Chapter 8 High Hrothgar
The sun rose slowly over the distant mountains, its golden rays stretching across the sky like fingers waking the world from slumber. Roosters crowed in the far-off farms outside Whiterun, their voices echoing through the crisp morning air. Birds chirped softly from the wooden beams of the inn, their melodies mixing with the gentle rustle of leaves. Dew clung to the grass, shimmering like tiny crystals, while a thin blanket of morning mist drifted lazily across the ground.
Astrid stirred beneath her blanket. A soft glow passed through the window shutters, brushing across her sapphire-blue eyes. She rubbed them gently, blinking away the heaviness of sleep before stretching her arms above her head, her joints popping lightly.
"Yaaawn… hmm."
She winced as a dull throb pulsed behind her temples.
"Ugh… I must've drunk too much last night."
She stood and unlatched the wooden window. As it swung open, a burst of cool morning air rushed in, carrying the smell of pine, fresh earth, and the faint aroma of cooked bread from the tavern below. The sunlight warmed her face, making her hair glow like polished gold.
"What a bright day for a new adventure," she murmured with a small smile.
After fastening her armor—its metal plates clinking softly—she stepped into the hallway. The old inn creaked under her boots. Dust motes drifted lazily through the shafts of morning light as she knocked on the door next to hers.
Knock-knock-knock.
"Alex, wake up. It's already morning."
Silence.
She frowned and knocked again—harder this time. Still nothing. Her brows twitched in annoyance, and with a frustrated sigh, she drew back her leg and kicked the door open.
The hinges squealed as the door swung wide. Inside, Alex lay sprawled on his bed, cocooned in his blanket like a hibernating bear. His hair was messy, his mouth slightly open, a faint snore escaping.
"Seriously… still fast asleep?"
Astrid marched over and shook him by the shoulder. "Come on, sleepyhead. We've got a task to reach High Hrothgar. Wake up!"
Alex groaned, squinting through groggy eyes. "Ow… so noisy… just five more minutes, Mom… It's still early…"
Her eyebrow twitched.
Without hesitation, she smacked his stomach with the handle of her axe.
"Wake up! You're so undisciplined!"
"Ow !" Alex jerked upright, clutching his stomach. His vision blurred before it steadied landing on Astrid's figure, illuminated by golden morning light. Her armor gleamed, her sapphire eyes sharp, her golden hair cascading around her like a halo.
"A-ah… I've angered a goddess…" he whispered instinctively.
Astrid's face instantly turned red bright, vivid, like a ripe cherry. She whipped her head away.
"Just hurry up! If we leave now, we can reach Ivarstead on time!"
Alex muttered reflexively, still half-asleep, "Ah, the angel turned red…"
Whack!
Astrid smacked him on the head, stomped on the floor in embarrassment, and stormed out. On the stairs, her face burned again as the memory of last night's embarrassing moment flooded back.
"Ugh… why did I do that to Alex? So embarrassing…" she muttered under her breath.
Meanwhile, Alex slowly processed everything then buried his face in his hands.
"Great… I probably said something stupid again…"
Downstairs, he spotted Astrid sitting by the well outside the inn. Morning light bounced off the water's surface, casting soft ripples on her face. But her expression—
"Took you long enough!" she snapped, pouting slightly. "How long do you expect me to wait?"
Right…
Alex exhaled. Maybe it was just my imagination. There's no way a Dragonborn would like someone like me.
"Sorry, I overslept. I went to bed kinda late."
Astrid stood and grabbed his shoulder with brisk determination.
"Come on, a long journey awaits."
As they left Whiterun, the world opened before them.
Rolling green plains spread across the horizon. The wind brushed through the tall grass, making it sway like waves. Butterflies danced above wildflowers. Astrid and Alex walked along the dirt path, their boots crunching softly against gravel.
They talked to pass the time.
Alex pointed ahead. "Hey, Astrid, did you know there's a whole continent covered entirely in sand?"
Astrid blinked, eyes wide with wonder. "What? Is there really such a continent?"
"Yep. Hot, dry, dangerous."
"Plants must have trouble growing there."
"They do. Some are covered in thorns. And they die instantly if they get too much water."
"What?! Then do they produce fruit? Are they tasty?"
"Some do. Like dates."
Astrid nodded thoughtfully, impressed.
Alex truly knew more than she gave him credit for.
Along the road, Alex kneeled often—gathering glowing blue mountain flowers, fluttering butterfly wings, sprigs of wheat. His hands moved with practiced calm.
Riverwood
By noon, they reached Riverwood. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the sound of the river rushing nearby mixed with the chop of lumber. They sold the Golden Claw, restocked supplies, and continued on.
Helgen's Ruins
When they approached Helgen, the mood shifted.
Ash still clung to the ruined walls. Blackened wood crumbled under the slightest breeze. The faint smell of burnt stone lingered in the air.
"I don't know why…" Alex said softly. "But whenever I come here, the horror feels like it's happening again."
Astrid placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her eyes soft.
"But if that hadn't happened, we wouldn't be together like this."
Warmth spread through him not from magic, but from her words.
Snowy Path to Ivarstead
The temperature dropped as they climbed higher. Snow blanketed the trees. The air was sharp and cold, biting at Alex's cheeks. His breath turned into fog with every exhale.
Astrid summoned a small flame in her palm, warming herself. The glow flickered across her face.
"Hey, come closer. You're freezing," she said, gently pulling him closer.
His heartbeat quickened—thump, thump, thump.
He wondered if she could hear it.
After we passed through the treacherous mountain path, the harsh cold gradually faded. The biting wind softened into a gentle breeze, and the thick snow beneath our boots gave way to patches of green earth. Sunlight pierced through the thinning clouds, warming our faces as the world around us slowly returned to its natural colors.
The air felt different—lighter, calmer. The scent of pine replaced the sharp smell of frost, and the sound of crunching snow turned into the soft rhythm of dirt and fallen leaves beneath our steps.
As we continued down the trail, the peaceful quiet suddenly broke.
Grrrr—!
From behind a cluster of trees, two large bears emerged. Their fur was dark and wet, glistening under the sunlight, and their breaths came out in deep, rumbling growls. Astrid immediately tightened her grip on her weapon, her expression sharpening with focus. I felt my pulse quicken, but my hands rose instinctively as magical energy gathered at my fingertips.
"Be careful," Astrid warned, lowering her stance.
The bears lunged, but we were ready.
Astrid dodged with swift footwork, striking one bear's shoulder. I cast a burst of Flames, the orange light flickering across the trees and reflecting in the bear's eyes. The smell of burning fur mixed with the earthy forest scent.
It didn't take long.
With coordinated movements and clear minds, we defeated them safely.
I felt a surge of warmth rush through me—magic settling into my veins.
My Destruction skill increased to 21.
Astrid looked back at me with a small smirk. "Nice. You're getting stronger."
I scratched my cheek shyly. "Just doing what I can."
We pushed deeper into the forest until the trees suddenly parted, revealing a lonely old cabin standing silently among the shadows. Moss covered its wooden roof, and the windows were clouded with age—no sign of life, no smoke from the chimney, no footprints nearby. It looked abandoned… perhaps for years.
The door creaked when Astrid nudged it open.
Inside, dust floated in the sunlight streaming through cracked boards. Shelves were lined with scattered alchemy ingredients—blue mountain flowers, jazbay grapes, butterfly wings, frost salts—left untouched as if the owner had vanished without warning. A faint herbal scent lingered in the air.
"We don't know who owns this place…" Astrid murmured, her voice cautious.
"But these ingredients…" I whispered, eyes widening. "They're all usable."
I gathered everything carefully, making sure not to disturb the fragile cobwebs nearby. In the corner stood an old but functional Alchemy Station, its glass tubes and metal rings still intact. Several potions were scattered beside it—health potions, magicka potions, all sealed and clean.
I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
The alchemy table glowed faintly as I mixed ingredients. Liquids bubbled quietly; aromas of herbs, flowers, and minerals filled the cabin. The soft hum of the brewing process echoed through the small room. Astrid watched silently, her arms crossed but her expression proud.
After crafting several health and magicka potions, I felt another shift inside me—
my Alchemy skill increased to 18.
Astrid smiled. "You're becoming a real alchemist."
I chuckled softly. "Well… those ingredients were practically begging to be used."
Once we collected everything we needed, we stepped back outside. The forest breeze felt refreshing after the dusty cabin air. Leaves rustled gently overhead, sunlight filtered through the canopy, and the path leading forward glowed warmly under the late afternoon light.
And so, with lighter steps and fuller supplies,
we continued our journey.
Ivarstead
By evening, they arrived in the peaceful village. Waterfalls roared in the distance, casting mist across the bridge. They rented two rooms.
That night…
Alex stepped outside and—accidentally—saw Astrid bathing by the moonlit water.
The moon hung above her like a silver crown. Its reflection danced across her skin, making her glow ethereally.
His breath hitched.
Oh no.
He spun away instantly, heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the sound of the waterfall.
He hurried back silently.
Damn it… I can't let her think I'm some kind of creep.
He dunked himself in cold water, shivering but determined to clear his mind.
Morning of the Climb
Astrid noticed his fresh clothes.
"Oh? Since when did you take a bath?"
Alex froze.
"Be careful around here," Astrid continued. "Last night I heard something—like footsteps."
"H-hahaha… really?"
He laughed nervously. "Anyway! We might run into snow wolves and trolls. Ready?"
Astrid caught the obvious deflection… but let it pass.
"Of course I'm ready."
The Path to High Hrothgar
I prepared myself more carefully this time—packing extra tools, making sure our food supplies were secure, and most importantly, bringing enough ale to warm my body once the mountain air grew unbearably cold. The higher we climbed, the thinner and sharper the air became. Each breath felt crisp, almost biting, as if the wind wanted to carve itself into our lungs.
We followed the winding stone path upward. Frost clung to the edges of the rocks, glittering under the pale sunlight. Along the trail, we passed several shrines—small, weather-worn structures built from grey stone. Some were adorned with candles that had melted long ago; others still burned faintly despite the cold. Pilgrims in heavy robes knelt before them, whispering prayers in hushed voices that drifted into the wind.
Astrid glanced at them with quiet respect.
"They've been climbing since dawn," she murmured.
Our boots crunched over the snow as we continued. The silence didn't last long.
A distant howl echoed across the cliffs.
Snow Wolves.
Within moments, a pack emerged from behind a jagged ridge—white fur blending perfectly with the snow, eyes gleaming an icy blue. They looked stronger, larger than normal wolves, their breath forming thick clouds in the cold air.
Astrid shifted into her fighting stance, her expression sharp but calm.
"We've dealt with worse," she said confidently.
And she was right.
Together, we cut through the pack with practiced ease. My magic crackled through the air—Sparks lighting up the snowy ground—while Astrid's blade danced with precision. The wolves fell, one by one, until only silence remained.
As we climbed higher, the peaks around us rose like ancient giants of ice. The wind grew harsher, roaring between the cliffs. Then, far above, a massive structure came into view—its silhouette towering against the pale sky.
"There it is," I said, pointing. "I can already see it from here."
"It's huge…" Astrid whispered, awe in her eyes.
But before we could continue, something shifted on the ridge above us.
A heavy thud reverberated across the icy ground.
THUMP.
A Frost Troll dropped from the ledge, snow scattering around its massive figure. Its pale hide almost glowed against the frost, and its roar echoed through the mountains, shaking the air. Trolls in the game were hard enough—but in real life, this thing was terrifying.
"Astrid!" I called. "I'll support you with my spells!"
She nodded, bracing her shield.
I summoned a Flame Atronach, the fiery spirit bursting to life beside me, illuminating the blue ice around us. Sparks surged between my hands, buzzing like angry insects.
The troll lunged at Astrid with frightening speed.
My heart tightened—if it hit her, the damage would be severe.
I fired Sparks directly at its arm, the lightning forcing it to recoil.
Astrid seized the moment, sweeping low and slashing its leg.
The Flame Atronach launched fireballs, each explosion scattering snow into the air.
The troll staggered, bellowing in rage.
We moved in perfect rhythm—my spells disrupting its attacks, Astrid dealing powerful blows, the Atronach keeping up a barrage of flames. Our breath fogged heavily in the cold as the ground trembled beneath the troll's weight.
After a heated struggle, the beast finally collapsed into the snow.
Astrid exhaled heavily, sweat glistening on her forehead despite the freezing air.
She rested her hands on her knees.
"That… was a fun battle," she said between breaths.
I offered her stamina and health potions.
"Drink these."
She smiled gratefully.
"Thanks."
I felt a jolt of magical energy inside me.
My Destruction skill rose to level 26.
We pressed forward until we finally approached the colossal structure—its stone walls rising like the fortress of an ancient kingdom. The entrance was framed by towering pillars, worn by centuries of wind and snow. Before the stairs, we found piles of offerings—food, candles, herbs—left by pilgrims seeking wisdom from the Greybeards.
A quiet, reverent silence hung in the air.
Together, we climbed the steps and entered High Hrothgar.
Status
Main Level 19
Destruction 20 -> 26
Alchemy 15-> 18
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