Disclaimer: I only own a copy of Skyrim.
"It is not just my illness," Klimmek admitted when I accepted the supplies from his wife. "I am old, lad. These knees can not climb stairs like they used to."
"The Companions are willing to to carry the supplies up until somebody here is up to the task," I responded. He gave a smile. "Now you rest, sir. I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Divines bless you," he half-wheezed, coughing some. His wife immediately came to his aid, handing a tankard of water to him, which he accepted.
I shifted the supply back on my shoulders and looked up at the 7,000 steps. It would certainly be a long journey.
I panted heavily as I delivered the final blow. The frost troll collapsed on it side and with a final groan, died. I fell to my knees as well, clutching my arm. Every little movement it made caused serious pain. My side gave a good gash that was oozing crimson blood. Blinking back tears, I looked up. It could be that much further to the Greybeards. Surely I could make it to the top. I was probably closer to them than Ivarstead. Might as well continue the trip.
Legs wobbly, I pushed myself to a standing position, using my good arm to pick up the supply bag before heading up the mountain. It was a lot long than I thought. By the time I finally saw High Hrothgar, I was about to pass out. I struggled to open the chest and throw the supply bag in. The lid shut, I slumped to sit with my back against the chest. My eyes drooped, feeling exhausted. My pained arm was resting on the open gash.
I heard some footsteps, following by words that made the earth tremble some.
"Little Dovahkiin."
I woke up slowly, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. My arm and side felt a lot better, even though I had no idea where I was or the reason behind the lack of pain.
My body felt too lazy to move, so I laid there until I heard footsteps approach me.
"Little Dovahkiin," a voice acknowledged me. I used all my remaining strength to sit up. It definitely wasn't who found me. This greeting didn't shake the earth. Or was that just part of my imagination? A man looked up and down at me. "Well...it may not be fair to call you...little anymore."
"What's Dovahkiin?" I asked. The term felt familiar, the nickname something I knew I should remember. But I didn't.
"Means Dragonborn, little Dovahkiin," the man responded gently. He then gave me an odd look. "Do you not remember me?"
"I don't remember much before my seventh year," I admitted. He nodded.
"You were in your fourth year when your mother brought you here," he told me. "The most adorable Dovahkiin any of us had ever seen."
I shook my head.
"Can't be. My mother died when I was a babe, and I spent all my life in up until recently," I responded. He tilted his head in curiosity.
"Now I know that's not true, Lucien. Your mother was very alive and healthy when she brought you here. She still comes here on occasion seeking more words of power and training in the way of the Voice. In fact, she was here shortly under two years ago."
"My name is Mathies," I said. I gave a small smile. "I think you're mistaking me for somebody else. Farkas said I have one of those faces that always reminds somebody of somebody else."
He shook his head firmly.
"Others may believe so, but you must know, little Dovahkiin, that very few make the full climb to the 7,000 steps. And even fewer come and stand before us. I have never forgotten a single face since I came here to master the Voice," he told me. I slipped off the bed I was in.
"Thank you for taking care of my injuries," I began. "But I must be going."
"Where are you headed?" he inquired.
"I'm part of the Companions now," I told him. He smiled brightly and nodded.
"Such honorable men," he murmured. "Take care, little Dovahkiin."
"Why do you call me that?" I asked, putting my armor on. "Little Dovahkiin?"
"When you first came here, you showed us the power of the Thu'um in a way only a Dovahkiin can," he said. I gave a small smile.
"I'm not a Dragonborn," I insisted. He just rose an eyebrow.
"If you insist," he said softly. He showed me the way out, and I made my way back down.
Two years passed and it was nearing my twentieth year. I went through my trial and was sworn to be a Companion. Henrik quickly became my best friend. He was a tad slow, like his father Farkas, but he was strong and a great partner to accompany me on Companion jobs. We both had been invited to become part of the Circle, although Henrik agreed and I declined. I knew that I had to leave upon my twentieth year, so I did not see any point in establishing a high rank within the Companions.
I settled into the habit of doing my Companion work by day with Henrik and when I was able to, spending my nights at the Bannered Mare to eat my supper and listen to Parwen's music. I never really paid at the Bannered Mare, especially when Henrik was with me. His mom owned the Bannered Mare, so we ate for free. When I came alone, his mom would smile and tell me that it was on the house on occasion of my hard work as a Companion. As for Parwen, we had become closer, though we never established any romance. Enough of a relationship to call her a good friend. Henrik teased me constantly over her, and in return I would tease him for how sweet he was on the mercenary for hire in the Drunken Huntsman, the Dunmer woman.
My hair grew, and I cut it so that the world could see the copper instead of blond. It looked a bit weird at first, but then as it grew more, it settled into a more normal look.
"Are you going to finish that?" Henrik asked me, eying the forgotten apple in my hand. I snorted and tossed it to him. He caught it and hungrily took a bite. My large friend was always hungry. "So...you're leaving soon?"
"It seems so," I replied sadly, looking up at the sky as it began to darken for the night. I was lying on the grass next to the courtyard, Henrik sitting in one of the chairs that allowed him to hide from the sun.
During this small relaxation time, I was going over my regrets, such as not returning to the Greybeards for answers. I couldn't believe I didn't ask for more information on what they knew about me, but it just seemed so...absurd that I would be a Dragonborn. A little Dovahkiin. I also regretted some of the just bad decisions I made on the job. Tied with the Greybeards, one of my biggest regrets was not spending more time with Parwen.
"You going to tell her before you go?" Henrik asked. He always seemed to know when my thoughts drifted to her. I had briefly considered it. I was to leave in a week's time.
"No point. I take my leave soon. Why tell her and then leave her behind?" I asked with a shrug of my shoulders.
"Take her with you," he suggested. "She has an Amulet of Mara."
"How do you know?" I asked, a tad suspicious. He chuckled.
"I did not learn from staring at her, if that is your belief," he said with a smile. "I do not chase after my friend's woman. My mother told Father this morning that she gave Parwen her old Amulet of Mara."
I just nodded the best I could from my position.
"Henrik, Mathies," Kodlak's voice called out to us. I sat up to see the man standing by the doors. "I have a job for you."
"Anything Kodlak," Henrik responded.
"I need you to go to Dawnstar and escort the new shipment that's coming in to here in Whiterun," he said. He looked at me. "I understand that this might keep you past your expected leaving date...but I sure if you write to your father and tell him that you wish to complete one last job for the Companions, he will understand."
"I'll send a letter tonight," I promised.
"And you two can leave in the morning," Kodlak told us before he walked back inside.
"Our last job together as Companions," Henrik sighed. "It is sad. We will miss you as one of us."
"I will miss being a Companion," I agreed.
"One last drink at the Bannered Mare?"
"We have to go to Dawnstar tomorrow," I reminded him.
"We won't drink that much," he promised.
"You say that each time, and every morning that followed we are too hungover to do anything," I grinned.
"I mean it this time!" Henrik laughed. He stood from his chair. He extended his hand and all but yanked me off the ground.
"I'm sad to see you see, Mathies," Ysolda told me sorrowfully as she handed me a bottle of mead. "I do hope you can return."
"I love it here," I confessed, accepting it. "I hope I can return one day as well."
"If you ever do return, the Companions will always be glad to have you back," Henrik hiccuped.
"Jenassa is here," I said, motioning to the woman who had just entered. Henrik immediately stood and walked over to her. She had to be many years older than him, but he remained sweet on her. Somebody took Henrik's seat.
Speaking of people to be sweet on.
Parwen smiled at me, tucking some hair behind an ear.
"I hear you're going to Windhelm next week," she spoke up.
"I might leave later," I explained. "Henrik and I are doing one last job together, escorting a shipment to here."
"We will all miss you here," she said softly. I glanced down and saw the Amulet of Mara Henrik had mentioned around her neck.
"Perhaps you could come with me," I suggested. I barely realized I said that until I saw the look of interest on her face.
"Is there an Inn in Windhelm?" she asked.
"There is," I responded.
"And do they need a bard?"
"Even if they don't, I'm sure they would hire a second one."
"Then I would love to accompany you," she responded, her smile brightening. "One thing though. Are you interested in me?"
I knew I was flushing red at this point, turning away from her. Thank the Gods Ysolda didn't light too many candles and torches for fear of a fire.
"Yes," I finally replied after a moment's pause. "Are you interested in me?"
"Very much," came the quiet response. I turned my gaze back to her. She was a bright pink herself.
"We could stop in Riften before Windhelm," I suggested.
"That would be lovely," she told me, kissing me briefly before standing. "Now I must work. If I do not see you before you leave tomorrow, then just know I'll be counting the days until your return."
I didn't speak, just smiled dumbly and nodded.
After some more mead, (but not much, since one of us needed a level head in order to travel and it seemed like Henrik was not planning on slowing his drink anytime soon) I went home to write to my father, leaving Henrik in the Bannered Mare as he did everything short of shouting it to get the Dunmer's attention.
Father,
I know my twentieth year approaches, and I will head home. First, I am completing my final job for the Companions, a simple job in which I will help escort a shipment to prevent a bandit raid. Then as I travel to Windhelm, I have made plans to stop in Riften and marry my beloved. I know that you will love your daughter-in-law. I certainly due. When I finish these things, I will arrive as quickly as my horse can take me there.
Mathies
Paying a courier, he watch them scurry off before laying his head in the Companions bed for the last time.
"Ha! I knew that you two would end up wedded," Henrik laughed. I moved my horse closer to his so that I could push him. He nearly lost his balance, but steadied himself.
"We're almost to Dawnstar," I said, changing the subject. Henrik just grinned, shaking his head.
When we reached our destination, we were told that the shipment came in early the next morning. We made ourselves comfortable in the Windpeak Inn. It was then that it happened.
"Lucien. I have waited so long for you to be close enough to hear my voice."
I immediately looked around for the voice's source, but found nobody. That name again: Lucien. What the Greybeard insisted my name was. It was weird...oddly weird...being called that.
"Lucien, my son. Your father prays at my coffin nightly for the return of his children, and your mother still searches for you and your sister."
I shrieked in fright, my sweetroll flying in the air. Henrik caught it and took a bite out of it.
"You alright?" he asked, examining me up and down.
"I...I just thought I heard something," I said gave me a weird look, but questioned no further.
"My Listener is gone, Lucien. Something has happened to her. First, go to Riften, my child. In Honorhall Orphanage, there is a little girl that goes by Karita. She is your sister. Bring my child home to me, at the Dawnstar Sanctuary."
I didn't flip out at the voice this time, just had an odd expression that Henrick once again questioned. I shrugged it off, and he eventually forgot.
Parwen was waiting for me at Jorvaskrr. I responded warmly to her embrace and kiss before we packed our things. After a final goodbye from my Companion family and Bannered Mare friends, Parwen and I hired a carriage to Riften. We were married in the small Temple of Mara by an overemotional priest. I then took my new wife to our room in the Bee and Barb, and well, I'm sure you know.
The next morning, Parwen busied herself in the market to buy supplies to last us to Windhelm. This was when I went to check out the orphanage. I knew that even if the voice was wrong, I could always just donate some money.
It was quite clean. I walked in, nearly trampled by three boys that were running around before I saw a woman going over some books with a man.
"May I help you?" the woman asked.
"My sister is here," I found myself saying. "Her name is Karita."
"What proof you have of your kinship to her?" the man wondered suspiciously.
"Calm yourself, Lars. This man looks exactly like our little Karita," the woman scolded him lightly as she stood. "I'm positive he is her kin."
"Pardon me, Constance, but I just want to be assured that our children wouldn't be given away to just anybody," Lars apologized. Constance patted his back lovingly, showing that his apology was accepted before calling for Karita.
I felt like I was looking at myself when I was her age, if Neesha had allowed my hair to stay copper. She seemed on the brink of teenhood, copper hair just a bit longer than mine. Same nose, lips, cheeks, eyes, same everything. Everything I saw on her was the exact same features I found in a mirror image of myself.
"By the Gods, you two are a mirror image of each other," Lars marveled, staring at the two of us. Constance agreed, but Karita stayed quiet.
After some more conversation, I took Karita's hand and led her to the carriage, where I promised Parwen I would meet her. My wife was, very understandingly, shocked that I had a little girl with me.
"She's my little sister," I explained to her. She took one more look at me before accepting my answer. She almost had no choice. We looked too much alike to deny it. I helped Parwen into the carriage before lifting Karita up into it. I climbed in between them and we headed to Windhelm. Parwen leaned against me, and Karita snuggled into my side.
"Thank you for taking me out of Honorhall," she murmured.