Harry Potter Elder Scrolls Fan-fiction #2

Chapter two

It was hours later when the cart came to a stop. Neville could hear the light splashing of water nearby. He nudged Harry awake. They had both dozed off after a while of hearing all about the things they needed to know before they got to Skyrim. They were on the edge of a vast ocean, waves lapping gently on the beach. A large wooden ship was moored a short walk away. The kind cart driver unloaded their things from the storage compartment, commenting on how light the luggage appeared to feel.

“If you would be so kind as to board, the ship will be departing soon and you don't want to miss it. The next ship doesn't come for another two weeks.” He smiled at the pair and wished them well, then he was off on his way.

Neville once again found himself nervous. He had never travelled by boat before, except when they had crossed the lake in first year, and this was certainly different. Nonetheless he followed Harry down the beach and up the vast loading ramp to the vessel before him. They were greeted by a rather husky looking fellow in a rough spun tunic. He too sported a similar nordic accent, but his was of a slightly higher pitch.

“Welcome aboard young men. We shall depart forthwith if you don’t mind. We have a long journey before us and we want to get ahead of the foul weather.” he looked concerned yet jovial as he ushered them aboard. The ship’s crew at once hoisted the loading ramp up and pushed off shore.

“Are there any quarters for us?” asked Harry, who was clearly taken with excitement as he looked around the ship.

“Yes, if you follow me, I can show you around. My name is Bjorn and I have run service on these treacherous waters for the better part of ten years. My brother and I helm this ship in shifts. Over there is where we keep weapons, armor, and loot, and over there is the ship’s mead hall, feel free to make yourself at home there. This way is your quarters, which will be at the end of this corridor and to your left. If you’ll excuse me I have to ensure we are on the correct heading to Valenwood.”

“Valenwood?” asked Neville. “We’re supposed to be going to Skyrim.”

“Indeed, and you are. You have quite the journey yet just to get there. We make way for Valenwood and from there you can catch another carriage north.”

Harry went perusing around the ship, Neville at his heels. They wanted to see what information they could obtain on this new location, Valenwood. They entered a narrow corridor to their right light by a series of torch sconces. A small table and chair illuminated by a single flickering candle sat at the end of the corridor, adjacent to a door. On said table was a book, worn around the edges but the cover was still legible, it stated Provinces of Tamriel. Harry strode over and picked up the book. It was a handwritten copy of the book. Intrigued, Harry stowed it away in his robes and they scurried back to the quarters they were provided to read it. They shut the door quickly behind them and sat at the table by the lantern. Their minds bubbling with curiosity, they opened to a summary section, and scrolled down the page until they reached a section on Valenwood, which read:

Valenwood:

Largely consists of uninhabited forest wilderness. Large peninsular shape yields vast coastal lands, containing sprawling swampy marshlands. Once inside the marshes the land turns to seemingly endless forests of varying types. First one must traverse the tropical rainforest. These lands are marked by several semi-aquatic creatures and nomadic hunters. If you can get past these creatures, a more temperate forest, nurtured by the heavy rains awaits you next. In contrast to the tropical version, this forest contains more settlements, however sparse they may be. The people of this region are the Bosmer or “Wood Elves”, thusly named because they traditionally make their homes out of the many trees that mark their landscape. Most settlements of the province are connected only by undeveloped footpaths.there are a few developed roads, however they are few and far between, and see little to no trade traffic.

They closed the book and pondered the information they had learned. Valenwood sounded so different from what the cart driver had told them about Skyrim. They truly sounded as though they were worlds apart. They mutually decided that the book would probably do them some good and that it wouldn’t be missed, but left a few gold coins for the trouble. They were enjoying themselves, even with nerves and tension being as high as it was. They shared culture in the ship’s mead hall with a few of the sailors on the crew. They were introduced to a signature Skyrim brew, Honningbrew Mead. Neither of them cared much for the heavy wine-like drink and instead shared a butterbeer with the hearty men who immediately wanted to know where to find more. They listened to tales about the different kinds of beings and creatures that could be found in tamriel. Harry and Neville laughed and thought how they should have brought Hermione when the men described the half-people half-cat Khajiit race of people. Harry in particular found it interesting how many different types of races, creatures, and plants existed away from the prying eyes of the muggle, and even wizarding worlds. Before long it had grown late in the evening and the men turned to their bunks, as did Neville and Harry.They awoke only a few short hours later to a terrible commotion. The Great ship was rocking back and forth intensely. Harry and Neville hurried up to the top deck to find they were in the middle of a bad storm. Large white-capped waves were rocking and tossing the boat about like a toy as the crew fought to keep her steady. The situation was clearly dire and Harry knew they had to think fast. The captain ran up to them and shouted;

“We’re nearly there now, this current is where we’ll find our trouble. This happens to be where two oceans and a sea meet. If we can stay in one piece we should reach Valenwood, if not a little off course.”

This wasn’t all that encouraging to Neville who was shaking on the spot. Harry was optimistic that these men had sailed these waters many times but even so was still a little worried. Harry checked his wristwatch. Shortly the sun would rise and hopefully their fortunes would turn. The ship and it’s brave crew fought valiantly against the storm until, at last, there were pieces of light peeking through the clouds. The weather had lightened up but the seas were still rough. Harry stood on a crate and peered out over the choppy waters. He could faintly make out the distinct and growing shape of land as they continued onward. They gathered their things together in anticipation of departing and waited anxiously on deck, about a hundred yards off the coastline.

“There’s Valenwood.” Sighed captain Bjorn.”But no sign of the port sadly. Nothing to worry about I assure you we will find our way to port. That storm just blew us a bit off course.”

Harry noted that Hedwig was particularly riled up after being cooped up in a cage for so long, not to mention the ordeal they had been through with the storm. The seas had calmed down and they were making way along the coastline in search of the nearest port when Harry got an idea.

“Captain, what if I sent my owl ahead to scout our distance and heading?” Harry asked intently, clearly wanting to help however possible. “I guarantee you won’t find a sharper bird than her, and she can also serve as a messenger to allow the port to make preparations for our arrival.”

“That is a great idea lad. Have her find a port then come back so we can send a message ahead.”

So that is exactly what Harry did and in about fifteen minutes time, she had returned, ready to take her message on to the port. Fifteen minutes flying time had turned into half an hour for sailing but nobody cared, as they all managed to arrive in one piece at the docks of a large stone walled city. They thanked the sailors and stepped off the ship. As they did a couple of intimidating looking guards strode up to them demanding to know what business they had in the city. Harry and Neville made clear they were stocking up on supplies and just passing through to which the guards seemed to soften.

“As long as you mean no ill will to our city we would like to welcome you humbly to the city of Haven, gate to Valenwood.