Darkness.

Darkness is all I can remember. Before that, nothing.

The clopping sound came first. I still couldn't see, only hear whatever seemed to be walking on the hard ground.

Then the coldness hit. I suddenly couldn't remember if I was cold before, all i really knew was that I was cold now.

My hands were sitting on my lap, my wrists very uncomfortable. I tried to flex but to no avail. My wrists were tied, tight.

My vision cleared, blurry at first but I could clearly make out that it was the middle of the day.

I seem to have slumped forward at some point because I woke with my torso resting on my knees.

My vision cleared further and it was here that I was able to look around my surroundings.

Snow. Well that explained the cold.

I was in a carriage, it's funny that I had no memory of this, or anything at all really. What in blazes had happened to me?

There were others with me, four men. One sitting in the driver's seat, holding the reins of a horse. Which, I now realise was the source of the constant clopping noise.

'Hey you', said a voice, the man in front of me. His face was a quite dirty and I remember thinking that he wore a lot of blue.

My head was still a bit scattered, I barely heard him. 'You're finally awake, you were trying to cross the border right?'

The border? The border to what? I couldn't remember anything, I had no idea what was happening.

I can't say that I wasn't scared, I'm no idiot. Waking up with no memory, you're hands tied, with a man telling you that you've crossed some border. I wasn't about to go screaming back up the roads, but I was scared.

'Walked right into that imperial ambush, same as us and that thief over there', the man continued. It was at this moment I noticed his hands were bound same as mine. Same as all of us, the man sitting next to me even had his mouth covered so he couldn't talk. Maybe he wouldn't shut up so they gagged him.

'Damn you stormcloaks. Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy.' The other man began to talk with a tone that seemed he blamed the blue man for the predicament we were all in. He too had a dirty face, but this one was dressed in rags. Like some beggar.

And that was when I realized that I was in rags, no wonder it was so cold.

I was guessing that this Skyrim place was where I was now, I would've admired the beauty of the lush forests and blankets of snow over the landscape, had I not been thrown in a cart, freezing to death.

'Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you I'd have stolen that horse and been halfway to Hammerfell.' The man continued, he had an annoying voice and I already disliked him.

He turned towards me, 'You there, you and me, we shouldn't be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire wants.' He was propositioning me for something. But what could we do? We had been carted off, same as the 'Stormcloaks' this man mentioned.

'We're all brothers and sisters in bonds now.' the stormcloak said.

'Shut up back there.' the driver sounded annoyed. I hope he doesn't gag us, I was beginning to enjoy the friendly chat.

'What's wrong with him, huh?' inquired the rag man, ignoring the drivers warning. He was gesturing toward the gagged stormcloak.

'Watch your tongue! You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King.' the stormcloak grumbled.

A king? This was all starting to sound like some bad joke, I wish I could remember what happened. But why would our captors treat a king in such an unpleasant way?

'Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You're the leader of the rebellion... if they've captured you... oh gods, where are they taking us?' the rag man sounded panicked.

Come to think of it, Where were they taking us? our bonds seemed to say prison, but transporting us with a king seemed to say, execution.

My heart skipped a beat, i had to calm myself down once more. They wouldn't execute someone just for crossing a border, i thought, trying to reason with myself, maybe they would have thought I was in leagues with this Ulfric king, but they wouldn't transport me however many miles just to kill me, they could've done that long ago. They must be taking me to prison, either a life sentence, or they were going to torture me for information, I was hoping it wouldn't come to that, however, seeing as they already caught the king.

Whatever happened, we were not in for a fun trip.

'I don't know where we're going, but Sovngarde awaits.' the stormcloak seemed to be reading my thoughts, we were going to die, some way or the other.

'No, This can't be happening! This isn't happening!' the ragged man was panicking, and rightly so, the only thing was it was making me uneasy so I did with he would shut up.

'Hey, what village are you from horse-thief?' enquired the stormcloak.

'Why do you care?' hissed the ragged man.

'A Nord's last thoughts should be of home.'

The ragged man hesitated, then whispered 'Rorikstead. I'm from Rorikstead.'

I had no idea where Rorikstead was and frankly didn't care, I was too busy trying to remember where my home was.

'General Tullius sir! The headsman is waiting.' In all the talk that was happening, I hadn't been watching the road. Suddenly a town had appeared out of nowhere.

We were heading through the gate and a man had called from above it.

Wait did he say 'headsman'?

'Good, let's get this over with.'

By Talos, I thought, we are going to die.

'Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh! Divines, please help me!' at least I held myself better than the ragged man, though I can't say I was doing much better.

Our cart made it through the gate. My heart beat much faster, I guess there was no way out now. Here is where my life would end.

'Look at him! General Tullius, the Military.' the stormcloak managed to keep himself together, perhaps relying on anger to calm his nerves. His words sounded like venom when he spoke of 'General Tullius'. I looked to where he was looking, an old man dressed in red talked to some long faced, pointy eared people, both of them on horseback, I decided to hate this man right then, I decided it was he who had decided to kill me without even a second thought.

'And it looks like the Thalmor are with him.' the stormcloak continued, referring to the pointy ears. 'Damn elves, I bet they had something to do with this.' We continued down the road.

I heard then, a very low rumble, like an animal roaring coming from outside the walls. I tried to hear it again but couldn't. In the end, I concluded it must have been the cart grumbling as we turned, I had more important things to worry about.

'This is Helgen.' Helgen! The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't remember why. Perhaps I was from here, or was heading here. I looked around the houses and walls, but nothing looked familiar.

'I used to be sweet on a girl from here.' the Stormcloak continued to talk, perhaps trying to keep himself calm. 'I used to be sweet on a girl from here. I wonder if Velod…' I stopped listening to the Stormcloaks ramblings, focusing more on where we were heading.

I noticed the townsfolk, besides the army of people in red, or Imperials as the Stormcloak had called them, there actually seemed to be people living here. Even children, one sat watching on the porch, cross legged and curious. I found myself watching him.

'Who are they, daddy? Where are they going?' said the child. Such innocence.

'You need to go inside, little cub.' the father said, very sadly.

'Why? I want to watch the soldiers!'

'Inside the house, now.'

'Yes papa.'

I didn't want to see the child leave, I knew that him being here or not wouldn't determine whether or not I kept my head, but I still didn't want him to leave.

I watched the child go inside the house as the cart began to slow down.

'Why are we stopping?' asked the ragged man.

'Why do you think? End of the line.' the stormcloak said solemnly. I admired his courage.

He seemed to be proud that he was to die here.

I looked around looking for some final escape. I noticed that most of the guards wore bows, I would just be facing a slow death if I decided to run now.

Failing that, i decided to at least face my death with as much bravery as I could muster. After all, I didn't want to give the Imperials the satisfaction.

'Let's go, we shouldn't keep the gods waiting for us.' the stormcloak stood, ready for the afterlife.

'No! Wait! We're not rebels.' the ragged man was looking for a last attempt at mercy from the Imperials.

'Face your death with some courage, thief,' the stormcloak said stiffly.

'You've got to tell them we weren't with you! This is a mistake!'

'Step towards the block when we call your name, one at a time,' said the Imperial woman in front of us.

'Empire loves their damned lists,' spat the stormcloak.

'Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm.' it was the man from the gate, calling forward the king, not even removing his gag to allow him some last words. He help a book with a quill. Reading the words allowed.

Ulfric stepped away. I could feel his courage as he did so. He too would face his gods with some dignity.

'it has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric,' said the stormcloak. I felt the same, I had known him for a brief period but already I felt respect for the man.

'Ralof of Riverwood,' the stormcloak stepped forward, well at least I got his name before he died.

'Lokir of Rorikstead,' she gestured the ragged man, Lokir.

'No! I'm not a rebel! You can't do this.' he blustered, he then began to run back the way we came. Stupid man. He didn't notice the archers.

'Halt!' cried the Imperial woman.

'You're not going to kill me.' Lokir cried.

'Archers!'

Lokir was hit through the knee and fell, he seemed to be dead, perhaps he was playing, perhaps he passed out from the shock. Although, I was sure he was in considerable pain right now.

'Anyone else feel like running?' said the Imperial woman. We all just stared at her trying to show that we weren't afraid.

'Wait. You there.' said the Imperial man. He was gesturing to me. My heart thumped in my chest. 'Step forward.' I stepped forward. 'Who are you?'

For the first time this trip, I actually had an answer. I remembered my name like a light switch going off.

'I am Tabatha. A proud nordic woman, from Skyrim.' I answered.

'You picked a bad time to come home to Skyrim, kinsman. Captain, what should we do, she's not on the list?' a ray of hope surged, I might be free, start a new life, stay away from the borders and live till I die of old age.

'Forget the list. She goes straight to the block.' I was beginning to really dislike the female Imperial.

'By your orders, Captain. I'm sorry.' the Imperial actually apologised, i guess they weren't all bad, but they were still going to kill me. 'At least you'll die here, in your homeland. Follow the Captain prisoner.'

He was referring to the female Imperial that he calls 'Captain'. I followed her to the middle of the crowd gathered around the chopping block, I found Ralof and stood next to him.

In front of me was the old man, talking straight to Ulfric's face, they were almost touching foreheads. Tullius tried to overshadow the king. But the king stood tall and proud.

'Ulfric Stormcloak. Some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use a power like the voice to murder his king and usurp the throne.' Tullius spoke with venom.

I remember being curious as to what 'the voice' was, i guessed that was why he was gagged, but how can he talk someone to death unless he was particularly boring.

Ulfric let loose a muffled grumble. He did truly hate this man.

'You started this war, flung skyrim into chaos. And now the Empire is going to put you down and restore the peace.' stated Tullius.

A loud roaring noise could be heard echoing around the town, not unlike the sound I heard earlier, only louder this time.

'What was that?' someone said nervously. Good, I wasn't the only one that had heard that.

'It's nothing. Carry on.' said General Tullius, walking away to overlook the executions.

'Yes, General Tullius!' said the captain. 'Give them their last rights.' she said to the priestess I just noticed standing next to the man with the giant, bloody axe.

The priestess began to pray for us, 'As we commend your souls to Aetherius, blessings of the 8 divines upon you...'

'For the love of Talos, shut up and let's get this over with.' one of the Stormcloak soldiers stepped forward, looking to volunteer to be the first to enter the afterlife.

'As you wish.' said the priestess, sounding disappointed.

'Come on! I haven't got all morning.' he was brought to his knees by the captain who placed his head over the chopping block, providing a clear view of his neck for the axman. 'My ancestors are smiling at me, Imperials. Can you say the same?' he spoke while facing the axman, but posed his question to every Imperial that could hear him.

The ax swung, and a fountain of blood followed staining the cobblestone floor. His body slumped over. It was a rather gruesome sight and I couldn't help but feel jealous of the man who had already gone through the pain of death and was most likely now meeting with his ancestors.

'You Imperial bastards.' one of the stormcloaks shouted.

The townsfolk were different, yelling, 'death to the stormcloaks,' and, 'justice.' I wondered if they actually believed them words or if they said them because there was an Imperial army literally at their doorstep.

'As fearless in death as he was in life.' said Ralof sadly.

'Next, the nord on the rags.' the captain gestured towards me, I knew she meant me, but I didn't move.

Another roar sounded, much closer this time.

'There it is again.' said one of the Imperial guards. 'Did you hear that?'

'I said, next. Prisoner,' shouted the captain, she could have at least said my name.

'To the block, prisoner. Nice and easy.' said a voice behind me, marshalling me forward.

It became real in those moments I was walking toward the block. I said nothing, did nothing as they forced me to the block. I remember seeing the head in the basket, but then i closed my eyes. I didn't want to see my death coming, I wanted it to be a surprise.

The noise again, much louder this time. I still didn't open my eyes, just listened. I heard the headsman intake a sharp breath of air as he swung the ax backwards, over his head. Only a few more seconds of life now, my heart was thumping extremely fast trying to do a lifetime job in only a few seconds.

BOOOOOOOM.