Faas Ni, Dii Kiir.

Going Home

It's been a few weeks since I first met the Greybeards and it has been absolutely wonderful! They have been so wonderful and caring...what more could a girl want? They taught so much I could barely contain my fascination let alone my excitement! They told me all about the war between the Dragons and the people of Tamriel as seen by those mortals who were living in those times and how the Dovahkiin went all the way to Sovngarde to defeat the mighty Alduin for good. And last but certainly not least, they taught me how to bake. Alright, the last one isn't as epic but it was still fun! The secrets of honey glazed sweet rolls was finally mine!

High Hrothgar was almost exploding with books and scrolls! Bookshelves and alcoves filled up almost every wall and everywhere else (save for their large bedroom and a meeting hall) was taken up with stone tables and chairs for reading said books. I couldn't read any of them sadly but whenever I came across I book that just felt good, Arngir was always happy to read them out loud to me no matter what the books were about. Sometimes they were boring books about old laws from places like Cyrodiil or about dumb old bugs but many were incredibly interesting. In particular, I loved the Book of the Dragonborn and the books on the Nightengales, the legendary thieves dedicated to the Daedric Prince Nocturnal who wore black hooded armor and were considered some of the best bowmen in Tamriel.

Only Arngir could speak without making the walls shake like the world was ending so most of my lessons came from him though a few of my other grandpas would teach me Dovahzul from time to time whenever Arngir was asleep or otherwise busy. They were all such sweet and gentle grandpas to me that I wished I could stay with them forever, learning and practicing my Dovah and my baking skills until I became a Greybeard myself! (Well...at least in name. I don't want a beard!)

As I packed my bag to leave, Arngeir comes into my room to bid goodbye with one last hug. He had tears in his eyes as he admitted it was difficult for them to let me go away again after I had brought them such a 'youthful joy such as we have not experienced in many a year.' With a gentle kiss to my forehead, he told me that I was always welcome to High Hrothgar and that on the behalf of the Greybeards, he wished to say they loved me. Both as a willing student as well as an adopted granddaughter of sorts. He chuckled as he commented that it was amusing to be called 'grandpa' when Bormah was far older than he ever would be but he accepted the title gladly and with a hint of giddy excitement. If only the Dovahkiin could have seen them now...

Sadly...it was time for me to return back to Bormah's side. It had been almost a month since I had seen him as he had chosen to return to the Throat of the World to meditate upon the Thu'um and watch over Tamriel. It was hard to say goodbye to the Greybeards after getting so attached to them as teachers and grandpas but it was time to give my big old Dragon dad some love as well. I wish I could say I didn't cry as I hugged and kissed each one of the Greybeards as I walked to the door leading outside but I would be a liar if I did. I was happy to know though that I could return at any time and they would have my small stone bedroom, adorned more lavishly than their own with sweet smelling flowers and a silky fur bedroll, ready and waiting for me with a fire in the little stone hearth at the foot of my bed.

As I shut the door behind me, I am greeted by the sound of Odahviing's breathing as he waits for me to finish my goodbyes, the warmth of his breath wafting over my face in stark contrast to the frigid air of High Hrothgar.

"Ahnok, Odahviing! Hello, Odahviing!" I call out to him, reaching out a hand to feel his warm snout in greeting.

He huffs a small but loud chuckle before nuzzling me with his nose, causing me to fall on my rear and giggle. You always had to be careful when nuzzling with a Dragon as even the smallest movements can be stronger than any normal mortal but I didn't mind. I had missed being close to my Dovah family members and 'seeing' Uncle Odahviing was well worth the pain of landing on the cold stone steps of High Hrothgar.

"Drem Yol Lok, Okaaz Kiir! Greetings, Sea Child!" He booms gently in his deep comforting tones, his long tongue gently licking my cheek in a Dragon's Kiss.

I giggle louder at the name he gave me when I first met him, which he told me was based on my hair and eye color. He seemed fascinated by the colors I could not see for myself and had more than once told me how often he wished to travel to the sea to go hunting for the large sea creatures he had heard swam beneath the waves of the Eltheric Ocean near the Summerset Isles. I too wished to travel to the sea though not to hunt gigantic fish and fight colossal sea serpents like he did. Rather, I wanted to go simply to touch the water...to dive beneath the waves and search for seashells and pearls to give to Bormah or sell to make money to buy Bormah something. I didn't know what he possibly could want but I still wished to get him something as a token of my thanks to him for taking me under his wing when he could have just as easily left me where I was when he found me as a child. (Or...he could have just eaten me as a very small snack...)

"We must depart young one, your father grows anxious without you near." He says gently, his snout pressing lightly into my back to urge me down the snow covered steps.

I nodded in response as I climbed onto his back with his help, the many spines on his back making it easy to climb. Once I was secure on his neck jest behind his head, he took off, the cold wind hitting my face with stinging daggers of ice forcing me to duck my head down and pull my fur-lined hood low over my face. I must had fallen asleep because next thing I knew I awoke at Bormah's side, his deep level breathing familiar and blessedly warm and comforting compared to the icy gale of the mountain.

"Ahnok, Bormah! Hello, father!" I squeal, snuggling deeper into his side against his hard warm scales.

"Ahnok, Dii Mon. Hello,my child. You awaken at last. Drey Hi Kovir Hinmaar? Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked as he kisses my cheek, his breath smelling like elk meat which made me hungry.

I nod frantically, smiling wide as I say, "Yes, Bormah! Thank you for the opportunity to see them! They were the best grandpas ever! They taught me so much about the Dragons and the Dovahkiin and they even taught me how to bake!"

I feel his muscles move as he nods in response before curling his head around me like a snake around her young. His scales are rough and hardly comfortable but I never minded. Bormah was always gentle with me and I would rather sleep against his scales forever than on a bed of the softest furs in all of Tamriel. At least my bed could scare away any monsters that creeped in the dark and breathe fires hotter than the Skyforge!

"Bormah Staavek Hi. Bormah missed you." He whispered before nuzzling his nose into me, causing a small giggle to escape me which eventually turned into laughter from both of us as it escalated to a tickle war between us. He naturally won eventually because I was becoming short of breath while he seemed as calm and even as ever. I lie there panting before yawning and curling close to him. I hear a small but booming chuckle before he began singing a soft lullaby in Dovahzul and giving me a goodnight kiss. 

I'm glad I came home.