SO...Yeah I somehow missed putting this chapter in the story...-.-' I was rereading the story and noticed something missing. Don't hurt me too much...Sorry you guys.
~Ace
Chapter 6
"Seven thousand steps...what on oblivion was I thinking?" Kili mumbled to herself as she clutched her cloak tighter to her body. Now that she was cold; her being a Nord handled that for her. The wind however was problem, dries out ones skin, and causes it to rash.
"Are you all right my Thane?" Lydia asked over the howling wind.
Kili bit her lip and held back a harsh response. "I'm fine Lydia, however if you continue to not use my name, we will have a problem..." she growled up and she pushed farther up the stairs, trying not to slip on the ice.
"Forgive me, it was how I was trained," Lydia said softly as she hurried up behind her Thane.
"There isn't any need for forgiveness Lydia. But my parents named me of a reason, as did your parents. So please, call me by my name, not a title that will mean anything when I pass from this world." Kili said as she turned to her housecarl. "If you do not deem yourself worthy to call me by my name, call me 'My Lady' if you must."
Lydia smiled and nodded. "Yes My Lady,"
Kili nodded and turned back to the old stairs. 'So much for a pilgrimage...' she thought sourly.
The two continued up the ragged steps of the mountain, about half way up the path the stairs stirred off though an under pass. Kili looked around the pass, sensing something wrong.
"Lydia, something's not right." Kili said to her housecarl in a bitter whisper that floated away with the wind.
Lydia drew her sword and shield. "I'll go first then"
"Be careful."
As the pair crept through the pass, a growl echoed above them on the snowy cliff. Lydia stopped and looked up came face to face with a six eyed ice troll. His nostrils flared as it smelled their scents, trying to pick out which one of the women that it would like to eat first.
"Kili, stay close to me," Lydia whispered.
Kili slowly move behind Lydia, not being able to fight back was a first for her. The only thing she could do was pray to the Divines that they made it through this as quickly as possible.
The troll continued to watch them as Lydia moved closer to it. He growled once more and jumped down to them. Then with terrorizing roar he charged them.
Lydia acted quickly and brought her shield up and blocked the trolls charge. Then gritting her teeth she used all the strength she could muster onto pushing the beast back. Then as the monster stumbled back stunned, she swung her sword up and stabbed the blade through the creatures' skull. The troll slumped over as Lydia removed her blade.
"Ow..." Lydia muttered and she kneeled on her knee, removing her shield to look at her arm.
Kili kneeled next to her and looked her arm as well, "Doesn't look broken, just bruised."
"I'm all right, let's keep going. We need to get to High Hrothgar. I do not want to be on this mountain, in the storm at night," the housecarl said as her Thane helped her to her feet.
"Agreed."
"So this is High Hrothgar?" Kili asked as she stared up at the ebony colored fortress.
"I would guess, never seen it in person before." Lydia answered as they walked up the steps to the fortress.
Kili moved forward with a sigh, "Let's get this over with..."
Kili used her shoulder to push open the door and let Lydia enter first, and then she followed close behind. They walked through the dark halls and to the main room that was light through a hole in the ceiling.
"It's been decades sense a stranger has entered the halls of High Hrothgar." a voice stated.
Four men dressed in dark blue robes stepped into view surrounding the two women.
"What brings you to High Hrothgar?" the same voice as before asked.
"I am answering your summons." Kili answered
"So...the Dovakiin is finally revealed, or one who thinks that they are Dovakiin..." the monk said as he stood in front of Kili. "We will see if you truly have the gift."
"How will you do that?"
"We will test your voice."
"You have lost your mind!" Kili shouted out.
"Do not worry, if you do have to gift, your voice will not harm us."
Kili looked over at Lydia, who only shrugged in response. Kili sighed and turned back to the monk before her.
"FUS!" she shouted and a force pushed though her mouth stunning the monk, and knocking his balance off a bit.
"You are the Dragonborn..." the monk said as he tried to catch his breath.
'Was there any doubt...?' Kili thought, scrunching her eyebrows together.
"I am Master Arngeir; it is an honor to finally meet a Dovakiin, in this life time."
Kili raised an eyebrow to the monks' words. "You mean to say I am the only one?"
"Either the last Dragonborn, or the only one who has been awoken, we do not know." Arngeir said as he reproached her. "Now you are here because we summoned you correct?"
Kili nodded.
"Then we must not wait anytime. We, Greybeards, are here to serve you Dovakiin, in the Way of the Voice as best we can."
"So I am here for training then. To use the Thu'um?" Kili asked
"Yes, we will teach you what we can my dear, we will began when you are ready." Arngeir said motioning the others to come closer.
Kili turned to Lydia, "Get comfortable my friend; looks like we will be here for some time."
~*~*~8~*~*~
"Your progress in the Way of Voice is...astonishing." Arngeir said as Kili walked back across the courtyard from using her new shout to increase her speed.
"Thank you Master, but, I thought it was easy for everyone?" she asked, curiosity filling her thoughts.
The older man chuckled, "My dear, it takes years for a mere mortal to learn even the simplest of words. But you have the in born gift, your soul and blood is of a dragon. So shouting comes natural to you. What took you less than a weeks' time, took me at least thirty years, others more than that."
Kili nodded, "So what else am I learning today Master?"
"Nothing to be learned yet my dear, but a task we have for you." Arngeir answered.
"What is this task?"
"We need you to retrieve The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. He was our founder back in the first age. The horn can be found in his tomb northwest of Whiterun. But don't think of this as priority, you still have bruises to heal, wait until you are ready to do this task then return the horn here." the master said softly
"I will not let you down master," Kili said with a bow, then ran off to find Lydia, and head out for Whiterun.
"Take your time Kili. The path of wisdom will wait!" Arngeir shouted as she ran inside, "Such an ambitious child."
"So how does it feel to be the Dragonborn?" Lydia asked as she and her Thane made their way down the mountain.
"The same as I've been every day of my life, only now my voice is a weapon." Kili said rolling her eyes.
"Nothing special?"
"No Lydia..." the Dragonborn muttered.
They two women continued their journey back to Whiterun talking about their past. Family, dreams, and other topics similar. Then Kili remember something.
"Lydia, you know most people in Whiterun yes?"
"Yes, are you looking for someone?" the housecarl asked.
"Do you know anyone by the name of Runa?" Kili asked softly.
"Yes, she's one of the town bards. She works at the Battle-borns' Inn in the Wind district. Why my lady, do you know her?" Lydia asked curious to her Thane's actions.
"Not personally, but a friend of mine wishes to see her again. I promised I would get word to her for him," Kili said with a small smile.
"Of course, I will show you to her when we return."
"Thank you, so...what can you tell me about the Companions?"
To be continued...