I am at the location where you get the first sword (blood-something-or-other) and I died fighting him because I wasn't watching my health. Now it won't let me pick up the sword so I can't try to fight him again. Please help.

Where was the save you reverted to when you died? You may have to reload one outside the ruin. I.e. before Bloodscythe spawned.

Would waiting 30 in game days work? Because my last save other than te one it reverts to (which is inside) is back towards the beginning of Solsthiem and I would rather not have to do it all over again.