Elder Scrolls True Daughter of Skyrim

The morning light streamed through the cracks in the stone walls, soft and warm. My eyes fluttered open, the familiar weight of exhaustion still clinging to me, but something felt… different. The pain that had once burned through my stomach was now a dull ache, and my magicka reserves, which had been nearly depleted, thrummed with a comforting fullness. 

I blinked, trying to make sense of the scene around me. Gandalf stood over me, his hand hovering just above my abdomen, glowing with a soft white light. His expression was calm, his gaze focused as the glow faded and he stepped back, satisfied with whatever magic he had just performed.

"You are awake," Gandalf said with a faint smile, his voice gentle. His eyes twinkled slightly beneath his bushy brows. "And just in time."

I looked down at myself. My armor had been neatly placed to the side, and my stomach was wrapped tightly in bandages. I gingerly touched the spot where the spear had nearly run me through. The wound had been healed, though the soreness remained. 

"How long was I out?" I asked, my voice rough from disuse. My gaze wandered around the room. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were huddled nearby, speaking in hushed tones but clearly relieved. The Wargs lay resting around me, their massive bodies taking up a significant portion of the space as I was resting on one of them.

Gandalf's chuckle drew my attention back to him. "Not long. From what Ive come to learn, Just through the night," he replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You gave Boromir quite the scare. Though I think he's rather proud of his handiwork getting you here."

I glanced to my side and saw Boromir approaching, my sword in one hand and a plate of food in the other. He knelt beside me, offering both with a grin. "Good to see you awake," he said, his tone light but his eyes betraying the concern he still felt. "Thought you might be stuck in some eternal nap."

I smirked, reaching out to take the plate and my sword. "I take it this isn't the afterlife, then?" I asked, my voice laced with dry humor.

Gandalf's laughter rang through the air, warm and full of life. "No, Ellehish, it is not," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not quite yet, at least."

I managed to sit up, the dull ache in my stomach protesting slightly, but I ignored it. The others, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli moved closer, their expressions a mix of relief and concern as they saw I was awake.

"Glad to see you back with us," Aragorn said, his hand resting on my shoulder in a brief, comforting gesture. Legolas gave a small nod, his eyes looking me over to make sure I was truly all right.

Gimli grunted. "Tough as an old boot, this one. Though I suspect you'll be fighting with a bit more caution next time."

I couldn't help but chuckle, though it was cut short as my stomach twinged. "I'll try to avoid the spears coming at me, that's for sure."

The Wargs stirred beside me, their massive forms shifting. Snuffles let out a deep huff, his yellow eyes blinking lazily as he nudged my leg. Pudding rolled over, exposing her belly. Im glad they didn't seem hurt.

Gandalf watched the scene with a faint smile, but his gaze soon grew more serious. "We must leave soon," he said, his tone shifting to something more urgent. "We have to retrieve Merry and Pippin. They are with the Ents."

I raised an eyebrow, still feeling the weight of the battle on me. "And you're asking if I'm fit to ride?" 

Gandalf nodded. "Yes. we must leave soon. Time is not on our side."

Boromir stepped forward before I could answer, his face a mask of concern. "If she can't ride, I will carry her again. It's no trouble."

I looked up at him, and raised an eyebrow. But the idea of being carried once more didn't sit well with me, especially after last night. Still, I knew my limits, and I wasn't going to be reckless.

"I'm… not going to be much use on my own right now," I admitted, my pride stinging a bit as I glanced at Boromir. "So if you don't mind, I might have to take you up on that offer. For now, at least."

Boromir smiled, not at all bothered by my admission. "Of course."

Gandalf's expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "You've done well Ellehish. There is no need to feel ashamed."

I gave a short laugh, though the weight of exhaustion was still present. 

The group shared a quiet laugh, the tension easing for just a moment before the gravity of the situation returned. I took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll be ready."

Boromir moved to help me stand, his arm steady around my waist as I found my footing. The Wargs rose with me. And so we left, walking past many of the people of Rohan and the Elves that had helped us thankfully there were still people alive, but the pain in their eyes as they looked at their fallen friends or loved ones was clear. As we reached the Horses Boromir helped me and placed me on top of his horse before getting on and gently holding me in place.

The rhythmic clop of hooves filled the air as we rode away from Helm's Deep. Boromir sat behind me, guiding the horse with a steady hand while his other one was firm around my waist, more to keep me upright but let's hope I didn't have to break this man's heart, I thought as I rested against him. The Wargs followed, their heavy paws thudding softly against the ground.

Boromir's voice broke the silence, his tone curious but gentle. "Ellehish… how old are you, truly?"

I blinked, a bit surprised by the question. I turned my head slightly, glancing back at him, well he was asking me not how old my body was. "Eighteen," I said simply.

There was a moment of silence before I heard a faint gasp. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf, casting curious glances my way.

"Eighteen?" Gimli grunted, his thick brows furrowing. "Barely out of childhood, then. You're nothing more than a bairn!"

I frowned, irritation prickling at me. "Maybe by Elven and Dwarven standards," I muttered under my breath.

Legolas chuckled lightly from where he rode beside us, his sharp eyes fixed ahead. "Indeed, by our standards, you are but a child. In Elven years, one is not truly considered an adult until they reach two hundred."

I rolled my eyes, the frustration building. "Well, in Tamriel, I'm considered an adult, and we don't normally live to be two hundred given the danger. If we did, we'd be considered very old by that age."

Boromir gave a quiet chuckle behind me, his chest rumbling slightly against my back. "Id like to visit those lands someday."

I shrugged, or at least tried to. " Well you would fit in."

Aragorn, riding beside us, gave me a nod of respect. "Age matters little when one proves themselves in battle. I've seen young boys face far worse than what we did at Helm's Deep."

Boromir's arm tightened slightly around me, a gesture of comfort. "Many fought yesterday, some far younger than you. And you fought bravely, Ellehish."

I glanced at him, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before I looked ahead again. Gandalf, who had been quiet for most of the ride, chuckled softly as he took a puff from his pipe, the sweet scent of the smoke drifting on the breeze. "Age, it seems, is a subject of much debate. But one thing remains true, youth does not mean one is incapable of great deeds."

I smirked, though it was more to myself. "Tell that to the Uruk-hai," I muttered. "They didn't seem to care much about my age."

Gimli let out a hearty laugh. "Aye, lass. They'll kill you just as quick, whether you're eighteen or two hundred!"

The others chuckled at that, but the light-heartedness did little to ease the weight on our minds. The rhythmic sway of the horse beneath me and the steady clip-clop of hooves on the ground lulled me into a sense of calm. I let my head rest back slightly, staring up at the sky.

After a while, Boromir spoke again, his tone soft, curious. "Ellehish… do you have family?"

I stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the question. I hadn't talked about them in so long, and it wasn't a subject I particularly cared to revisit. But Boromir had asked gently, not prying, just curious. 

I hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "No. Not anymore."

Boromir didn't say anything, waiting for me to continue. I wasn't sure why I kept talking, maybe because of the quiet, or maybe if I didn't answer they would make up their own answers which wasn't always good. 

"My family was killed by the Nords," I said, my voice neutral. "I was the only one who survived."

Boromir shifted behind me, his hand steady on the reins. "The Nords?"

I nodded slightly. "Yeah. We went to war with them. My father, he was king, but we called him the snow prince, decided it was time to push back. But we lost. They took everything. They killed him. Killed almost everyone."

Gimli grumbled under his breath, clearly angered at the thought, but I continued before he could speak.

"My mother…" I trailed off for a moment, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. "She was used by them. They took her, and she ended up pregnant. So, my father sent her away. Tried to protect her, I guess. Or maybe he just couldn't stand to see what they had done to her. He had tried to have her get rid of it but she would always say that the child wasn't at fault for what happened."

Boromir remained quiet, letting me talk at my own pace.

"I stayed with him. I was his daughter. The princess. And it didn't matter. The Nords still won." I shrugged, my indifference clear in my tone. "The war took everything. And here I am."

I felt Boromir's grip tighten slightly around my waist. "I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine sorrow.

I glanced back at him, offering a faint smile. "Don't be. It happened. It's in the past."

Legolas, riding just ahead of us, glanced back. "You carry much for someone so young," he said quietly, his expression serious for once. "It is no wonder you fight as fiercely as you do."

The others remained silent after that. I hadn't shared the story to gain sympathy or pity, it was just the truth. The past was behind me, and there was no point in dwelling on it. But it still left a mark, and Something I would take from them, those fucking Nords.

Gandalf glanced at me, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he took another slow drag from his pipe. The air between us felt heavy, like there was more he wanted to ask but hesitated. After a few more moments, he finally spoke.

"Would you seek revenge, then?" His voice was soft, almost cautious.

Without hesitation, I answered. "Yes."

I felt Boromir shift slightly behind me again, and even the Wargs seemed to pick up on the change in my tone. Gandalf didn't respond right away, clearly surprised by how calmly I had spoken, how sure I sounded.

"I'll kill them," I continued, my voice steady, though I could feel my heart beating faster, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I'll kill them the way they killed my people."

There was some bitterness in my voice. But it was a fact. I could feel everyone's attention turn to me, the silence growing heavier. I could feel my emotions stirring, the familiar anger bubbling up, but I forced it down, my expression neutral. 

I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to center myself. "And when I'm done, I'll bring my people back." My voice softened, I had made that promise and I would keep it, Id bring our people back. "Somehow."

Gandalf tilted his head slightly, his eyes studying me with a deep, contemplative gaze. He seemed intrigued by the way I handled the rage I had buried so deeply. His surprise wasn't lost on me.

"You speak with a certainty that is... unusual," Gandalf finally said, his voice measured, careful.

I met his gaze. "It's not unusual for someone who's lost everything." 

Gandalf nodded slowly, exhaling another puff of smoke as he considered my words. "Revenge can be a powerful motivator, but it can also consume you, if you let it."

I looked away, my eyes focusing on the horizon. "I know." I let the silence linger before continuing. "But I won't let them win. Not again." After that, no one really spoke for the rest of the ride.

We rode into Isengard, the landscape was submerged under water, with remnants of Saruman's destruction of nature. The towering structure of Orthanc still stood tall, and the massive forms of Ents moved slowly, their eyes surveying the wreckage.

I could feel them, their deep connection to the earth, their slow, powerful magic resonating with the Green Lady magic within me. It wasn't something I fully understood, but the connection was there. As I watched them move, I knew they felt me too. A strange, but I didn't dwell on it, though. 

Ahead, Merry and Pippin sat atop the fallen stone, happily eating away at their feast. The sight brought a small smile to my face, despite everything that had happened. It was a moment of peace in the middle of so much chaos.

"There they are," Gandalf said with a hint of amusement in his voice as we approached the hobbits. "The young rascals seem to have made the most of their situation."

Boromir chuckled softly behind me, and I could feel the tension of our long journey ease just a little. Even Aragorn's usual stoic expression softened as he dismounted, shaking his head at the sight.

Merry raised his tankard, grinning widely as we approached. "Welcome, my friends! It's about time you showed up!"

Pippin, his mouth full of food, waved enthusiastically. "There's plenty to eat, if you're hungry!"

The scene was almost absurd, considering where we were. After everything that had happened, seeing them so carefree felt like a strange but welcome contrast. I slid down from the horse with Boromir's help.

Gimli was the first to speak, his tone a mix of disbelief and humor. "You two have the nerve to feast while the rest of us were worried sick?"

Merry, ever the cheeky one, grinned. "Well, somebody had to keep an eye on the food."

Legolas smiled faintly as he dismounted, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "And it seems you've done a fine job of it."

Gandalf approached the hobbits, his eyes twinkling as he examined them. "Well, well, young hobbits. Im glad to see you both are okay."

Merry took a sip from his drink, looking far too pleased with himself. "Not bad, right?"

I moved a little slower, taking in the destruction around us. The water was still, reflecting the sky above, but there was a sense of finality here.

"Enjoying yourselves, I see," Aragorn said, his voice warm but edged with exhaustion.

Merry and Pippin exchanged a look before Pippin grinned, his cheeks full of food. "More than you'd think. There's plenty here if you're hungry."

Boromir, who had been watching me carefully, stepped up beside me. "You alright?" he asked in a low voice.

I nodded. "Yeah, just… taking it all in. First time here."

He gave a small nod, understanding without prying further. The others, meanwhile, gathered around the hobbits, exchanging banter and easing into the momentary peace. The war wasn't over, but for now, there was one less piece on the board.