Chapter 7
Ragnthor
They made if to Ivarstead toward evening. The days trip over the pass was uneventful but it did show them winter was coming. There was a foot of snow at the top. They stopped at the top of the pass and Ragnthor smiled.
"Do you know how long it has been since I have seen snow? It must be going on 3 years now."
He jumped off his horse and started playing in the snow with Slasher. Ahearn look at them with distain. Lydia laughed at the sight of a full grown, fearsome warrior rolling around in the snow like a child. About 30 minutes later he shook off the snow and climbed back on his horse.
He smiled over at Lydia. "Sorry. It has been many years since I have been able to do that. I am glad I got Ralof to cut that field. I have a feeling this will be a bad winter and we will need it all." Lydia smiled and shook her head.
As they were starting on the downhill side they met up with a hunter. Ragnthor stopped and asked him about the way ahead.
"Oh, it's just fine. The weather up here may be as cold as a witch's tit but it gets right warm lower down. I would wager that winter on the plateau is a good month away."
Ragnthor nodded and asked if there was anything out of the normal.
"Not much to tell really. I guess there has been an increase of those nasty spiders. And there is tell of something killing travelers below Ivarstead but that's all."
Ragnthor shook the man's hand and they rode away. When they rode into Ivarstead there was very little going on. Ragnthor decided to see about what was killing the travelers. He walked into the inn and asked the barkeep about it.
"Aye there is something doing that. From the sounds we hear it happens about a quarter mile from the town. If you can deal with the beast the whole town would be grateful. We could scrape up enough gold to pay you for your help."
Ragnthor nodded and walked outside to join Lydia. "There is something killing people. I said we would have a look at it. Might be able to get a free room and some feed for the horses and a sled to haul it in." Lydia nodded.
They left their horses and walked down the path a while. All of a sudden Ragnthor hear something and held up a hand.
"I think is a troll. We go in side by side. You do the blocking my sword can't and I have the power you don't." Lydia nodded and they charged in.
The troll was massive. He was nine feet tall and as broad as a barn. Ragnthor ran up and gave him a slash across the chest and then Lydia jumped forward in time to block the blow. It when on like this for 20 minutes. Ragnthor looked down at Lydia and saw that she was tired. Taking blow after blow from a troll is enough to break the arm of a strong man.
The troll was a freak. It could regenerate so fast it was almost healed by the time it attacked. Ragnthor bend low as Lydia shielded them from a massive barrage of attacks.
"When I saw now run to the back of the cave. I have to finish this fast if we are to get out of here alive." The troll had just finished an attack when Ragnthor yelled "NOW" and Lydia darted as quick as a deer to the back of the cave.
The troll was after her in an instant. As it ran past Ragnthor he sliced deep into the troll's side. It roared with pain and turned to face him. And that's when the dance began, for it was a dance. He couldn't let the troll hit him or it might dent his armor bad enough he couldn't move and then it would be over. Ragnthor flowed around each of the trolls attacks, sometimes close enough that it's claws scratched his armor. It wasn't long before the troll was tired and Ragnthor made his move. As the troll attacked Ragnthor dodged and in a flash cut off one of it's arms. He then spun around and lopped off the beast's head. After it hit the ground he slammed his sword through its back pinning it to the ground. It tried the get up a few times but the sword held it down. Soon it stopped moving all together. He pulled his sword out of the beast's back and cleaned it with a cloth.
He then walked over to Lydia. "Are you alright?"
Lydia rolled her shoulders. "Yes. I may have got some bruises but it's nothing time won't heal."
Ragnthor shook his head. "Time is one thing we don't have is time. Brace yourself, there is a chance this might hurt a bit." He cast a healing spell on her.
"Talos, what was that?"
Ragnthor smiled. "A battle healing spell I picked up a few years ago."
She moved her arm. "There is no more pain….thank you."
Ragnthor nodded. "Anything for a friend. Now let's get out of here and get some sleep. I believe the barkeep owes us 2 beds." They left the cave and started back to town.
Lydia
When Lydia walked out of her room the barkeep told her the food on the table was for her and the man she was with was out getting the horses ready. She nodded and sat down to eat. A few minutes later Ragnthor came in and sat down.
"I managed to get feed and a sled. With luck we should make it up the mountain tonight."
Lydia nodded as Ragnthor started tearing into his food. As he finished Lydia stood and went outside. As she walked toward where they had kept the horses she adjusted her armor for a day in the saddle. Slasher ran over to her when she got there and she knelt down to pet him. She walked over to the log where the horses were tied and sat.
"You know boy, it has been a long trip. And we are only half way done. It's hard to say it but I wish we were back on the farm." Slasher jumped up and started licking her on the face. As she was shoving him off she heard Ragnthor.
"It's not hard. It's why I came home. But then we both got caught up in the dragon business."
He held out his hand to pull her up. She ignored it. Ragnthor just smiled and swung up on to his horse.
As Ragnthor kicked Ahearn his horse looked back at the sled like What is this? Have I been reduced to a common pack animal?
Ragnthor rubbed his shoulder as Lydia stifled a laugh. As they started to cross the bridge leading to the mountain they came across to men talking about not being able to bring supplies up the mountain.
Ragnthor pulled up. "Can we help you sir?"
The Nord man laughed. "I'm no sir. Just call me Klimmek. And I could use some help. I try to bring supplies up to the Grey Beards once a month but the weather is just too bad for me to make it."
Ragnthor nodded. "We are on our way up. We could take them for you."
Klimmek handed him the bag. "Thank you. I am in your debt sir."
Ragnthor held up a hand. "I am no sir, just a man who helps those in need." They talked for a few moments longer then they parted ways.
Lydia rode up beside him. "Why did you tell that man not to call you sir? You are a Thane."
Ragnthor nodded. "Aye that I am. But it was not of my choice. I have wandered as someone no greater than any other swordsman and it is a good way to live. You help those in need and never ask more than they can give. I came back to be a farmer. Not a lord."
Lydia though for a moment then said. "But was your father not a Thane. Surely you learned some things from him."
Ragnthor laughed and nodded. "And this is what he taught me. I never hear anyone call him sir. And not only was he Thane, he also rose to the rank of Legate in Imperial Legion. And never once did he ask anyone to call him sir. I plan to live my life that way." Lydia nodded and kept riding beside him for a while.
A few hours later they were riding through snow that came up to their horse's bellies. And if was here that the strength and stamina of Ahearn was shown. Despite pulling the feed sled he broke trail tirelessly, leaving an easier path for Lydia and Black Moon. Yet despite the stubbornness which he broke trail Lydia knew that they wouldn't make the castle by nightfall.
It was a few hours later that they were looking for a place to camp. The sun was about to vanish when they found a place where the snow wasn't too deep for the tent. They had just got off their horses when Ragnthor held up a hand.
"There is something out there with us." Lydia drew her sword when 2 trolls burst out of the bushes.
"I will take the one on the left" Ragnthor shouted as he charged. "Keeping moving or you will be overwhelmed."
Lydia charged at the one on the right. She swung her shield at its face then darted to the right and plunged her sword into its side. The troll roared and she barely managed to get her shield up before it attacked. She waited until it had finished and then she thrust her sword around the edge of her shield and took it in the shoulder. The troll snarled and started hitting her shield with both fists. The impact of each blow was staggering and slowly she was getting forced to the ground. She summoned her strength and slammed her shield into the beast's chest. It was knocked back a few feet and she stood up straight and prepared to go down fighting.
As the troll charged she heard a yelling above the sound of its roar "BLOCK MIDDLE". She held her shield over the middle of her chest and waiting for the troll's fists to crush her skull.
Just before it swung something slammed into her shield and staggered her. Then her shield was almost ripped off her arm as a metallic screech drowned out the trolls roaring. When she lowered her shield she saw the troll facing Ragnthor with its guts hanging out of a massive gash in its side. They charged at the same time. Ragnthor plunged his sword through the beast's chest and used the momentum of the charge to slam his shoulder into the troll so hard he knocked it down. He then walked to its head and slammed his foot down. Lydia turned before it landed.
There was a crunch and she heard Ragnthor say in a low voice "You will never touch her again."He then dragged the trolls' bodies over to the cliff and threw them over it.
After the heat of battle left, Lydia was cold. It was almost if just being outside was trying to freeze her blood. She quickly took the tack off the horses and gave them their food. By the time she was done Ragnthor had a tent up with a fire going in front of it. She was shivering when he looked up.
"Gods girl, get in the tent and get under the furs. You look like you're going to freeze."
She nodded and went in the tent. She stripped off her armor and wrapped herself in her furs. She was still freezing. By the time Ragnthor came in about 30 minutes later she was curled up in the fetal position. It was the only way she could lay down without feeling like she was getting colder. Ragnthor shook her and she sat up shivering.
"Eat this, it should help you warm up." He handed her a bowl of stew and walked outside. She started to eat and felt a little warmer. She heard something being piled against the side of the tent and soon she stopped feeling like something was sucking the warmth out of her. Ragnthor soon came in and Slasher followed. Slasher curled up over her feet and she handed the bowl to Ragnthor. Their hands touched as she handed it back.
"By the nine girl, you feel like you are made of ice." He put down the bowl and sat next to her.
He moved close and put his arm around her. She was about to punch him when she felt the warmth coming from him. It was like he wasn't touched by the cold. He must have felt her relax because he pulled her closer and, wrapping them both in furs, put both his arms around her. She completely relaxed as he wrapped his warm arms around her.
They sat like that for a long while in silence. She felt safe in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. Soon she was warmer but she didn't pull away.
"Tell me about something from your travels."
Ragnthor looked down at her and smiled. "Would you like to know about something warm?" She nodded.
"Alright then. Far to the south, past the Imperial City and beyond Cyrodiil lies a great desert. It stretches for farther than the eye can see. There is very little water and the sand that is there gets everywhere. But it is not just covered in sand. There are grasslands where vast herds of deer like animals roam. It is what used to be Elsweyr and it is where the Khajiit are from. Now think about how cold they must be." She laughed and rested her head on his chest.
As he kept talking about Elsweyr she grew tired and fell asleep, feeling totally safe for the first time in years. Her heart had been healed. It had taken a massive fight and a freezing cold night on a mountain but her heart was now whole and had started to fill with peace.
Ragnthor
He had no idea when she had gone to sleep. When he first realized he panicked, knowing that if people went to sleep while extremely cold they could die.
After that first moment of fear he felt her breathing and knew she was alright. He softly touched her face to see if she was still freezing. She was still colder than he liked so he didn't move. Slasher looked up at him with wondering eyes.
He nodded as he said "She will live. Thank Talos she will live." Slasher laid his head back on her lap.
As he sat there looking at the person he held in his arms his mind wandered back through the years. They had met under sad circumstance but had become fast friends. In truth she was one of only a few friends. What she never really knew was that he was a lonely and angry child. His father expected him to be on his best behavior while in town. He only let the anger loose when he was pushed the wrong way.
The first time it happened was the day they had found the wolves in the wood. It both saved and almost cost his life. The day he found her cornered by the boys in town all he saw was red. He honestly didn't know what he had done until his father had told him.
The years had tempered and cooled his anger but he knew that if one his friends were in a life or death situation it could all snap, like a thin branch covered with heavy snow.
As he looked back down he remembered the last time he had held Lydia like this and his heart hurt. It was right after they had been with each other for the first time. Life had taken both of them in ways that had broken and reformed them. They were different now but it seemed that fate was pulling them back together.
He didn't know when he went to sleep but he woke just before sunrise. Lydia was still in his arms. He bent down and kissed her forehead then wrapped her in both sets of furs and went outside. He stretched before pulling on his armor. Shaking his arms to warm them he walked over to the horses and fed them.
While they were eating he put on the tack and prepared the sled for the days travel. As he walked back to the tent he could barely tell it from the snow. In order to keep the heat in he had piled snow high against the walls. Together with the snow that had fallen over night the tent was almost covered.
He found the firewood he had cut last night and built a fire to cook breakfast. As he was cooking the sun came up. He was awestruck by the sight. It was an almost clear day and in the rarified air the colors were crystal clear. It was truly and amazing sight.
Soon he had the food done and he brought Lydia a bowl. She was rubbing the sleep from her eyes as he came in.
He handed her the bowl. "I know it is porridge but it is hot and will keep you warm for longer than anything else I have to cook."
He reached into the pouch at his side and pulled out an intricately designed bottle and handed it to her. "Drink this as well. It will help with the cold."
She took the bottle and drank it. Her face looked like she had eaten rotten…something.
Ragnthor smiled. "I know it tasted bad but it will keep you warm. With luck it should last until we reach High Hrothgar".
She nodded. "Thank you." She had soon finished her food and put on her armor.
Ragnthor handed her his coat. "Wear this. It should fit over your armor."
She shook her head. "I can't take this. It is cold Ragnthor, you need it."
Ragnthor shook his head and laughed. "I don't get very cold. And if I do I will break trail along with Ahearn."
Lydia shook her head again and Ragnthor took matters into his own hands. He stood and placed the coat over her shoulders.
"Now it you take this off I will tie you up and put you in the sled." They walked outside and got on their horses.
"Aren't you going to take the tent?"
Ragnthor shook his head "No. I will leave it here for the next person who gets stuck. And don't worry about us getting stuck. I do have another." With that he kicked his horse and rode off up the mountain.
They made it up the mountain without any more trouble. It took about 4 hours to make it to High Hrothgar. As Lydia found a place to tie the horses Ragnthor took the bag he got from Klimmek and put it in the chest in front of the steps. After he finished he walked over to the side of the mountain and looked out.
"Talos. We live in a beautiful land. It feels good to be home." He turned and walked back to Lydia. She had just finished and was walking over to him.
She looks beautiful. Even after the night we just had. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
He met her half way. "Are you ready to meet the Grey Beards?" She nodded.
They walked into High Hrothgar. There was no one waiting for them in the entrance so they started to walk around. It wasn't long before they found someone. Ragnthor took off his helm and put it under his arm.
"Hello. My names Ragnthor and I am the person you called. The Dragonborn."
The man looked at him and smiled. "Greetings Ragnthor. My name is Arngeir and I speak for my brothers. We have waited a long time for you."
Ragnthor nodded. "And I am sorry for making you wait longer. But it was necessary for my companion to have a place to stay when she is not with me."
Arngeir smiled and nodded. "I understand. We all have some things that must come before duty. However I must ask your companion to wait outside. There are things that we will do in the ceremony that those with untrained ears cannot hear. It will kill them."
Ragnthor looked him in the eyes. "That may be true but being outside will kill her as well. She almost froze last night."
Arngeir walked up and put his hand on Ragnthor's shoulder. "Peace brother. She can wait in the courtyard behind the building. There is no wind and we keep a bonfire burning at all times."
Ragnthor nodded and turned to Lydia. "Do you think it would be too much trouble to take Slasher and stand by the bonfire out back?"
Lydia shook her head and whistled for Slasher and walked out the door. Ragnthor turned back to face Arngeir. By that time the other Grey Beards had come. Ragnthor bowed to them.
"Teach me what it means to be Dragonborn, masters."
Lydia
It was long after she left that the first sounds reached her ears. They sounded like thunder but coming from inside. She wondered what it was as she walked over to the fire. She sat down on the ground as Slasher put his head on her lap.
"Thank you for helping to keep me warm last night. I have never been so cold in my life." He looked up at her with knowing eyes.
She smiled and rubbed his head. "Did Ragnthor do anything to me last night?"
He lifted his head and looked at her like Well he saved your life.
She rubbed his head some more. "Well I guess he did do that didn't he." He put his head back down.
She looked around and marveled at the stillness hear. It was peaceful. More so than most of the places she had been her whole life. It wasn't long until they came out. They stood in a circle and looked like they were talking about something.
Then one of them walked over and stood between 2 posts. There was a sound like a gust of wind and suddenly he was 20 yards away from where he was. Then Ragnthor walked over. He stood there for a moment the he did the same thing. Lydia was awestruck at the sight.
She wondered at the power Ragnthor possessed to be able to do such things. "He really must be Dragonborn."
Soon they had walked back inside. Suddenly there was a loud noise like lighting had just struck over her head and the mountain shook. This went on for several minutes then stopped as suddenly as it had begun. Soon Ragnthor walked out and over to her.
"Well they settled it. I am Dragonborn."
Lydia stood. "What did you do in there?"
Ragnthor laughed. "It was a bunch of pomp and ceremony. What happened is there was a lot of talking and then they taught me some more of the dragon language and then had me try it out. Then we came out here and I learned another word and tried it as well. Then we went back inside and talked some more. Then they spoke to me with their unhindered voice. It was loud and made me feel both small and weak and mighty and powerful at the same time. I would wager that caused some effects out here. But since I didn't die I am Dragonborn."
They started walking back to their horses. "I also got sucked into doing something for them. But we won't have to go out of our way. It just a quick swim across the river near Solitude and then a quick slog through some swamp."
When they reached their horses they swung on. "Now since the trail is alright broke I bet if we put our heels to our horses we should reach Ivarstead just after dark."
With that he took off and Lydia kicked Black Moon and followed.
-Authors note: Round 7 and you get to hear me again because this one had an original Author's note. And here it is: Sorry this one took around a week to come out. Life can suck. And the last half of this chapter had to wait until I played the game up to this point so I could get it rightish. And the next chapter will most likely be coming at this pace because I need to play the game as I write. It might be even slower when I finally get a job.