An Unbroken Story

A beginning

"Why does Winterhold have to be cold?" I ask myself. I see an elk in the distance. I'm not feeling that hungry, but I will be. I pull out my bow & arrows. I take aim. Why does the elk remind me so much of Enski? Enski is a wood elf. She goes by Enski Starfall sometimes."Wake up!" an echo says."Who are you?""Doesn't matter, wake up, or you will be killed!"I sit up. Nothing seems out of place. Then I hear a snort.I look out to see a huge bear. I cover my mouth & bite my lip to stop from screaming. I grab my steel sword.I hear it rummaging through my stuff.I sneak behind it."HURAA!" I cry as I trust my blade into its heart.It starts hyperventilating, then falls. It shudders, then dies. "I might make the fur into a cloak. Or something along those lines." I say.I take out my map & quill for writing. I circle where Windhelm is at."Perfect. That will teach that imperial bastard that I hate him. I HATE YOU HERMMSKR PURE-BLOOD! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU DAD!" I yell.The wind is cold here."So, I have to go south... which way is south again?" I ask myself.I look up to find a crescent moon."Wasn't there a way to find the South by making an imaginary line between the spokes?" I question myself. I find the way south. After a few hours, I spot another elk. I take aim & kill it."I'm sorry, Mr. Elk." I say. I take the edible parts & move on. It's getting really cold. I make a small fire. I cook the meat. I look up to find a beautiful sky looking down."Oh wow... That is breath-taking!" I say softly.I exhale & a cloud comes out. I laugh a little.I eat a bit of meat."So... c-c-cold" I say. I pass out.When I awake, I'm in an inn-like place. I sit up."Welcome to Candlehearth Hall, traveler. Some people saw you in the cold snow. Brought you up here. If it weren't for them, you would have died. I'm Elda, the inn-keeper." Elda tells me."Oh, well... Thank you. I'm Athena Pure-Blood. This is Windhelm, correct?""Yes. Planning on joining the Stormcloaks?""Yeah... for more reasons than one. I don't want to talk about it, though.""I'm fine with that.""What time is it now?" I stand up."Hm, about 7:00, maybe?"I go explore the Inn. It is nice and cozy."You know the usual, Elda!" I hear a guy call.He has golden blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, and a small beard."Who is this Elda?" he asks her."That is Athena. She was found on the road here. Actually, she wants to join the Stormcloaks." she hands him the bottle of mead."I'm Rolaf. Ulfric needs all the help he can get. We are going to cross the border today. Wanna see if you can do it?" he extends his hand."Nice to meet you. Perhaps. Are you sure he won't turn me away because I'm a girl?" I shake."For the love of Talos, no. We are more concerned about how well you wield a sword, lass, not your gender." he laughs."Heh. Dang it... can I stay at your place, Ralof?" I check my pockets. I pull out only 5 coins."Oh... um... sure. Where are you from, Athena? I'm from Riverwood." he asks."I don't want to talk about it. I'm not ready to talk about it." I can feel my eyes filling with tears."I'm not forcing you. Hey, hey..." he puts a hand on my shoulder.Ralof's place is a little tight, but it will do."What do you have, food-wise?" he asks."Um... I have some cooked elk meat... and apples." I say. I smile weakly."That will work. Do you have a title, or do you just go by Athena?""Ralof... these questions have a lot to do with my past. Might as well tell you. My father was a drunkard. My mom was really nice. When my dad became a bandit... she confronted him. He-" I get choked up. I start crying."I think I know what you are about to say. May her soul rest peacefully in Sovngarde. You don't have to tell it all to me now. Want some ale or mead?" He hugs me.