to the courtyard, Celestia summoned a Chariot for herself and a team of Solar Guards to act as an escort.

"Durnehviir," the Dragonborn said, mounting up. "Follow Celestia."

"By your command, Qahnaarin." the ancient Dragon replied. As they flew off, the Dragonborn tightened his hold on the mottled scales of his mount.

====

As the combined group landed in Ponyville Plaza, the inhabitants stared and gaped at the size of the two Dragons that had just landed in their town.

"Would any of you know where Princess Twilight is?" Celestia asked.

"She should be in her castle, Princess." a townspony said. "What about the dragons, and that thing?"

"They are my guests." Celestia said. "And Matheson Hawksblood, the biped, has come to Equestria to seek aid. I expect him to be treated respectfully."

The townsponies nodded, though they were clearly still nervous.

"Let them be." Matheson said to Durnehviir, who sent feral glares at whoever whispered at them. "They are not a threat."

"They speak about you." Durnehviir replied. "In a way I find offensive."

"I will stay my hand nonetheless." Matheson said. "I expect you to keep your anger in check, old friend."

"As you wish." Durnehviir obliged. As they approached the Crystal Tree that Matheson recognized from his vision, Celestia knocked on the door and a lavender Alicorn answered.

"Oh, Celestia!" she said. "Welcome!"

"Thank you, Twilight." Celestia said. "Though there is one other you must welcome."

As Matheson came forward, Twilight raised her eyebrows.

"Matheson Hawksblood." the Dragonborn said. "I come for aid."

"Well, let's see what I can do." Twilight said, standing to the side. "Come on in."

Bidding Durnehviir and Odahviing to stay put, Matheson entered the ornate castle and sat down at a large table. As Twilight jumped into a rather spacious-looking library, Celestia sat next to him.

"I reckon there are more books in there than the entire College of Winterhold." Matheson said. "And the College itself has one of the most endowed libraries in the whole of Tamriel."

"Have you been there?" Celestia asked.

"I have, as I used to be the College's Arch-Mage." Matheson said. "I am not only a skilled warrior with blade and shield, but I have also studied Restoration and Destruction magic."

"Restoration? Destruction?" Celestia asked.

"Restoration magic is based around healing wounds and repelling the undead spawn." Matheson said. "Destruction magic relies on use of flame, frost, and lightning to harm and destroy. I am proficient in Alteration, Illusion, and Conjuration, but I have my favorites."

"You'll have to show me sometime." Twilight said, coming back in with a large stack of books. "Our magic is quite different, but yours is fascinating!:

"My thanks." Matheson said. "Are we set?"

"Yes, go right ahead!" Twilight said, writing down MATHESON'S WORLD on a sheet of paper.

Matheson smiled, and spoke.

"We began with Ysgramor, the leader of the Five Hundred Companions, and the one who claimed Skyrim for the Nords…"

====

"However, the peace would not last." Matheson said. "During the Oblivion Crisis in Cyrodiil, Emperor Tiber Septim and the Hero of Kvatch defeated the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon, using the power of Akatosh. Soon after, the Nords took to worshipping Septim, now called Talos, as one of the Eight Divines. That set off the chain of events that would lead to my journeys in Skyrim."

"Why?" Celestia asked.

"The High Elf army, or Thalmor, found it obscene that a mere man could become a god." Matheson said. "Thus, the Great War began between the Imperials and the Elves, one the Imperials lost. The White-Gold Concordat forbid the worship of Talos, and in Skyrim their Thalmor enforcers could arrest anyone who worshipped him."

"That's insane!" Twilight cried.

"To many, that was the case." Matheson said. "A young Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak, would agree with you. He and his supporters waited to rise at the proper time. When a group called the Forsworn attacked the city of Markarth, Ulfric saw his chance."

"These men under Ulfric would eliminate the Forsworn, in exchange Talos worship would be permitted." Matheson said. "Ulfric used an ancient Nord art known as the Voice to shout the Forsworn from Markarth's battlements."

"The Voice?" Celestia asked.

"I will explain later." Matheson said. "However, the Elves interfered once they found out. They threatened war again if Ulfric was not silenced. The Empire did so, but let Ulfric go soon after. Later, Ulfric would travel to the Capital of Skyrim, Solitude, to challenge the High King, Torygg to a duel."

"Who won?" Celestia asked.

"Ulfric." Matheson said. "He used the Voice to shout King Torygg apart, blasting him into bits."

Celestia and Twilight paled.

"Then, he made his escape and founded the Stormcloak rebellion." Matheson said. "Thus began the Civil War that plagued Skyrim for many years. The Imperials under Torygg's widow, Elisif, and General Tullius, against Ulfric and his Housecarl, Galmar Stone-Fist. Both sides had their causes to fight for, too many to list."

"Families were torn apart, cities swore their allegiance to either side, Skyrim was truly not the same." Matheson said.

"And this, is where my story begins."

This made Twilight nod eagerly.

"I cannot remember my life before I came to Skyrim, my homeland." the Dragonborn said. "But I do remember waking up bound on a cart. A horse thief was with me, and a Stormcloak soldier named Ralof. And next to me, gagged, was Ulfric Stormcloak himself. They had been ambushed by Imperial troops, and the horse thief and I were caught in the middle. We were heading to the town of Helgen, to be executed.'

"There, as we assembled, the horse thief attempted to flee, and was killed by the Imperial archers. A Stormcloak soldier was beheaded, then a booming noise was heard throughout the valley."

"I was called to the block. The sound came again. Then, I was set to be beheaded." Matheson said. "Then, there were cries of disbelief as a black, winged beast descended from the clouds."

"The Bane of Kings, the Firstborn of Akatosh...that beast was the dragon Alduin." Matheson said. "He attacked the town, and in the chaos, Ulfric and many other Stormcloaks escaped. I, Ralof, and an Imperial named Hadvar joined forces to make our getaway. My bonds were cut, and we journeyed together to the town of Riverwood."

"There, I would reconcile their families, and I volunteered to journey to Whiterun, to alert their Jarl of the threat. I did so, and took my first free steps in Skyrim. Before I left, I recovered a Dragonstone from a crypt full of Draugr and Bandits."

"Draugr?" Celestia asked.

"Undead." Matheson said. "They are the bodies of the dead Nordic warriors long past, reanimated by some foul force. They retain their knowledge of battle, and some can even use the Voice. However, I met with Whiterun's Jarl and Court Wizard, and soon a dragon was sighted west of the City."

"Alduin?" Twilight asked.

"No, my battle with Alduin was far ahead. It was Mirmulnir, a servant of his." Matheson said. "I and a force of Whiterun Guards slew him, and I absorbed his soul, turning the once-mighty dragon to bones. That was when I learned I was Dragonborn, able to slay Dragons and take their souls. I alone could stop Alduin." Matheson said. "Thus, my journey truly began. I undertook many quests and battled many foes to reach Alduin. I ventured to the Nordic Afterlife, Sovngarde, and in a great battle that shook the heavens, I ended Alduin. I could not absorb his soul, but I believe he is dead." Matheson said. "I have many other tales to tell, but they are so many I believe it would take ten volumes to speak them all."

Twilight finished writing, and gasped in wonder.

"Wow." she said. "And how old are you?"

"Forty-seven." Matheson said. "For many years, I lived in quiet at my home in Falkreath. My various friends and allies taking over positions I once held. as of three weeks ago, I began to have visions, night terrors."

Matheson repeated what he told Celestia to Twilight, who flinched.

"I came here to find relief from them, and purge whatever evil causes them." Matheson sighed. "Where does that leave us?"

"I will see." Celestia said. "That was quite the story, Dragonborn."

"Indeed." Twilight added. "You'll have to tell me more sometime."

"Later." Matheson said. "Now, I must speak with my companions…"

Then, there was a cry of anger.

"SPIKE, YOU LITTLE RUNT, GET OUT HERE!"

Matheson saw a small dragon come out and run to Twilight.

"It's…" the dragon called Spike said.

"Garble." Twilight said. "A troublemaking Dragon."

"Dragon?" Matheson asked. "Let me deal with this."

As Matheson exited, a group of seven adolescent dragons were standing in front of the castle in fury. One, as red as Odahviing, strode forward.

"Who are you?" he scoffed.

"One you do not want to anger." Matheson said. "What is your quarrel with young Spike?"

"He's a runt who's gonna get what he deserves!" Garble said. He was going to walk past Matheson, only for a blade of Nordic Steel to touch his throat, stopping him.

"I don't think so." Matheson said, readying Endeavor. "Whatever it is, settle it with me."

"What do you know, grandpa?" Garble roared. Durnehviir and Odahviing bristled at that comment, and were about to intervene when Matheson smiled.

"I know a great many things. Slaying dragons is one of them." he said. "Fight me."

"I'll tear you apart!" Garble retorted. "Eat this!"

Garble spat a stream of fire towards the Dragonborn, who simply raised his shield and defended himself.

"You have shown your flame, let me show mine." Matheson said, readying his blade. He took in a breath, and spoke in a shout so powerful, the ground quaked.

"YOR...TOR SHUUL!"

Author's Note

Holy...this one took a while.

Totally worth it. If I got the canon wrong in Matheson's explanation, it'll be cleared up later. I promise.

Next time-Garble gets his ass handed to him, and the Dragonborn shows his power. Also, a new enemy takes notice of the Dovahkiin's presence...