Good on you for avoiding cheats.

Add details like available mats for armor and weapons. 2-star draugr are real ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to deal with, i freshly remember. I will say this every chance i get; Learn to roll.

How far into the swamps are you? Is there a chance to kite something to him or him to something?

Perhaps build a bench dig a pit and kite him there and knock him in.

Also, barring anything else, killing the Elder again isn't that bad an option.