Faas Ni, Dii Kiir.

Group of Grandpas

 I squealed so loud in joy that I swear to Akatosh could have raised the dead and sent them fleeing in fear. Regardless, I could give less than a passing care because Bormah finally gave me his blessing to travel up the mountain to meet... THE GREYBEARDS! I'm so happy and excited! He has told me all there is to know about them but I still had to beg for weeks on end to meet them. When he finally gave in and said yes, he made me promise I take extra precautions which meant I was to travel with Odahviing alongside me so I don't end up nearly throwing myself off the mountain accidentally... again.

Anyway, the moment Bormah gave his blessing, I grabbed all the necessities for the journey such as food, water skins, some clothes and last, but not least, my seeing stick that I had named Koraav after the Dovah verb 'to see'. Once I am ready, I nod in the direction of what I know is the mouth of the cave where my escort is waiting. I take the time to give Bormah a long hug and a loving peck on his warm scaly cheek before grabbing my bag and heading onto the path. It was a mildly long journey with a few stops to speak to some local residents climbing the 7,000 Steps to see the Greybeards. Either seeking their wisdom and council or to simply deliver them food and other supplies as well as stopping to feel the ancient stones along  the path, some of which I picked up to keep as a memento of my first climb up to High Hrothgar, the monastery of the Greybeards.

Along the path there are also several small stone shrines, known by the locals below as Wayshrines, which gave a shorter version of the story Bormah told of the history of Skyrim and of his coming and helping the people of Tamriel fight their oppressors the Dragons. Odahviing took the time to tell me their stories and alerted me of all that was beyond the reach of my Koraav. A few pilgrims making the climb would pause to mediate and pray at these shrines, leaving small offerings of mountain flowers and the odd gemstones Bormah called Silgolz or Soul Stones, which he said contained the Souls of foes killed in battle. I found that idea frightening...that a Necromancer could sneak upon me as I slept and snatch my Soul away into a tiny stone to be used to power some evil magic.

As we reached the summit of the mountain, the snow and wind becoming more and more icy and violent, Odahviing landed as gently as a mighty Dragon could beside me to shelter me under his wing and breathe his warm breath on my frozen hands and face. It was strange to have none but Dragons to call my father and friend but it was comforting to be watched over by such large, warm and compassionate beings such as Bormah and Odahviing. My clothes had been brought to Bormah by the Greybeards who had requested them from those pilgrims who brought them their supplies. I could only imagine the questions and looks on their faces as they brought up several large robes for grown men and a few small ones to fit a young girl. They were soft and very warm to wear which was a blessing when living on the tallest mountain in Tamriel where snow, frost and cold winds were almost constant and though I couldn't see them, I could feel the small bits of jewelry and wolf fur that adorned it. I felt pretty wearing them and Bormah always complimented me, he being my eyes to see what beauty I had that I could not see for myself.

The path apparently became quite wide as Odahviing chose to walk beside me once more rather then glide nearby or overhead, his mighty paws strangely soft upon the snow covered ground we walked upon. He growled lowly at something up ahead, a sign of danger I had grown to recognize and react to. As I made myself small upon the snowy floor becoming less of a target for whatever it was that had Odahviing concerned, I heard him below forth the Fire Shout all Dragons knew from birth and the wailing growls of something quite large and angry. I could only guess what it was and I had to assume it was one of those awful Frost Trolls Bormah had told me lived upon the mountain with us. I had never met one but I knew enough of their fierce nature to fear them. Although...soon the growling ended and Odahviing returned to my side, seemingly contented with his kill and judging by the sounds of snapping and tearing, he was also making a meal of his kill as well. There was nothing to fear when a Dragon walks beside you!

When we finally arrived at the doors of High Hrothgar, Odahviing graciously informed me he could not enter with me as his size was far too large for the small human sized doors leading inside.  I felt my way up the curving stairs leading to the doors, the Koraav helping me feel where every step lay and I put my hand upon the cold stone door.

"Go forth young one!" Called Odahviing encouragingly. "You have naught to fear from these old men for they are men of peace and meditation. Though human, we Dov both fear and respect these students of the Thu'um. Their wisdom rivals that of our own!"

Bolstered by his encouragement, I immediately turned and felt High Hrothgar's presence... to the face. Hard... I turned and walked face-first into the door, alright? Anyway, after opening the door, I was immediately greeted with blessedly warm air. Slowly, I walked down a corridor until I arrived in a big, empty room with whispering echos of a single voice echoing off the walls. Someone was near but I could not tell who.

"Hello?" I call to the direction of the whispers. "Are you the Greybeards...?"

"You have finally arrived, young one. We've been waiting for your arrival." I hear the old, almost hoarse voice get closer.

I reached a hand out to grip his in greeting before I am suddenly pulled into a hug.

"Welcome to the family, dear child. I am Arngeir and I speak for the Greybeards."

After the initial shock of the embrace, I reciprocate it lovingly. "I am Pheha Vaneque and it is amazing to meet you! Bormah has told me so much about you!"

After sharing a few more pleasantries between each other, Arngeir took me to meet everyone else. I was soon embraced by a group of robed men, giggling to myself as their beards tickled my face. They were so nice and sweet, like a big group of grandpas. A group of grandpas who could call fire down from the sky and send people flying just by yelling at them. Still, I was happy to be with them. First I got a daddy and now I had a group of grandpas to call my own!

I can't wait for all the fun we'll have!