A Wood Elf's Life in Skyrim

Escaping Helgen

My name is Valerica Xilzeiros, I am a wood elf from Valenwood. I was once a part of a wealthy family there, the name Valenwood carried a great deal of weight. I however couldn't have cared less about the 9 letters that followed my name. I was a selfish girl, the one who loved to party and play the lute with her friends. I enjoyed spending time in the taverns and spending away my family's money without a care. All that changed the night of my 21st birthday. 

My family was throwing a celebration for me, but I didn't care to attend. I was out drinking the night away all on my own. When I returned home the next morning, everyone was covered in blood. My parents, my older brother, all were dead. Slain by vampires passing through the town. Had I been there could it have made a difference? That thought haunts me to this day. It's been two years since that dreadful night. I wish I had been there for my family, that I had valued them before it was too late. I wish that just once I had put them before myself, but I can't change the past.

Life throws me many obstacles and I feel as though I have no compass, no plan. This morning I found myself regaining consciousness on a waggon, my first thought was cursing the blasted cold. Last thing I remember was walking through the woods collecting wildflowers, now here I am. My hands are bound and my mouth is gagged, three strange men sit with me. Their hands are bound as well, however only one of the men are gagged like me.

"Hey you, you're finally awake," the blond man across from me catches my attention, he's rather handsome I'd say. "You were trying to cross the boarder, right? Walked right into that imperial ambush, same as us, and that thief over there."

Imperial ambush? Oh by the eight- don't tell me I am in Skyrim?!? I was picking wildflowers, how could something as innocent as that get me in this mess? I look at the thief next to the man in front of me.

"Damn you Stormcloaks," I assume he is referring to the other two men. "Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I could have stolen that horse and been half way to Hammerfell. You there-" He looked towards me and I internally begged him not to drag me into this nonsensical debate. "You and me- we shouldn't be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire wants."

At least we can agree on that much, I was only picking flowers afterall.

"We're all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief." The blond retorted.

I suppose he's right, but what about me? I am innocent, surely they intend to release me. If not, then where are we headed anyway?

"Shut up back there!" The soldier commanded from his seat at the head of the carriage, unfortunately the thief didn't care much for his words.

""And what's wrong with him?" He said gesturing to the man beside me, growing curious I lean in.

"Watch your tongue!" The blond yelled out. "You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High King."

Ulfric? I have never heard this name, although I never cared much for politics, much less the happenings of Skyrim. Why on Earth would someone who seems so important be bound as a prisoner though? My anxiety rises as I question just what it is I've gotten involved in

"Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm?" The thief says quickly all in one breath, he sounds as anxious as I feel. "You're the leader of the rebellion. But if they captured you... Oh Gods, where are they taking us?"

Rebellion? I thought the blonde said he was a High King, I am utterly lost here. All I know is it sounds bad for me, and even worse for "High King Ulfric".

"I don't know where we're going, but Sovngarde awaits." The blond looks out to the village ahead of us and shakes his head.

"No, this can't be happening. This isn't happening." I can sympathize with the thief, we seem to be getting dragged into something far beyond the two of us.