Follow Hadvar to Riverwood

You decide to join Hadvar.

After all the fighting you've done, it's nice to enjoy a peaceful walk through the hills on the way to Riverwood, about half of your journey following the river that was the namesake for the town. Hadvar didn't say much, probably trying to process everything that had happened today.

Upon arrival, Riverwood seemed bigger than you had expected. There were at least a couple dozen buildings, and you could see far more people milling about than there were supposed to be NPCs in the small town. Maybe this weird dreamlike version of Skyrim was more heavily populated than the game?

There weren't any guards, but the residents of the town saw you and Hadvar coming. They seemed nervous until they recognized Hadvar, calling out to him and waving.

Once you were through the gate, Hadvar briefly explained the situation to the gathering crowd: Helgen had been attacked by a dragon, he had managed to escape thanks to your help. He asked the men in the crowd to get ready to set up defenses and put together a fire brigade while he went to talk to his uncle Alvor.

After passing a few nondescript homes, Hadvar led you to the local blacksmith, the workplace and home of his uncle Alvor.

You were greeted by the ringing of a hammer against hot metal.

A muscular man in red glanced up from the anvil he was working at, and recognized Hadvar in an instant.

Dunking the hot metal item he was working on in a bucket of water, Alvor called out, "Is that you Hadvar? What brings you here?"

"Uncle, I'm afraid that Helgen was attacked by a dragon."

Alvor closed his eyes and sighed. "I thought I saw it flying north, but I was hoping it was just my eyes playing tricks on me. Who's this friend of yours?"

"She helped me escape Helgen. I was hoping you could give the two of us a place to stay tonight," Hadvar replied.

Alvor turned to you. "My nephew is one thing, but I'll need a favor from you if you want to stay here. I'll write a message for you to deliver to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun. It will include Hadvar's account of what happened in Helgen and a request for guards to help protect Riverwood. You were there too, so you'll be the best person to answer the Jarl's questions. Or, you could help out around the forge, and I'll let you stay as long as you want. What say you?"