Elder Scrolls True Daughter of Skyrim

The night was still dark, but the battlefield was alive with the harsh sounds of clashing metal, the guttural growls of Uruk-hai, and the cries of dying men and elves. The ice elemental I had summoned earlier had held for hours, smashing through the lines of attackers like a juggernaut, but I could see the cracks spreading through its body. It wouldn't hold much longer.

And then, with a shattering crack that reverberated through the stone walls, the ice elemental collapsed, fragments scattering across the ground like broken glass. The enemy surged forward, hauling a massive battering ram toward the door. They were going to break through.

I was moving before I realized it, my boots slipping on the rain-slicked stone as I made my way toward the gate. The sound of the ram slamming against the wood echoed in my ears, a deep, rhythmic thud that made my heart race. There was no time to think, no time to hesitate.

An Uruk-hai broke through the line of defenders in front of me, its sword raised high. I didn't see it until it was almost too late, too close, too fast. But an arrow whizzed past my ear, embedding itself in the Uruk's throat. The creature fell, gurgling as it hit the ground. I turned to see Legolas on the wall above, his bow already drawn for another shot.

There was no time to thank him. The shift came naturally, My senses sharpened. I made for the gate, weaving between the bodies of fallen soldiers and elves. Uruk-hai were dying left and right, struck down by arrows, and blades. But they were still coming.

I slipped. The stone beneath my feet was slick with rain and blood, and before I could catch myself, I was falling. "Fuck!" The curse escaped my lips just as my body hit the ground, landing on something cold and hard. I realized too late that I'd fallen onto a dead Uruk-hai, its still-warm blood soaking into my armor.

I scrambled to my feet, the stench of death heavy in the air, my heart pounding in my chest. The gate was ahead, and beyond it, I could hear the battering ram slamming against the wood again and again.

 Elves and men fought side by side, some were tired. I could see it in the way they moved, slower with each passing second, their arms heavy with exhaustion. Uruk-hai were climbing the walls, cutting down defenders as they came, but still, they fought. Still, they resisted.

I pushed forward, ignoring the pain in my side from the fall, my eyes fixed on the gate. The ram would break through soon, and when it did, the fortress would be flooded with Uruk-hai. There was no stopping it, not unless we found a way to reinforce the door, to buy ourselves more time.

But there was no time to think, no time to plan. All I could do was move, to fight. The air was thick with the smell of blood and rain, and every breath I took felt like fire in my lungs. My hands tightened around the hilt of my sword as I pressed on, cutting down any Uruk-hai that crossed my path. 

The gate groaned under the pressure of the ram, wood splintering as the enemy continued their assault. I could feel it, the door giving way, and the cold realization that there was no way to stop it. We would have to make our stand here, behind the gate, or be overrun. 

I caught sight of Legolas again, his arrows flying, striking down Uruk-hai one after another. Nearby, Gimli was swinging his axe with wild abandon, his gruff shouts echoing over the sounds of battle. 

I slipped again, my feet sliding on the wet stone as I tried to regain my footing. Another "Fuck!" escaped me, this time more out of frustration than pain. I landed hard, my shoulder slamming into the ground as I cursed under my breath. I pushed myself up, forcing my legs to carry me forward.

The gate was ahead, and I could see the cracks forming in the wood, the splinters breaking off with each impact of the ram. I had to get there. I had to make it. 

The ram slammed into the gate again, and this time, I heard the unmistakable sound of wood breaking. The door wouldn't hold much longer.

I wiped the blood from my face, tasting metal on my lips as I took a breath, steadying myself. The enemy was coming, and we had little time left. 

The gate creaked again, the sound sharp and ominous in the air as the Uruk-hai slammed the battering ram harder. Aragorn's voice rang out over the chaos, commanding the retreat. "Fall back! Everyone, to the keep!"

I glanced toward him, seeing the determination in his eyes. The men and elves around me began to move, but I hesitated. There were still so many Uruk-hai swarming the gate.

Suddenly, pain. Blinding, searing pain.

I looked down in disbelief as a spear tore into my side, thrust with such force that I nearly doubled over. My armor caught part of the blow, but not enough. The spear had sunk almost halfway into my body. The world tilted, and I barely registered the shout that followed before a hand gripped the back of my tunic, yanking me back with a force that sent me reeling.

Boromir. He'd pulled me away, stopping the spear from running me through completely.

"Ellehish!" Boromir's voice was rough, filled with concern, but all I could focus on was the cold numbness creeping through my stomach as the spear was wrenched free. I gasped, blood already pooling in my mouth, the metallic taste sharp on my tongue.

My knees buckled, the strength draining from my limbs. I could barely hold onto my sword as I staggered, trying to stay on my feet, but it was useless. I was too tired. Too weak. The spear had done more damage than I realized.

I saw the Uruk-hai who had stabbed me, snarling as it moved closer to finish the job. But before it could strike again, Gimli leaped down from the wall, his axe raised high. With a ferocious cry, he brought the blade down, cleaving the Uruk-hai's skull in two. It collapsed in a heap beside me, its body twitching in the last moments of its life.

"Filthy beast," Gimli muttered, giving the body a swift kick before turning his attention to me. His face twisted in concern as he saw the blood staining my armor. "Lass, you've taken a nasty hit."

I tried to respond, but all that came out was a ragged breath, blood spilling from my lips. Boromir was already at my side, his arm slipping around my shoulders to keep me from collapsing completely.

"I've got you," he said, his voice steady despite the fear I saw in his eyes. "We're falling back. You're not dying here, not today."

I managed a weak smile, coughing up more blood. "Guess…we're even now," I rasped, the words painful but necessary.

Boromir gave a faint, grim chuckle. "Even indeed."

With surprising strength, Boromir hoisted me up, carrying me as though I weighed nothing. I could feel the warmth of my blood seeping through my armor, soaking into his tunic. 

The Wargs, Snuffles, Lady Fluffy, and Pudding, flanked us, attacking and killing any Uruk-hai who dared get too close. Weaving through the chaos of retreating soldiers and charging enemies.

I had to do something. I couldn't just bleed out. I could still feel the magicka thrumming faintly beneath my skin, weak but there. With what little strength I had left, I focused, channeling the last dregs of my power into my wound. My hands glowed faintly, and I could feel the edges of the wound beginning to close, the bleeding slowing.

But it wasn't enough.

I could close the wound, but I couldn't stop the blood loss. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, the world blurring as my strength ebbed away. My head lolled against Boromir's shoulder, my body heavy in his arms.

"I…I tried," I whispered, barely able to form the words. "Didn't…want to make you carry me again."

Boromir's grip tightened around me, his jaw set in determination. "You'll be fine," he said, more to himself than to me. 

But I couldn't fight it anymore. The cold numbness had spread through my body, and I could feel myself slipping, the darkness pulling me under. My magicka flickered out, and the last thing I saw before the world went black was the gate of keep.