Wow, I suck at this game. I can't even figure out how to talk to that blacksmith without gettig my ass destroyed.
On the ps3? When you walk up to him there should be an option to hit x to talk to him. So you hit x, and you talk to him. It gets a little tricky, but I believe in you.
I can't get close enough... Whenever I Approach the town, the music gets really dramatic and everyone starts attacking me... They yell things like "we don't take kindly to your kind" and "you'll never leave Skyrim alive"
Edit*
Found this online
"Once you arrive at the village of Riverwood, you will be directed to speak to Alvor, the local smith (if you chose to follow Hadvar during the flight from Helgen) or Gerdur (if you chose to follow Ralof). Explain your situation and he/she will recommend you seek out the Jarl of the region, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater at his palace, Dragonsreach. They will also offer you what assistance they can to get you started.
If you talk to Alvor, he will give you a mini-quest to learn smithing."
I don't have anyone traveling with me.