Maybe I should have listened. Waking up the next day I realize my abs are gone and in their place is some definite chub. My gluttonous behavior aside, is gaining weight supposed to be this fast? I'm still relatively skinny looking but damn I've only been here three and a half days. Maybe dragon souls are fattening somehow?
I've collected everything I think I need for High Hrothgar, and now I only have one thing left to do. After a lot of thinking I've come to the conclusion that a dragon attack on the Hold would be devastating in my absence. The dragon at the Western Watchtower was the weakest kind of dragon the Dragonborn will ever face canonically, and I had twenty men supporting me then. I've told the Jarl everything I can about fighting them but from what I've seen Nords are slow to change their ways. But even a small group of warriors armed with basic Restoration spells would be super effective against the dragons.
There is one group, who I will meet very soon, that is dedicated to hunting dragons but therein lies the problem; they only hunt dragons. Not bad but not ideal. Moreover the group is effectively broken as of now and will need significant time and resources before they can start to make a dent against the dragon threat. The Companions are not to sneeze at as well, but they will never pick up magic with Kodlak as Harbinger.
So I need a different group, one that's passionate about protecting their homeland and willing to use magic that is effective against dragons. I've picked up on the disheartening fact from conversations that magic is not as easy for others as it is for me (though whether its because I am the Dragonborn or a player character in a simulation I do not know), so they will have to be quite dedicated as well. I could start a cult using my status as Dragonborn, but I don't wanna. So instead I need someone else to lead this group. Someone with wealth and/or status would be preferable but they must be passionate, powerful and relatively easy to convince. I can think of only one person who fits that description.
"Hrongar." I say, climbing the steps to what I've taken to calling internally the 'War Nook'.
"Dragonborn!" Hrongar says, pulling up from a tactical map. "What are you still doing here? The Greybeards are waiting for you!"
"Even the Dragonborn has to prepare for the journey to High Hrothgar my friend." I reply, putting on an air. Neither Lydia nor Camilla are with me and that makes it easier to assume a more sanctimonious persona.
"Of course, my apologies. Did you need something then? My brother should be downstairs." Hrongar says.
"Actually I was looking for you." I reply
"Really? What for?" he says, taken aback.
"I've been troubled by my departure. I know I must go but I don't want to leave Whiterun defenseless. To that end I've received a vision of Whiteruns protectors, to ones who will keep her safe while I am gone." I explain. "You are leading them, Hrongar."
"I don't understand." he says, "What are you talking about?"
"I think I've received a vision from the Gods Hrongar. A vision where you lead a group of divine warriors to defend Whiterun and beyond. The Steeds of Whiterun." I say, making up nonsense on the spot, aided in part by a potion of glibness I purchased just for this interaction.
"That would be a great honor." Hrongar says with a nod. "But I'm afraid I still don't understand. Why did the Gods give you the vision and not me?"
"Probably because I asked for it, but also because I think I am to help you start on the path. Your first step will be to revive the Gildergleam. I'm not sure on the details but I've seen a vision of the temple priestess who can help us." I answer, pretending to be mystified by my pretend revelation.
"Danica Pure-Spring, priestess of Kynareth here in Whiterun. That makes sense." Hrongar explains, scratching his chin
"You don't have to do this Hrongar. I know you're busy here helping your brother and I wouldn't judge you as lesser for staying here with your family." I say, knowing perfectly well Hrongar doesn't do anything here besides eating and training.
"I'm just surprised is all. Let me have a word with my brother and we'll get started." he says, trying to hide his excitement.
-
The conversation with Balgruuf goes surprisingly well, which shouldn't be that surprising given what I know of Hrongar. I don't think the Jarl hates his brother but he's a bit of a pain if I'm reading the room right. Even in the game all he did was eat, train and complain that Whiterun should fling itself head long into the civil war on the side of the Imperials to anyone who would listen. I'm guessing this version of Hrongar isn't too different. Honestly that'll make him perfect if we can transfer that energy for war into energy for fighting dragons.
Pure-Spring obviously didn't know about my divine vision but she did have an idea about how to revive the Gildergleam, which to Hrongar seems to be the same thing. He seems to be convinced now that the vision I received was directly from Lady Kynareth, Goddess of the wind, sky and nature, who's extremely tied to the Gildergleam and its parent, the Eldergleam. I openly agreed with him, mostly because I think the divine factor is very important for motivating Hrongar.
Though the upperclasses here may call themselves Jarls and Thanes and whatnot, they are still rich royals behind it all, and loath to leave their palaces for anything that's not wildly glorifying or enriching. Not when they can send people like me to go instead, so it's really important I emphasize the glory and power Hrongar will receive at the end of this. It's also why I'm only escorting him halfway on his quest, to make it really easy to achieve early results without taking credit (and the first part is on the way to High Hrothgar).
We gather Lydia and Camilla, who I told to get ready, and we leave.
-
"What if I see my brother?" Camilla whines as we approach Riverwood.
"We could go on. If we push we could reach Orphans Rock by tonight." Hrongar offers eagerly.
"I think I'd rather deal with Hagravens than my brother…" Camilla sighs.
"We should fight the Hags in the daylight. You can just hide in the inn if you don't want to see Lucan, Camilla. Or you could talk to him. You never know, he might actually be sorry for what he said the last time." I say casually.
"I doubt that."
-
We don't see Lucan at the Sleeping Giant inn in town, or really anywhere, but we also don't stop at his shop to check either. I do see Alvor again, first at his forge and then later at the inn when he stops by for drinks, much to Horngar's delight. We've arrived fairly early in Riverwood and could have probably reached Helgen if we ran, but I would rather we take advantage of waystops when traveling and I have another use for the extra time. Stilling on what looks to me like a picnic table inside the inn I produce two tomes, Ward and Healing for Hrongar to study. He is less than thrilled.
"This is for snowberries like Farengar, why should I bother with this." he groans, after the first hour.
"Because Restoration spells are deeply connected with the divine. There are even offensive magics that you could use to smite your enemies, but those are a little more complicated. These are basic spells but they happen to be the most effective for dragons, especially their breath."
He doesn't look happy but gets back to reading. For the next few hours we go over the materials but he seems to really struggle with it. When Alvor shows up at the inn I end the study session so he can enjoy a well deserved drink.
-
I slip out while everyone's asleep, dressed in the simple tunic I wear for comfy time. I make my way behind a nearby wall and change into my armor before finding one of the guards on night duty.
"Need something?"
"I'm with the Companions. I'm told that one of these houses has a wild animal inside that needs to be put down." I explain.
"There's a bear that's taken up residence in one of the abandoned homes on the other side of the river. It hasn't hurt anyone yet but it's just a matter of time. It's that one, by the fallen tree." he explains, showing me the house.
"Thank you."
"Thank you. Thought we were going to have to tangle with that thing ourselves. Are you sure you'll be alright? You look a little small to be fighting bears." he says, eyeing me through his close helmet.
"I'll be alright. I'm bigger on the inside, if you know what I mean." I say, smiling to myself.
"I'm not sure that I do. Just be careful, alright?"
"I will. Thank you."
The house is about as damp and dilapidated as you'd expect an abandoned structure of mainly wood and hay to be in a river town. The door's fallen away but I can't tell if that's from the bear or neglect. I cast Candlelight, a spell that creates a ball of white light by the caster, to get a good look. I realize that I can see perfectly well inside from the outside and that the bear, if it's here, is likely in the basement. I creep through the door quietly, looking around carefully in case I missed the beast curled up in a darker corner of the house and come to a pool of shadows that leads to the basement.
I can tell the bear has definitely been here, but am unwilling to climb down the old wooden steps to confirm if it's here. Instead I ponder the steps themselves, which turns out to be a sturdy ladder on a slope. I pick up the top of the ladder stairs and tip it over, sending the only way in or out with a clatter.
"Brwar!"
The bear is definitely in there but it's got no chance of climbing out again, not unless it's twice the size of the one back in Helgen. It creeps into view, looking at me and the stairs, unsure of what to do just yet. It sniffs the ladder while eyeing me suspiciously and it gets close enough for me to strike. I cast the shrink spell on the bear and it roars instantly. I don't think there is any pain, but there's definitely a sensation to the red energy siphon I'm casting. The bear charges the wall and tries to leap at me but the height is too great for the now shrinking bear to scale. I pop magicka potions as needed, until the beast is half its original size and can't take chunks out of the stonework anymore. Then I let my reserves return naturally but now the bear has retreated to an unseen corner of the basement, aware that it's losing somehow.
I hop into the pit now, mentally prepared to wrestle the dog sized bear. What I did not expect is it to be huddled in a corner, absolutely terrified. This feels like animal abuse now, but I did come here to kill the creature in the first place. I tell myself that the bear is only acting like this because the tables have turned and I use the shrinking spell once more. The bear lets out more of a yelp this time as it's too small to properly do a bear roar anymore but doesn't attack me, instead running around to try and get away frantically. I follow it with my spell, wondering if it wouldn't be more human to just stab the bear with my sword when something hits my helmet from above.
My head smacked into an old lantern at the top of the ceiling and I realize that my head is nearly touching the ceiling. I put a hand to the boards that even the bear at its standing height would have struggled to reach with a kind of awe. I'm beginning to make progress with the spell, and will soon be relatively unstoppable I realize.
The bear clatters through some old refuse and I remember that it's still here. It's so small and I easily pick it up by the scruff of the neck like a cat and stare at the exhausted animal. Any thoughts I had about being merciful are drowned by the realization that I could extract just a little more power from it. I begin to suck away again, draining the last of the bears existence as I added to my own, bending my neck just to stand in the room. It ends all too quickly as the bear goes from the size of a cat, to a rat, to an egg and finally to nothing.
I'm left with a feeling of satisfaction for a moment. I look upon the old basement and realize with a smile that nothing in here is built for my size, from the old chairs and tables to even simple bookshelves that would be inconvenient for me to bend down for. My satisfaction is short lived however, as soon I begin to shrink back down. That's the next step if I remember the mod correctly; retaining your size. Right now anything that I suck will be impermanent until I reach a new lever of mastery. With a sigh I hoist myself out of the basement while I'm still tall and wait in the old house until I'm relatively normal sized again before returning to the inn.
-
We leave Riverwood early the next day, with Hrongar and Camilla eager to leave. We never saw Lucan but I promised Alvor that we would return to supper with his family again after we saw the Greybeards. I'm hoping that word will spread and that maybe Lucan will be ready with a warmer heart for Camilla's sake but who knows. Alvor tells me Lucan's been pretty sour these days but that's as much as I got from our brief conversation.
The trip to Helgen is beautiful, even more so than I remember. Maybe it's because I'm not escaping a dragon or because I've got a full belly or two very pretty ladies at my side (plus a Hrongar) but I really don't think I'd mind living the rest of my life here. Nothing attacks us on our way but I wonder how long that will last. Even if it was Alduin, a dragon attack can only suppress the hostile wildlife for so long. Still any notion that this would be an easy trip were dispelled by the sight of Helgen itself.
"By the Gods. I heard the stories but to see it for myself…" Hrongar says in awe.
"Are those bodies?" Camilla says hesitantly.
"Someone put the burnt corpses on pikes to make themselves look more scary than they are. Be careful, it looks like bandits have already moved in.
The gate is locked but it's not really a problem. Simply moving one of the badly planted wooden spikes out of the way grants us entry through a dragon made hole not far from the door. We are immediately beset by the sounds of bandits calling out our position. What happens next is a blur as Camilla and I chase Hrongar and Lydia up and down the ruins of Helgen as they slaughter every last bandit that dared challenge us. No mercy was given to the dozen men and women here, and it's much the same on the inside. Another dozen bandits taken down, one after the other, as Whiterun's finest steam roll the keep. Only their leader put up any kind of fight but with my help the balance was easily tipped.
After that blitzkrieg of a victory I convinced everyone that Helgen would be the perfect spot to rest, given that it's a day from Iverstead and very close to Orphans rock where Nettlebane was. After convincing Hrongar that fighting Hagravens in the dark would be a bad idea, we settled down in the kitchen area for some dinner.
"Hrongar," I say munching on a cheese sandwich, "are you going to work on those spells tonight?"
"I've been thinking about just that very thing." he says. "With all due respect to you Dragonborn, I don't believe it necessary. If Kyne wanted someone who could cast spells I believe she would have chosen someone else. Maybe someone from the College, or Farengar at the very least. Instead she chose me and I think she wants a warrior, the kind who is unafraid to fight giants and dragons with his bare hands if he must. That is who I am and who I will be for Whiterun and the Gods."
"Ok."
I'm not arguing. He's either is the man for the job or he's not. I can't hold his hand, not for much longer anyway. I was never going to have a lot of time to devote to this project in the first place. The Blades, despite there only being two of them currently, should come together nicely as an anti dragon force and they'll actually listen to what I have to say. I know they can't protect every settlement but maybe that's all I can hope for. Unless I get so big that I can pluck dragons out of the sky anywhere in Skyrim I guess.
-
Waking up in Helgens barrack on the very bed I hid from Imperials under is a very surreal experience, like visiting a place again without the festival you originally came for being there. It's more than a little haunting so I'm more than happy to skip a sit down breakfast to move.
We march towards Orphans Rock today without delay. Hrongar and Lydia both seem to know generally where it is (which is great because everything looks like forest and there are no quest markers) . We find a small marked rock pillar o more than ten minutes away from the gate that marks the path to what they tell me is actually supposed to be a monument, though no one remembers today what for. Either side of the path to get there is dense with foliage. I remember that even in the game it was hard to spot the witches that lived here through the foliage.
"They might be hiding." I say. "Be careful."
Not a minute later and a Firebolt whizzes past Lydia's head. Hrongar immediately runs in the direction the fire came from, disappearing into the brush.
"Wait!" I cry, but he's already gone.
Lydia, to her credit, doesn't run off like she did in Helgen and I motion for the three of us to continue on the path. If I remember the brush gives way the closer we get. In a few moments I can see the rock, functionally a butte, with a camp behind it resting on the slow erosion pile from the mountain and a large dead tree serving as a bridge. I can see the figure that must be the Hagraven, a humanoid woman with dark feathers adoring her, but before I can get a good look at her she flings a wad of fire at us.
"Get down!" I scream because I know from personal experience that a Hagraven never casts anything less than Fireball.
I don't even have time to bring a Ward up before the explosion rocks us. Theres a flash of heat and flame and debris thrown everywhere. Even for a miss everyone still felt the impact.
"Get behind the trees!" I yell, practically dragging Camilla back as I do.
Another fireball breaks behind us. It was better aimed but the trees did their jobs. I'm unsure of how destructive fireball is so I eye the trees carefully as the spell hits. Given the damage I guess a single normal tree can take two or three of those impacts before falling.
"What do we do?" Camilla asks, obviously scared.
"You should probably stay here. We have to run at the spell casters and kill them as quickly as possible. I can Ward some of the damage if you can cut off their heads." I say to Lydia. A Fireball cracks a tree behind us.
"Sounds good to me." Lydia responds with a nod.
"Wait, you're not leaving me, are you?" Camilla says with a serious look.
"You can follow us-" I say, pausing as a Fireball decimates the tree line. "-or stay here. I don't care which."
I do not wait for a response. I outstretched my left hand and trembling cast Ward. I run with Lydia up to the camp, managing to dodge the explosions somehow. We find a witch waiting for us, an old woman who looks uglier than perhaps she should be with lighting in her hands. She casts a few bolts but was too close to Lydia for it to matter. Another Fireball shatters my Ward, protecting Lydia but blowing me back. I slide down the incline, burned and bruised but knowing the Hag can't aim at me while I'm flat on my back. I use Healing to dull the pain and after a moment spring back up when I hear another explosion. Clambering back up the slope I see an on-fire Hrongar charging forward on the butte of the Hagraven with his greatsword. A moment later he impales her.
She is not the same kind of hagraven as in the vanilla game. No, I used mods to make the Hagravens much more pleasant to look at. Basically they are white MILF's with bird feet and killer nails. With raven black hair, bangin' bod, and luscious lips on a sultry face they are a far cry from the ugly beady eyed hags from the games. At least physically.
The one on the end of Hrongar sword lulls over, for a moment, seemingly in the throes of death before snapping back and plunging her talons deep into Hrongar's flesh. Hrongar tries to shake her off but even he can't shake off the bird witch. I start running, remembering what Hagravens truly are. They're witches who've sold a portion of their humanity for unnatural powers and monstrous bodies. The hag closes in her face to Hrongar's and for a moment it looks like she's about to give him a kiss before she moves further up. Wrapping her plump lips around Hrongar's left eye I hear a sickening *pop* as his eyeball leaves his skull and fills her mouth. Hrongar screams and the hagraven gives a wicked grin, mouth bloody and full, before pushing off of the sword. When she lands the beautiful bird woman swallows and gives a bloody smile.
That smile carries into the air as Lydia decapitates her. Hrongar clutches his bleeding face in agony and I pull out my largest healing potion to pour on him. The pain eases at least and he starts to breathe a bit easier.
"Thank you Dragonborn. Thank you." he says as he still clutches his empty socket. I really don't know what to do about that. I don't know how to heal others yet and even if Hrongar had learned Healing he wouldn't be at a level to regenerate eyeballs. Instead I search for any cloth that looks even remotely clean and fashion it into a makeshift eyepatch for Hrongar with some wool.
Camilla comes out of the woods at this point, but I don't give her a hard time since now it's time to go over the enemy's loot. I notice something that might be similar to contempt in Lydia's eyes but it's only there briefly. We find Nettlebane inside the Hagravens tent and pass it to Hrongar, along with an Orcish greatsword; green, ugly and great for chopping enemies.
"It's not a replacement for your eye but I think it's better than nothing." I say, handing him the jagged blade.
"Well might as well get something out of it to prove my story. My brother won't believe a word of it otherwise." he says, running his thumb along the edge.
We find quite the small haul, mostly bits and baubles but they'll sell. Especially the gemstones. I find a trio of religious amulets, one for Zenithar, Debellia and Kynareth at the bottom of a chest in the hags camp. Perhaps the witches used them in profane rituals or something. After cleaning them I hand Hrongar the amulet of Kynarth, which he accepts gladly, and Camilla the amulet of Zenithar.
"Thanks. I could use a little protection after that last battle. Zenithar is the merchant's God so this is perfect." she says, donning the amulet. It's a metal puck on a string with an avail carved into the face basically, but it's been artfully done.
It's honestly one of my favorite amulet designs from the game. The others are a little too complicated for my tastes, and that includes the amulet of Debellia I've kept back (but am not wearing for fear Camilla might become jealous). It's a very curvy flower in the shape of a water drop with a pale purple gem at its center. In the game the amulet of Debellia increased your speech by ten points while Zenithar gave you ten percent better prices which is perfect for both of us. I'll put it on at some point out of sight and then if I have to use those ten extra speech points to convince her I need it more.
"So you'll be headed to High Hrothgar to see the Greybeards then?" Hrongar asks, much happier after draining a bottle of mead. His hand hardly leaves his new amulet, like some kind of stress object. It's a flat tear drop shaped, purple with a bird riding the air currents. A tiny sky blue gem rests inside the bird at the amulets center.
"That's the plan. You're welcome to come with us. It's Kynarth's sacred mountain, and the Gildergleam isn't going anywhere." I say, pulling out more bread and cheese.
"I accept. I think it'll be a real eye opening experience." he says.
Nobody laughs, except Hrongar, who gives a full belly laugh after seeing our faces.
-
We jog through Greyrock pass, the road through the mountains between Falkreth and the Reach. It gets its name from the lovely sheer grey rock that surrounds the entire road, making it one long choke point. After encountering three goats we make it out of the pass, but get spotted by a Stormcloak patrol who make note of us but don't stop us because I wisely decided to wear the hide armor Alvor gifted me halfway down the Greyrock. We make it to Ivarstead with twilight to spare. The town is roughly comparable to Riverwood but definitely smaller and bleaker looking. Unlike the verdant valley Riverwood, nestling in the grey stones of the world's tallest mountain give the town a drained appearance with only the river that surrounds it adding any meaningful life. To be fair it has little going for it in the game too, serving nearly the exact same purpose of just being a way station to High Hrothgar. I'm a little more grateful for it now though, since I need sleep.
The Vilemyr inn is a cozy little inn built much like the Sleeping Giant from Riverwood. It too is very similar to the inn in Riverwood but necessarily a carbon copy. The innkeeper is a pleasant older Nord of little hair who works with a serving girl that he dotes on, probably because she's very easy to look at and has an excellent singing voice. The food isn't special but it is warm and helps us fall asleep in our beds.
-
The town's economy is dominated by the lumber mill, already working at processing wood in the wee hours. The rest of the town is awake as well, but fishermen and farmers don't make half as much noise. Up ahead a Wood Elf is talking with a Nord while leaning against the bridge out of town.
"On your way up the 7,000 Steps again, Klimmek?" he asks, his brown skin and long ears contrasting with the Nords pale body and closely shaven head.
"Not today. I'm just not ready to make the climb to High Hrothgar. The path isn't safe." Klimmek says, eyeing the path past the bridge warily.
"Aren't the Greybeards expecting some supplies?" the Bosmer asks.
"Honestly, I'm not certain." the Nord replies, scratching his light brown beard. "I've yet to be allowed into the monastery. Perhaps someday."
"Apologies but I and my companions couldn't help overhearing. We are headed up the 7,000 steps and would be honored to carry those supplies." Hrongar says, smiling like he hadn't lost an eye yesterday.
"Really? That would be kind of you. Here, take this bag of supplies. At the top of the steps you'll see the offering chest. Just leave the bag inside and you're done." Klimmek says gratefully.
"I understand. I'll make sure the Greybeards get this. Come on times a wastin'." Hrongar says, cheerfully in his own way.
A great stone bridge lies before us the same color as the mountain, perhaps a little greener where it meets the water. The bridge is plain but it is impressive for a town of this size and a river this rapid, with water rushing by in miniature rocky waterfalls. The steps lay at the end of the bridge waiting for us are grander and seemingly older than the bridge, at least from what I can tell. There's a strange warping in them that only happens when thousands of people touch the same place, especially at the beginning. As we ascend the steps there are little stone monuments that detail the history of this place, in a shape that reminds me of Japanese shrines. In the game I would have ignored them but I need all the context I can get now so I stop and read them with everyone else.
I
Before the birth of men, the Dragons ruled all
Mundus.
Their word was the Voice, and they spoke only for
True Needs.
For the Voice could blot out the sky and flood the
land.
II
Men were born and spread over the face of
Mundus
The Dragons presided over the crawling masses
Men were weak then, and had no Voice
III
The fledgling spirits of Men were strong in Old
Times
Unafraid to war with Dragons and their Voices
But the Dragons only shouted them down and
broke their hearts
IV
Kyne called on Paarthurnax, who pitied Man
Together they taught Men to use the Voice
Then Dragon War raged, Dragon against Tongue
V
Man prevailed, shouting Alduin out of the world
Proving for all that their Voice too was strong
Although their sacrifices were many-fold
It's here that the mountain becomes very cold and Camilla and I bust out the winter gear (that Lydia remembered to bring). Hrongar and Lydia don't add any layers, but I guess those are just the perks of being a Nord. The wind is bitterly cold and the snow is anything but fresh and crunches harshly beneath our feet. Another benefit to having Nord companions is they apparently eat Ice Wraiths for breakfast, elemental ice spirits that take the form of a floating snake fish ice skeleton. A pack descended on us and before I could even work out how to fight with all my layers they had all exploded into piles of harmless blue snowflakes.
VI
With roaring Tongues, the Sky-Children conquer
Founding the First Empire with Sword and Voice
Whilst the Dragons withdrew from this World
VII
The Tongues at Red Mountain went away humbled
Jurgen Windcaller began His Seven Year
Meditation
To understand how Strong Voices could fail
VIII
Jurgen Windcaller chose silence and returned
The 17 disputants could not shout Him down
Jurgen the Calm built His home on the Throat of
the World
IX
For years all silent, the Greybeards spoke one name
Tiber Septim, stripling then, was summoned to Hrothgar
They blessed and named him Dohvakiin
X
The Voice is worship
Follow the Inner path
Speak only in True Need
I watch as Hrongar and Lydia wrestle an attacking frost troll, like the one that attacked me but white and worse, and throw it over the edge of the mountain like it owed them money. I understand it interrupted what was supposed to be a very spiritual process but I think Nords get a little too excited when it comes to violence sometimes. Camilla and I share a look, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so. High Hrothgar is a very peaceful place, for the victor anyway.
Beyond the last monument I can see it at last, the monetary where the Greybeards live. It's built a bit like a fortress wall, with dark imposing stone and steep angles that would be great at repelling attackers. It seems a little odd but knowing what I know about the monks it actually makes sense. They are the keepers of ancient magic coveted by many powerful people. That and their leader is a massive war criminal hiding at the top of the mountain. Even faced with the reality of the ancient monastery it's hard to stay reverent when in another life I've already spent so much time here.
At the bottom of the staircase Hrongar opens the offering chest and places the supplies inside as well as a bag of what sounds like gold, a fitting offer for royalty I suppose. It's better than a weapon by far. Not only do they have no need of them, but it would also probably be offensive as well. When he finishes Hrongar turns to the rest of us.
"This is as far as I go. No doubt the Greybeards will allow anyone who accompanies the Dragonborn inside, but I am simply not worthy of that honor." Hrongar says, hand tracing his empty socket. I'm actually shocked by this, and it must have shown because he continues with "I realized that you were right, just as I was getting my eye eaten by that Hagraven. When confronting the dark and terrible things of this world you need the light of the Divines by your side. I will meditate here for a time and return to Whiterun on my own. When I make it back I will make study my mission until I can wield that divine power sufficiently to move on to the next leg of my quest. I thank you for all you have done. Without you, Dragonborn, I would still be wasting away in my brother's palace, no good to anyone. I wish you luck, my friend, and hope to see you again."
And with that he bids us enter, Hrongar traveling all this way just to be the doorman to High Hrothgar and the mysterious Greybeards within.