Throat Of The World: Ages past, New Shout, Alduin defeated.

We left the camp and headed for the Throat of the World at about 7:30AM

The only encounter we had was some Miraak followers. We killed one each without slowing down at all.

It was a slow ride. I was feeling quite exhausted. I hope there is a decent gap between finishing this task and The Divines needing me again.

We reached our destination at about 2:30PM and Paarthurnax was waiting for us. He said,

“You have it. The Kel – the Elder Scroll. Tiid kreh… qalos. Time shudders at its touch. There is no question. You are doom driven. Kogaan Akatosh. The very bones of the earth are at your disposal. Go then. Fulfill your destiny. Take the scroll to the Time-Wound.”

I spoke to Lydia and told her I had no idea what was going to happen.

Paarthurnax said Alduin has detected the Kel so close to the Time Wound and that I need to hurry before he arrives.

I told Lydia I might just freeze in place or even vanish. I told her no matter what, do not panic or try and touch me or move me. I summoned two Dremora Lord for extra protection.

My dragon blood and soul allowed me enough time sensitivity to detect the exact place I should stand. It just felt wrong is the only way I can describe it.

I unrolled the scroll and found no writing but a diagram similar to a spider web with odd symbols within circles.

I thought I saw familiar constellations and the present started to fade.

I found myself looking at the past.

A Dovah called Drogobved was facing Hakon One Eye and Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, ancient heroes and masters of the Tongue. These are the conversations I heard,

Hakon: “Gormlaith! We’re running out of time! The battle…”

Dragoved: “Daar sul thur se Alduin vokrii. Today Alduin’s lordship will be restored. But I honour your courage. Krif voth ahkrin. Die now, in vain.”

(Hakon attacked using a two handed axe.)

Hakon: “For Skyrim!”

(The battle was going back and forth then Gormlaith came running and leapt onto Drogobved’s head.)

Gormlaith: “Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death!”

(Like many dragon I have slain, once there is an enemy in front and one on the neck or head the battle is lost. Gormlaith dealt the death blow and leapt from the dying dragon.)

Gormlaith: “Hakon! A glorious day, is it not!”

Hakon: “Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?”

Gormlaith: “What else is there?”

Hakon: “The battle below goes ill. If Alduin does not rise to our challenge, I fear all may be lost.”

Gormlaith: “You worry too much, brother. Victory will be ours.”

(Felldir the Old, 3^rd of the ancient heroes and a master of the Tongue, joined his companions.)

Hakon: “Why does Alduin hang back? We’ve staked everything on this plan of yours, old man.”

Felldir: “He will come. He cannot ignore our defiance. And why should he fear us, even now?”

Gormlaith: “We’ve bloodied him well. Four of his kin have fallen to my blade alone this day.”

Felldir: “But none have yet stood against Alduin himself. Galthor, Sorri, Birkir…”

Gormlaith: “They did not have Dragonrend. Once we bring him down, I promise I will have his head.”

Felldir: “You do not understand. Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon. He is beyond our strength. Which is why I brought the Elder Scroll.”

(Felldir then showed his companions an Elder Scroll)

Hakon: “Felldir! We agreed not to use it!”

Felldir: “I never agreed. And if you are right, I will not need it.”

Hakon: “No. We will deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now.”

Gormlaith: “We shall see soon enough. Alduin approaches!”

Hakon: “So be it.”

(The ancient Tongues prepared themselves for battle. Alduin landed and spoke to them.)

Alduin: “Meyye! Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah liiv! Zu’u hin daan!”

Gormlaith: “Let those that watch from Sovngarde envy us this day!”

(All the Tongues used the Dragonrend Shout. In my mind I saw the dragon glyphs for each word and absorbed their meaning from I know not where. Alduin was surrounded by a blue dweomer and seemed to have no choice but to land.)

Alduin: “Nivahriin joorre! What have you done? What twisted Words have you created?! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first… dir ko maar. You will die in terror, knowing your final fate… To feed my power when I come for you in Sovngarde!”

Gormlaith: “If I die today, it will not be in terror. You feel fear for the first time, worm. I see it in your eyes. Skyrim will be free!”

(The three heroes of old attacked Alduin and the battle was fierce. Suddenly Alduin lunged and his mouth enveloped Gormlaith. Alduin shook her and there was a loud crack. He tossed her lifeless body to the ground.)

Hakon: “No, damn you! It’s no use! Use the Scroll, Felldir! Now!”

Felldir: “Hold, Alduin on the Wing! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World-Eater! By words with older bones than your own we break your perch on this age and send you out! You are banished! Alduin, we shout you out from all our endings unto the last!”

Alduin: “Faal Kel…?! Nikriinne…”

(Alduin then faded from view.)

Felldir: “You are banished!”

Hakon: “It worked… you did it…”

Felldir: “Yes, the World-Eater is gone… may the spirits have mercy on our souls.”

The past faded and I was once again in the present and Alduin was overhead preparing to attack.

He said to me, “Bahloki nahkip sillesejoor. My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals, Dovahkiin. Die now and await your fate in Sovngarde!”

Paarthurnax said, “”Lost funt. You are too late, Alduin! Dovahkiin! Use Dragonrend, if you know it!”

Lydia said, “Come closer you fucking murdering bastard!”

Meeko said, “Woof!”

Paarthurnax said to Alduin, “Unslaad hokoron! Never again!” as he lifted into the air and attacked Alduin. Two dragons fighting is one of the most awe inspiring and frightening sights you can behold. As they danced their deadly duel I found it difficult to time the Dragonrend shout so it only hit Alduin. Finally the two Dov were far enough apart for me to use Dragonrend on Alduin.

When he landed Lydia was on him like a flash. I have never seen her attack with such little regard for defence. It was like Rigmor when I first watched her fight a pack of wolves. Alduin was no lesser foe where defence did not matter. I ran and joined in but made sure it was me and not Lydia the dragon faced. Lydia, Meeko and the two Dremora Lords attacked his flanks.

When fighting Alduin on the ground Paarthurnax flew overhead and urged us to attack with full strength.

Alduin used a Shout I had never heard before that made burning rocks plummet to the surface from unfathomable heights. We were fairly safe from them is we stayed close to him. I could see that such a shout would be devastating when flying and attacking ground targets.

By using Dragonrend whenever I could we kept Alduin on the ground. Like some of his brethren he wasted breath throwing insults at me. Empty insults that sounded more and more desperate as his doom approached.

When he should have died he did not. I remembered Felldir’s words, “Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon.”

We were at a stalemate. Alduin no longer had the ability to fight. We could not slay him. Even Lydia soon realised this and stood panting with a stricken look on her face. She could not avenge Bjorn’s death. Alduin spoke, “Meyz mul, Dovahkiin. You have become strong. But I am Al-du-in, Firstborn of Akatosh! Mulaagi zok lot! I cannot be slain here, by you or anyone else! You cannot prevail against me. I will outlast you… mortal!”

He then feebly lifted and flew slow away.

Lydia screamed in frustration and fired arrows at him even after he was well beyond range. I had to walk up and put a hand on her arm to bring her back to reality.

Paarthurnax landed and spoke, “Lot krongrah. You truly have the voice of a Dovah. Alduin’s allies will think twice after this victory!”

It wasn’t really a victory since Alduin had managed to escape.

“Ni liivrah hin moro. Ture, this is not the final krongrah – victory. But not even the heroes of old were able to defeat Alduin in open battle. Alduin always was pahlok – arrogant in his power. Uznahgar paar. He took domination as his birthright. This should shake the loyalty of the Dov who serve him.”

I need to find where Alduin went.

“Yes… one of his allies could tell us. Motmahus… But it will not be so easy to… convince one of them to betray him. Perhaps the hofkahsejun – the palace in Whiterun… Dragonsreach. It was originally built to house a captive Dovah. A fine place to trap one of Alduin’s allies, hmm?”

The Jarl of Whiterun might not think so.

“Hmm, yes. But your su’um is strong. I do not doubt you can convince him of the need.”

Dragonsreach was built to hold a dragon?

“Yes. This was ages ago you understand. There were more of us then. Before the bruniike – the Akaviri – came and killed all my zeymah. I used to visit him from time to time. Nearly crazed by loneliness and captivity. Tiiraz sivaas. He did not even remember his own name. I do not know how he came to be caught. But the bronjun… the Jarl… was very proud of his pet. Paak! The hofkahsejun has been known as Dragonsreach ever since.”

I told Lydia we will travel to Whiterun and stay at home till tomorrow. Then we will speak to the Jarl and see about using Dragonsreach. I reiterated my promise to her. Alduin will die.

We had no encounters on our way down the mountain and on our trip back home.

We were famished when we finally entered Breezehome and Lydia prepared a warm meal while I wrote this journal.

When Lydia retired for the night she looked drained. I think the need for revenge is eating away at her. Before I finished this journal entry I heard her sobbing in her room. Meeko went to her door and scratched on it till she opened it for him. There was still the occasional sound of crying but more muffled. I imagine Meeko was soaking up the tears with his fur.

I know not what time I fell asleep.