"We have news of the destruction of Helgen, and of the return of dragons."

Both guards stand straighter at attention, at that. "So the rumours are true? The dragons really are back?"

"I don't know if the dragons are back, but..." A memory. "But at least one dragon is back: Alduin, the World-Eater."

"—what? You're joking. Alduin?"

"Is that... the dragon of the prophecy of the end times?" asks one of the guards.

    "Prophecy?" asks another one.

"So I must inform Jarl Balgruuf at once. The dragon destroyed Helgen and was seen near Riverwood; the jarl must send aid, and must prepare for whatever will come."

Wow that sounded very authoritative. Cool.

The guards let him in, then, opening the door into the main hall of the keep. As they approach the throne, a dark elf wearing leather armour stops them.

Dark Elf

"What is the meaning of this? The jarl is not receiving visitors," she says.

"We have news of a dragon attack on Helgen," he repeats.

"...that will explain why the guards let you through," she says, after a moment of stunned silence. "You may approach."

Onwards, then, past the tables for official feasts of state all the way up to the throne where the jarl awaits.

The Jarl Awaits

"What's this about Helgen?" he asks.

"It has been destroyed by a dragon," Ruby says without preamble.

"By Shor... You've witnessed this?"

"Not the attack itself. The city lies in ruins, however, and others have seen the dragon fly."

"How do you know it was a dragon, then?"

"I don't know of any other forces that could cause that much destruction without leaving enough time for most of the people there to escape."

"So you're just assuming?" asks the dark elf, who's now standing by the jarl.

"...there's something else but I fear that if I say it you will not believe it."

"Many of my own people have seen a dragon, maybe more, fly with their own eyes. At this point I do not know what to believe, anymore," says Jarl Balgruuf. "So tell me, then. What is it that I would not believe?"

He takes a deep breath. "I have reason to believe I am Dragonborn," he says. "I had a vision of Helgen when I encountered ruins with dragon script on the walls. In the vision, Ulfric Stormcloak had been captured by imperials and was about to be executed when the dragon, Alduin, appeared."

"Alduin?"

    "My lord, surely you do not believe this fancy?" asks the man standing on the other side of the jarl.

"The fact that the imperials had captured Ulfric was not widely known, was it, Proventus?" the jarl counters. "My people have described this dragon, black as midnight and big as a mountain, which is also what Alduin was said to have been like. And the prophecy says that a Dragonborn will also appear when Alduin returns."

    "Anyone could know about the prophecy, my lord."

"I do not ask that you believe me on the merits of my words alone," says Ruby. "I cannot Shout, and have no good way of proving I am who I claim to be. But that is how I came to know that the dragon destroyed Helgen, despite not witnessing it. And the request I come here to make of you is that you send aid to Riverwood; the village is closest to Helgen, as I understand it, and if the dragon is still in the southern mountains it will be an easy target."

"Irileth suggested the same, once it was clear the dragon was sighted to the south," the jarl says, gesturing at the dark elf with his head. "And Proventus was trying to convince me not to..."

    "I believe the jarl of Falkreath might interpret this as provocation and as evidence that we are joining Ulfric's side of the war and mean to march agains thim," explains the steward.

"...but my people come before any of that political nonsense," he declares with finality. "The jarl of Falkreath can believe whatever he likes, I will not let a dragon prey on the populace. Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."

        "Yes, my jarl," says the elf, saluting and sauntering off.

    "...very well. Then I believe I should return to my duties."

"As you will. Dismissed." And after Proventus is sufficiently far away: "So. You believe yourself to be Dragonborn. And your attire suggests you are from Winterhold, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then, if you would, I believe I may have a task for you," he says, standing up from the throne and leading the way into a side room.