I knew I was different from many other Nords, oh no not just the obvious, me being a Nord raised by Bosmer, no I mean inside I knew I was different. I just didn’t realize how much different I was until my adoptive parents were murdered as it turns out by order from my birth father. It was then I slowly learned who I was and what I was chosen by the Divines to do.
My loving parents Woodelves, Minnia and Codell, are the reason I started my journey, that and the information left in my birth mothers journal. You see my adoptive parents, left Valenwood as the Aldmeri Dominion was not supported by all Bosmer in fact many feared and loathed the Thamor party. Many fled to other parts of Tamriel, my parents thought Skyrim with the forests and the fertile land would be a good place to start over.
They started a cattle farm right outside Kynesgrove, and one of the first customers they had was my birth mother Sigrid, she loved the quality of their meat from the livestock and hunting. They had befriended a local Nord farmer, Runar and between the two Sigrid was able to get the freshest vegetables and the finest meats. You see Sigrid, and my birth mother was one of the best cooks in all of Skyrim I am told and soon she caught the eye of a powerful leader.
He pursued her. Had his men bring her herbs, fresh fish, he would visit her whenever he could, and when my mother needed to leave Windhlem he made sure she had an escort. In case of bandits and whatnot. Their relationship grew, and I am told she fell in love with him. I am told she was beautiful, strong, and funny. Not only could my mother cook she also was a very talented Bard. He had a flute crafted for her with the finest materials in Skyrim, she cherished that flute, in fact I have it now. As my mother’s love for him grew, the conflicts around them grew as well. Maybe it was all the chaos that surrounded them, maybe it was just he did not love her in return, whatever the reason was he eventually broke her heart. This is the start of my journey alas no one knew this as of yet.
My birth father is Ulfric Stormcloak, my birth mother was a cook in his castle, sadly she died giving birth to me. My adoptive parents were her friends, cared for her in her last months, Ulfric cast my mother away like she was garbage, had no use for after she was with child and then proceeded to say the child was not his, me, the child, I was not his daughter. Just thinking about it now makes my anger heat up within me. I cannot wait until the day I sink my sword deep in his chest and let him feel the pain he inflicted not just to me and my kin, but so many other’s.
My birth mother, Sigrid, had nowhere to go, Minnia and Codell Williowdale took my mother in, yes you read this right, no other Nord would help my mother only two Bosmer. Momma Minnia and Poppa Codell.
Momma Minnia, said she had a beautiful smile that could light up a room. She could create a feast like no other, and could play the flute so well it sounded like birds singing in the trees, my parents were proud to call her a friend. So, when she had nowhere to turn, they knew the right thing to do was to care for her. But, it was not an easy pregnancy. Even so I am told she could hardly wait for my birth, even with everything that took place my mother still wanted me and in that short time loved me, she was a good woman, I am proud to know she was my mother.
Minnia & Codell promised Sigrid, she would always have a home with them, Minnia, was so happy for my mother, for as long as she could remember she had planned and tried for a child of their own, but none came, so Sigrid’s pregnancy was a blessing for Minnia as well. When Sigrid went into labor, hours passed, Codell and Minnia taking turns helping my mother, but no magic, no remedy could save her; Sigrid, asked in her dying breath for her friends to care for me and raise me as their own let them know I had a mother who loved me and wanted me with all her heart and soul. They promised and she kissed my head and passed in the night.
Momma Minnia and Poppa Codell were the best parents any child could ask for. They read books, on Nord traditions so that I could learn about my history and they taught me about Valenwood, the Bosmer, and the Green-Pact. Momma Minnia taught me to read and write. Poppa taught me to hunt and fish. They were both great hunters, they gave me life lessons on the surrounding forests, taught me to use a bow, as if you become one with it. We traded with Runar the farmer, for the vegetables needed for me. He taught me some on farming and alchemy. Momma Minnia was insistent I be taught the flute, Runar’s wife Vori gave me lessons; I had my mother natural talent it turns out. Maybe not as good as Sigrid was, but I am getting there.
As I grew in this warm and loving environment, Poppa Codell thought it best I also be trained in the art of a warrior. Poppa Codell had a way about him, all manna of man & beast were drawn to him, and his hunting took him far and wide. He helped out an Orc tribe and was welcomed there, he was Blood-Kin and he traded with them, as part of his services to them, he asked they train me in the art of a warrior. As I trained I heard stories of the Champions, of the 500, and longed to join them in Whiterun. My two trainers Malkus and Bagrak spoke to me as though I was a great warrior; both said if I just applied myself I could one day be as known as Tiber Septim, then they would laugh. I never understood that, yet when I told Poppa Codell he would chuckle too and tell me in time I would understand. Bagrak also had a desire, which she would hide from the strong-hold, of also joining the Champions, and we would do mock battles. Oh, the joy of those days, how I miss my friends.
As I grew Minnia & Codell tried to explain the world to me, and why the Great War started and that peace is one thing most of the population seeks. I have my doubts about that, well now anyway.
Life was good, until the night the Stormcloaks came, it was on Turdas, First Seed 5th, 4E 201, the first planting celebrations were in full swing all our friends , neighbors, the whole village just having a wonderful time all of us hoping for a good crop and that is when my life changed forever. They came marching in, swinging their swords, maces, and war hammers; we weren’t ready to defend ourselves, chaos ensued, I lost Minnia in the crowd I heard Codell calling me, I couldn’t find him. Everything happened so fast, I saw Momma Minnia, I ran to her, calling her, just as we embraced she quickly turned and pushed me away, hard away, and I saw it the blade went right through her, I screamed, and crawled back over, I caught her in my arms as she fell, I couldn’t see though my tears, everyone running, screaming, blood all over the place. Momma Minnia told me she loved me like her own that true love was not defined by Elf or Man, I just cried even harder, she said she didn’t regret a thing and would do it all over again, I tried to speak, to tell her my love of her, and how much she meant nothing but gurgling came out as though the blade had pierced my flesh. Momma Minnia tried to reach up but was weakening, I placed her hand on my face, cradling her in my arms now; she told me to listen for she didn’t have much strength left, she said, the man who’s blade did this was my father, the Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak, he ordered these Stormcloaks, this was his doing, he is not to be trusted and it was up to me to find my true calling and stop this civil war before it destroys all of Tamriel. I kept thinking no, no Divines, no please don’t take Momma Minnia. But, she died in my arms; I picked her up and though the battle was still going strong or should I say slaughter, still going strong I carried Momma Minnia home; placed her in her bed. I covered her body with blankets I was afraid to just leave her; I went back out to look for Poppa Codell… But, grabbed my dagger Malkus gave me and my bow. In the mist of this horrible night I found Poppa Codell lying by the edge with a dagger in his back, I carried him to a clearing. I covered him with leaves and moss, so in case the Stormcloaks came looking they wouldn’t see him. I ran toward the fire pit, a stormcloak grabbed my hair, she pushed me down to my knees; asked me my name, I tried to speak but nothing would come out, she pulled my head back and just as I thought this was the end, an arrow pierced her neck, killing her, her grip instantly loosed and I pushed myself up and was face to face with another Stormcloak, he was meek, I was able to finish him with my dagger. I picked up his sword and fought a few more Stormcloaks, yet I kept seeing arrows piercing though the flesh, killing with one arrow. Who was this Archer, where were they hiding!
As quickly as they came the Stormcloaks left and the next thing I know it is morning, I can smell blood. Without thinking really I survey the horror before me. I quickly go to Poppa Codell, I bring him home.
Poppa Codell passed away, at home, as he lies dying next to his beloved, he too tells me of his love for me, how he wanted a child, he was proud of me, the woman I was becoming, he wished he could see me fully grow, have a family but he said he would always be with me in my heart. Yes, tears both of us, streaming down. He told me of my mother’s journal, under the floor board in the kitchen by the fire hearth, he said take it read it, I needed to know and understand I was a chosen one. Before I could utter a word he was gone. I was alone. Outside, our friends, neighbors, livestock, slaughtered, along with a few Stormcloaks, I feared running into some, but that was not the case, I randomly picked up trinkets, not sure why. What happened here, why us, what was the cause of this destruction.
In my despair, I didn’t understand what was happening and in case I would forget I wrote down what Momma Minnia and Poppa Codell said to me and pulled up the floor board to read my mother’s journal. It took me to sun rise the next morning, in her journal my mother said she had a vision from Kyne telling her the child she carried was the Dovahkiin, she has a prophecy to fulfill, she must follow the road to the Throat of the World, where she will learn how to save Tamriel. She, also wrote of my father, Ulfric Stormcloak, how over the course of time with her he changed from a fun adventurous man, to a bitter, hateful warrior, mother blamed the war. She wrote, if I could have just known him before the hate had filled his heart she would have given anything for us to have been together.
Although it is not Bosmer ways I burned Minnia and Codell together, at our home I made a shrine of sorts and promised them and my birth mother, I would fulfill the prophecy, and avenge my family. I went to gather a few things, not sure really where I was heading but knowing I had to get the Throat of the World. That is when I saw two Stormcloaks, they came right up to me, and demanded “Do you live here?”, “Yes”, I said. The other Stormcloak, came closer to me, “Let this be a lesson, to all, anyone who harbors Imperial Scum, will be dealt with in this manner, by order of the true High King of Skyrim, Ulfric Stormcloak”. With that they left. So, Momma Minnia, was right, all this was over some false accusations, that we were harboring Imperials!!! Who, what family!!! So all of us had to die!!! Fools I thought!!! I had heard the rumors, I knew about him, how could that man be my farther. He did he know we lived here? I heard he distrusted all elves, everyone was beneath the Nord in his eyes, could he really be that blind? It was because of him that Skyrim was in a civil war, everyone knew he killed High King Torygg. Questions kept running through my head, so many questions, I must get to the Throat of the World, but once I get there whom do I see???
Now, I was sure, this cleared my head, yes I would go to the Throat of the World, but I would also, hunt and kill my father. My soul feels nothing for this man who fools revere.
“Ingoknin, wait”, it was Joldi, my friend. “Ingoknin, wait. Where are you going, mother asked me to check on you, how is Minnia and Codell”. “They were killed in the ambush”, “I am not sure how long I will be gone, I need to get to the Throat of the World, that was Momma’s last request. Can you tell me of the rest of our village, who else is left”? Joldi hangs her head, I can hear the thickness in her voice. “Poppa Ingoknin, Poppa was killed, as well as most of our village it might be easier to list the living”. “Listen, Joldi, there was an Archer here, did you see anyone”? She shakes her head no. “I need to go, Joldi, do you know if anyone was hiding Imperials here in the village”? I see her face drain of color, I have my answer. Joldi tells me, “Yes, but, they were hurt, Thales and her husband Silann, on their way back from Hammerfell to visit family they helped these injured soldiers and had them in the loft”. I say “There are two Stormcloaks larking around here they told me that what happened here was a lesson to anyone who harbors Imperial Scum, I thought they made false accusation, but it is no reason to come here and slaughter our village.” Joldi hugs me. It makes me feel good, I miss Momma and Poppa, I bite my lip and taste the salt of my own blood, choke back a sob and say “Joldi will you have your brother Ergnin watch over the livestock that made it, only three remain. I am not sure how long I will be, but your family can have them, the female that made it is with calf.” Joldi hold me again.
I start off, I need to visit the Orc stronghold, let them know what happened, I need to form a plan. I have a lot to do, a lot to plan. Unbeknown to me I am not alone, I am followed…….
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