There was actually a VERY GOOD reason why horse-theft was punished by death; if the owner was out in the wilderness, you effectively signed his/her death warrant by stealing his/her horse.

I always escape with Ralof just to be able to kill the imperial officer that condemned me to be executed despite not being part of the stormcloaks.

If I could, I'd escape with Alduin. He's the only reason I still have my head.

What if Ralof and Hadvard used to be childhood friends considering they are both from Riverwood? Both of their families don't seem to fued like the grey mane and battle born and their niece and nephew sometimes play with each other. Hadvard also says "Ralof you damn traitor!" I think that sounded personal yet they still didn't get into a fight. I feel like the war and opposing views tore their friendship apart. It would've been nice if we could have them both in the game and after the war they could make amends.

The reason the Dragonborn was arrested was because the Empire ambushed Stormcloak forces you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

NOWHERE is it meantioned thr players boarder crossing was illegal ... simply bad timing as thats where the ambush was set to catch the Stormcloaks and you stumbled upon it

Fun fact: Originally, the devs would have Ulfric join you and Ralof.

Hadvar's uncle is the Smith - free iron and steel ingots at the start to help boost your Smithing rating.

I always escape Helgen with Ralof for the exact purpose of getting the Imperial officer's armor - because it makes me laugh that I end up with the helmet of the person who sent me to the chopping block.

"Looks exactly like the armor of Roman legionaires" procced to show  a Greek warrior XD my eyes hurt

Which side?
"He goes to the block."
I will never forgot that day.

The crossing wasn't the issue, it's that the Dragonborn was crossing at the same time that Ulfric was trying to cross - they were caught in the same ambush, and bundled together.

This is a good theory and all. But if it weren’t for those damnd stormcloaks , me and lokir would’ve made off with those horses and been in cyrodil by now.

I had the opposite, I didn't even notice that I can go with Ralof and just continued to follow Hadvar

Choosing Ralof not only gets you a free bed to sleep in early game, but you can also get free lumber from the mill later when you are trying to build your house. Perhaps anyone can get the lumber if they only chop some wood, but I like the role play aspect that they appreciate what you did to bring their family home alive.

"So maybe they always appear at the exact right moment to save the world and they are not criminals at all."

The Dragonborn: Joins Theives' Guild and Dark Brotherhood, assassinates Emperor, commits countless atrocities and war crimes

Just a few people notice that Ralof actualy run to save the dragonborn from Alduin when he arves. All the guards and solidaritet run to safety in towers and houses. But Ralof saw the dragonborn defensless binded on the grund, run to help him up before going to safety.

I always thought "trying to cross the border" was left to interpretation as to its legality in Skyrim and it might literally mean the Dragonborn was simply walking into Skyrim and happened to get caught up in an Imperial ambush and they just took them without proof of any crime.

Ralof because you kill captain girlboss immediately.

Call me old fashioned, but…. I just don’t see why I’d join forces with a faction that was about to take my head off with an axe. The irony is that Alduin’s attack saves you from execution lol