For the Dragonborn that sometimes feel it isn't so easy being the hero of the world

I do not own the rights to Skyrim

Hope you enjoy!


The steps were rough, my pack was heavy, and my breathing labored as I walked the seven thousand steps to High Hrothgar. The wind was harsh as it slammed against all the sides of my small frame. It penetrated the fur clothing, which I thought would be enough to endure the brutality of the trip. I had a cloth cloak that I wore above all my gear. I held it tightly around my neck like a scarf while I walked. The gust picked up and the heavy wind nearly knocked me off my feet. I started to understand why the pilgrims further down the mountain never venture up this far. It wasn't because of the wolves, or the journey up the steps itself. No, the harshness of this storm would stop even the mightiest of Nords.

I needed to press on though. There was something inside of me that burned so fiercely, something I was starting to fear I would lose control over. I needed to see these greybeards so they could teach me to control this monster I have become. This fire started to become my fuel for bearing the coldness of the mountain, and I pressed on. My boots crunching into the snow with each step. It felt necessary to stop at each stone marker with an inscription. Not just to learn about the world, but possibly learn about myself. I had no clue who I was, or where I came from. I was an orphan, and I hoped somewhere in these words there would be a glint of an answer. I approached another stone tablet with hope… but no answer revealed itself.

Darkness fell quickly over Skyrim, which meant danger and death on a mountain like this. I swiftly unbuckled my pack and started taking out some essential camping equipment. Luckily I was able to find a spot between two large parts of the mountain, which provided great cover for starting a fire; something I was adept at. Once the flame started burning and giving off light I was able to complete my camp. I set a small fur tent up and lit my iron lamp, which I hung in the middle of my tent. I could hear how loud and ferocious the wind was as it blew past the small valley of rock.

I knew that once I woke up it would be the day I'd meet the greybeards, and I would probably need my strength, so I took a piece of smoked venison out of my pack and started to eat. Normally I would try to eat everything in my pack if I were falling asleep out in the wilderness due to the nature of animals and their curiosity, but with the storm raging on, and no end in sight, everything on this mountain would be looking for cover for the night. I took my water skin sitting on the side of the tent and sipped on the water it held, knowing how dehydrated I was from walking the steps. I surely wasn't counting and knew not how much further I needed to go. Then I sat back and tucked myself under my sleeping bag. I watched the flame inside the lantern flicker until my eyes couldn't bear to be open any longer, and I fell asleep.

My eyes were still closed when I felt something moving around by my feet. I grunted and moved my body into a position more comfortable than what I started waking up into, but then felt the movement again. It was almost as if it was a… a… A creature! I thought as I flew up. Adrenaline shot through my body as I tried to wake myself up. I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to get rid of the drowsiness. My eyes grew wide, and my legs felt weak when I saw it. Its face scowled and its many eyes piercing me. It had a snow-white body and gigantic claws. "A snow troll," I murmured under my breath. It growled and moved a step closer to me, my bag was next to it. The night was still young, and the storm was still aggressively raging.

Out of the corner of my eye I breathed a small sigh of relief that I left my steel sword next to my side. Quickly I gripped its leather handle and prepared myself into a defensive position. This encounter would decide if I was worthy enough to be the dragonborn and train with the greybeards, or if I would flake away from history… and I had no intention of dying on this mountaintop. I needed a plan and I needed one quick, because the troll started to growl louder and angrier. I noticed a small clearing behind the troll. This was the best bet as the troll had me cornered. Narrowly evading the trolls swipe I rolled along the ground in a swift fashion to get behind the beast. The wind pounded against the side of my left cheek, but the adrenaline kept me from feeling the coldness of it. I stared my opponent down, who was doing the same to me. It beat its chest and moved towards me flailing its arms, which I countered with progressive steps backwards. An Opening! I said to myself and I swung my steel sword towards it's gut. The cut landed but it wasn't deep enough.

The troll doubled back from the wound and yelled. It came at me stronger this time, my feet matched it while I tried to evade the attacks. I tried to swing at it's feet but its other hand smacked my torso and knocked the wind out of me. It moves faster than I thought I said to myself, planning to attack from a different angle.

I went for the creature's neck, trying a downward slash from right to left, but it grabbed my sword and clawed my abdomen, going right through the thinner fur armor than my usual wear.

"Ahhhh!" I yelled in pain. I grabbed my abdomen and shouted something more useful. "FUS!" My body surged with a strange natural energy like it did outside of Whiterun days ago and a strong gust of energy attacked the troll. The beast staggered backwards and tried to brace itself from the impact of the force, letting go of my sword. This is my chance! I have to strike now! I rushed in close for the kill. Pulling my arm back for momentum I lunged and drove my sword into the beast's chest. Its cry echoed through the wind and snow, and blood dipped out of its body. It became weaker and weaker as I drove the steel further into it, more blood coming out, and some getting on me. Then it collapsed onto the frozen ground, lifeless.

My breathing was heavy, and a mixture of joy, shock, and fear were all invading me. I looked down at the snow and noticed it wasn't just the trolls blood corrupting the white snow. My abdomen suffered a severe wound from the troll's swipe. Blood poured down my abdomen onto the lower half of my body. I dropped my sword and stumbled slightly. I needed to get to High Hrothgar fast, before the wound became worse in this storm. This wasn't something I could easily brush off with a potion or a healing spell. I would die if I didn't reach the monastery.

I left everything I had except for the lantern and ran, holding my abdomen with my left arm. The storm started picking up, and I could barely see. Trying to use the lantern to light even a tiny amount of the way. My pain let me know I was still alive, but barely. After a couple more minutes, I started to get dizzy, and slightly nauseous. This is it, I told myself, this is how I die. That's when I noticed a statue of Talos next me to my right. For a moment, I thought it was looking right at me, brushing the thought off I continued. I started to cough, and a small amount of blood came out.

Just a little further! I was yelling at myself. I can do this!

It was then that I saw the stairs leading straight up to the monastery. Thank the Gods! I cried to myself. I stumbled and barely made it up. Reaching inside one of the doors I pulled it open with the remaining energy and strength I had, toppling forward onto the cold stone floor. The door slammed shut loudly behind me, and it was quiet, so quiet. My vision darkened, and I blacked out. I could only hope that the greybeards heard me and could make it in time.


Thanks for stopping by!

Hopefully these greybeards can reach the Dragonborn in time

Have a great day!