Lydia

• Posted by Porklet December 20, 2011 - 986 views

  So I was wondering what my first ever blog would be about, on this, my favourite site on the web.  I racked my brain for a whole day, and played some Skyrim for some inspiration.  My girlfriend entered the room whilst I was playing and casually asked "What's Lydia up to?"

  And then it hit me.  Like a bolt of lightning from the hand of an angry mage.  Lydia!  With my main character, I decided to take Lydia along with me, as I was playing as someone with a background of no previous combat ability.  I figured by taking her along with me on my adventures, I imagined that she would train me as I progressed.

  And so, Lydia became a regular part of my Skyrim experience.  We would kill bandits together, hunt wolves, harass trolls, and discuss existential angst with friendly dragons on top of mountains.  We went everywhere together.  We were a team.  We were professional.  We were happy. But as time went on, I noticed (or perhaps imagined), Lydia becoming increasingly unhappy with her lot.  She would always moan when asked her to carry something for me – even when it was a new set of Orcish armour that I had painstakingly taken the time to make for her.  “I am sworn to carry your burdens…”  She would say with an edge of disdain in her voice.  “But Liddles, I made it for you… it looks great on you…  Lydia?”  The only response I got was a blank look and a change of subject.  “Are we heading out?”

  Things only got worse from then on.  She would clear her throat on purpose as I was trying to sneak through a barrow full of Draugr.  She would box me into small areas, refuse to let me out, and then complain by shouting “Ooh!” when I attempted to barge her out of the way, despite repeatedly asking her to move.  She would set off traps so that they hit me, despite the fact that I had purposely avoided them.  “Now Lydia”, I would say, “There is a pressure plate on the floor just up here.  Whatever you do, don’t tread on it…”  But she wouldn’t listen.  And that’s when I started to suspect that her heart just wasn’t in it anymore.

  After putting up with this disruptive behaviour, the awkward silences, and her increasing disdain for my every action, I decided to end it.  “Lydia… I think we should part ways…”  As I suspected, she wasn’t phased by it.  She almost looked relieved and told me that she was going back to Breezehome, the home that we shared together in Whiterun.  I told her she could have the house, but that I would pop by and say hi from time-to-time.  But I haven’t been able to bring myself to go and see her.  It is just too fresh still, and too awkward.

  I have a new house now, in Solitude, and a new Housecarl – Jordis the Sword-Maiden.  She is quite amiable, and helpful.  But we just don’t seem to have that initial connection I had with Lydia.  She doesn’t have that fire and personality that I came to expect from Lydia, and I think she may have a bit of a drinking problem…

  I still think of Lydia from time-to-time though, when I am sneaking through a cave on my own.  Or when I sidestep a pressure plate or step over a trip wire.  I hope she is happier in life now, and that she one day finds another Dragonborn to go adventuring with – because I know I will never find another Lydia.