Chapter 1: A Friend Forgotten POV- Jakev

It had been two years since I had last seen Avalyn. Two years since I had wished her well as she went off to defeat Alduin and fulfill her destiny as Dragonborn.

"We've beaten him before," she said, "don't worry about me. I'll meet you in Riften. It might take a while." Though her voice stayed strong, there was no mistaking the panic in her eyes. "I'll see you soon."

"Lyn? Are you okay?" I asked. "You look rather pale." Her normally tan skin, uncommon for a Nord such as herself, was a milky white. Well, no wonder she's scared, I thought, anyone would be in her place.

"I… I'm fine. Just… Wait for me at Honeyside, will you? Tell Brynjolf I'll be a while."

"Of course. Wouldn't want him to think his new Guildmaster had deserted." Acting on impulse, I stepped forward, embracing her. Her heart was racing, her thin veneer of calm threatening to crack. "You'll be fine, Lyn. You're one of the best warriors Skyrim has ever seen."

"Heh… Sure. Just one more dragon, right?" Despite her fear, she managed to twist her lips into something resembling a smile. "Nothing new there."

"That's the spirit. When, not if, you get back you can regale me with tales of your battle prowess over a mug of ale at the inn, yes? I'll be waiting." I smiled gently. "Lyn, look at me."

She raised her head, eyes wide and scared. "Yeah?"

"I know you can do this. We've been through hundreds of battles together, remember? And we've won each and every one of them. Why should this be any different?" As I spoke, I could feel her trembling violently, and her shoulders shook with tiny, rapid breaths. She was crying.

"It's just that," she said. Tears streaked her face as she raised her eyes to meet mine. In them, I saw a side to my friend I'd never thought existed before. It was raw terror, fear so great it shook me to my very core. Voice cracking, she whispered, "I'm going to be alone."

She turned away, hiding her face from the crowd. It's as if I was paralyzed. I opened my mouth to say something, anything. But what could I say to that? "Lyn, no! Wait!" I yelled. I was too late.

Two years ago today I had watched as Odahviing spread his wings and took flight, Avalyn on his back. I hadn't stopped thinking about her since.