The Blessings of Nature

Walkthrough
If you speak to Danica Pure-Spring either at the Temple of Kynareth or by Gildergreen, she will mention that while the tree looks dead, it is only "hibernating" and can be revived with Eldergleam Sap. However, Eldergleam sap can only be obtained from one tree located in the Eldergleam Sanctuary and that tree can only be reached by cutting through its protective roots with a special blade known as Nettlebane.

Danica then explains that Nettlebane is in the hands of some hagravens at Orphan Rock.

Retrieve Nettlebane
Once at Orphan Rock, the Dragonborn must fight past some hags and one hagraven to get to the blade.

Bring Nettlebane to Danica
Returning to Whiterun with the blade, find out that Danica actually had not expected the Dragonborn to survive. She also will not even touch Nettlebane and sends the Dragonborn on to find the Eldergleam tree and get the sap.

At this point, an interested observer nearby, in the form of Maurice Jondrelle asks to join the party. If Maurice comes along, he can pose a bit of a problem as he charges unarmed into any and every battle. It is best to have already found the sanctuary and cleared the path there before doing this part of the quest.

Option 1



Retrieve Eldergleam sap
Once at the sanctuary, the Dragonborn can use Nettlebane to cut through the Eldergleam Tree's roots and get the sap. Once this has been accomplished, the residents of the Sanctuary become hostile and the Dragonborn must fight the way out.
 * }

Option 2



Follow Maurice
Alternatively, if the Dragonborn has taken Maurice along, then he will offer an alternative solution to cutting the tree for the sap. He will pray for a new Eldergleam Sapling to be given to the cause, and the tree will do it.

Take sapling
The Dragonborn must then take the sapling from the foot of the Eldergleam tree. This route has the advantage of not angering the residents of the sanctuary, allowing for a peaceful exit.
 * }

Return to Danica
The Dragonborn can then return to Danica, either with the sap or with a sapling. She says she understands the cycle of life better through the Dragonborn's actions if a sapling has been brought back. Other NPCs will mention being inspired by the new sapling as they walk by.

Note

 * Returning with the sapling, actually makes the supposedly dead tree bloom again, no sign of the small sapling anywhere.

Der Segen der Natur