I'm usually not one for role playing. I love RPGs but I don't actually envision myself as the character I'm playing. However, something within the game happened, and it took me a moment to realize I was affected emotionally enough to do some sort of mental semi - subconscious role playing . Read on if you're interested.

Meeko's shack was one of the first places I found from actual exploring. I found the dead Nord, and read his journal. I stood there for probably 20 minutes hoping to find this dog he spoke of, but to no avail, so I decide to continue exploring. Seeing Meeko run up towards me, then dart passed me into the shack startled me. I ran around and entered the shack to find Meeko barking at his recently-deceased master, as if to say "Wake up!"

From that moment on, (although I did not realize it at the time) my first mental role playing segments were beginning.

I took Meeko under my wing, and did everything in my power to protect him. At times he became an actual burden, as my thief character's stray arrows always seemed to find Meeko's face. Anytime something happened to him, I would reload, sometimes hours back, in order to resurrect my furry friend. We've slain giants, dragons, bandits, and necromancers together, and every time I saw Meeko kill an enemy with a lunging bite to the throat, I was giddy with glee.

Because of Meeko's awesomeness (and in part my character being a thief) I did not seek out an actual follower. Just my dog and me, 2 against the world. After loong hours with just Meeko, I finally decided to try out a follower, recruited Janessa, and gave her the best gear possible. She had Nightingale/Dark brotherhood armor with an Ebony Bow.

Virtually right off the bat, I noticed a problem. Janessa would carry the superior ebony bow on her back, but more often than not, when we entered combat, she'd switch back to her wooden shortbow for no apparent reason. I decide to let it go, hoping her stock bow isn't absolutely pitiful, and give her another chance to prove her usefulness.

Eventually we enter a dungeon. Now a trio, we make our way through fighting Drouger and bandits. After each battle, I turn around to find my furry friend standing there wagging his tail, making strange sounds I've never actually heard any other dog make before. I've come to know this strange whining/choking sound and be comforted by its origin.

Finally, we make our way to the end. Still sneaking, I hear a casket burst open, and out pops a dragon priest.

It was one of the most difficult fights I've had in the game, and loved every second of it. Meeko did his best to keep the priest focused on him as Janessa and I fired away. Eventually, I see Meeko turn around and start running away. I have no time to ponder this however, as the priest makes a beeline right for me. I coat each arrow w/ damage health poison and hope I can kill him before his deadly ice/fire spells run me through.

With a sliver of health left, my final arrow brings the priest to nothing but a powder of Ash. Victory!... then I remember: Why did Meeko just run away from the priest like that?

I turn around to see a harrowing scene: Janessa and Meeko are attacking each other. This is where the RP segments really kick in.

I take off at a dead sprint to Meeko with healing hands prepped and ready. But just as I reach him, he keels over, dead. Janessa sheathes her bow "Glad that's over."

On impulse, I instantly rain arrows into her face, and she's quickly killed. Still in shock, I take a moment to anolyze the carnage before me. One of Janessa's arrows must have hit Meeko, prompting him to defend himself. He was so hurt by Janessa's betrayal, he obviously felt he had to neutralize her as a threat to me.

I was hoping Meeko had something from his body I could loot to keep as a memento, but the seditious dark elf must have already taken it. I thought about reloading, but decided Meeko had earned some peace. Realizing the only way I can gain proper closure was by truly embracing the element of role playing.

I cradled Meeko in my arms and carried him out of the dungeons (leaving Janessa to rot with the Drouger). I traveled back to his shack with the intent of burying him. Seeing his former master's corpse still on the bed, I decide to 'bury' them side by side.

I said a few words in remembrance. Meeko was the most loyal friend a wood elf could ever ask for.

His epitaph read: "Now scratching on Sovngarde's door."

THE END.

I found Meeko as well, but I just left him in my house in Solitude so he can annoy my Housecarl with his incessant barking.

But anyways ... umm sorry for your virtual loss.

Nice job, you failed to protect Meeko. How can you look at yourself in the mirror?

Cool story, bro. Now imagine having RP experiences like that constantly, and for every character you play. You've been missing out.